Nebunele Theatre is a Seattle non-profit theatre company founded by Alissa Mortenson and Claytie Mason. They are dedicated to creating original plays in an ensemble style rehearsal process where no one person can take or give up complete responsibility for the work at hand. Each play is the product of what moves, delights or disturbs the individuals involved and requires a willingness to constantly change the way we think it works. Nebunele just finished the world premiere of their original play Cussing at the Moon to great acclaim and packed houses. Here's what some of Seattle's critics had to say:

"Nebunele's moon shines...The characters draw us into their world and keep us there. Although the story deals with family dysfunction and death, its serious subject matter is generously sprinkled with heart and humor, which is often physical and always entertaining."
-Steve Clare, The Examiner"

"Sometimes expectations are exceeded, even if expectations are high. Cussing at the Moon, an ensemble-created production by Nebunele Theatre (yes, a strange name) exceeds expectation...Choices of dialogue are sharp, to the point, and interesting..This is a lovely play, and it gets an unqualified "go see it."
-Miryam Gordon - SGN A&E Writer

Click here to view photos of Cussing at the Moon

Nebunele generally does one play a year with two performances. Our long development process includes a workshop performance, followed by time off to write and re-structure the script, and then a final performance of the completed work. We are in between projects at this time, so what are Claytie and Alissa up to right now?

Alissa Mortenson is working with Double Edge Theatre in Massachusetts on their upcoming summer spectacle of The Arabian Nights inspired by Marc Chagall's illustrations. Performances will be at Double Edge's Farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts, from July 29-August 22.

Claytie Mason is currently working on a new play with The Exit Theatre and acclaimed violinist Rebecca Jackson. Based on the old- timey ballad The Wind and the Rain about the terrible fate of two sisters and a mysterious fiddle made of bones, it is set to premiere at the 2010 Divafest in San Fransisco.