Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble

At SATE, we are an ensemble of creative collaborators that is defined by our people, known for our process and celebrated for our productions.
What's in a name? In our case, our name reveals our purpose: Ensemble. Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble (SATE) is a collective of artists from varying disciplines devoted to storytelling through text, movement, soundscape, original music, and the technical arts. We focus on presenting established works through a contemporary lens, and on the creation and development of new plays.

The rehearsal and production process by which SATE operates is unique in the cultural landscape, with a direct impact on the quality of the finished product.
Key Elements: Source Work, Character portraits, Composition, and movement training - inspired by The Viewpoints Book by Anne Bogart and Tina Landau, and Script feedback - inspired by Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process

With origins in the community theatre movement of the late 1990s, SATE grew into a non-Equity professional theatre company in January 2001. In this capacity, Off Center produced 15 shows from Jan 2001 to May 2005. Founding Artistic Director Margeau Baue Steinau took over directorship of the company in 2005, shortly after which, in 2006, Steinau and other local artists formed the Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble (SATE), under the umbrella of Off Center Theatre.

In 2005 SATE began offering weekly movement training based on Anne Bogart's and Tina Landau's Viewpoints and Tadashi Suzuki's movement methods. Viewpoints is a philosophy and training technique which uses a set of names given to certain principles of movement through time and space. The Suzuki method was developed from understanding ancient Greek theatre and Japanese performance styles, which emphasize physical strength and control.

SATE has also explored the Linklater Voice, Contact Improvisation, Pilates and Yoga, and more.

In 2010, leadership of the company transitioned to its current co-producers, Rachel Tibbetts and Ellie Schwetye. From that time, SATE began revisiting classical works, creating original plays, and curating contemporary scripts that delve into a single, seasonal theme.

SATE's active and conscious support of women artists makes the company innovative in the community. In 2017 SATE founded the Aphra Behn Festival as a process connecting women interested in directing and writing for theatre an opportunity to build experience, experiment, hone their craft, and connect with theatre professionals in a supported, collaborative atmosphere.

In 2020, SATE launched an Artistic Advisory Ensemble. This partnership of artists explores collaborative system-building and create institutional best practices.