The Roots of a Theater Company

THIS week my Influences column looked at Ellen Geer, who runs the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. For those many miles from the wilds of Topanga Canyon: This is a theater company, in a very rustic setting, founded by her father, blacklisted actor Will Geer, known to many as Grandpa Walton.

William Holman Hunt painting
inspired by "Measure for Measure"

Ellen Geer spoke to me about her family's struggles during the Red Scare, how she survived them, and about some theater figures who helped inspire her acting and her artistic direction of the theater company.

Here's the story. I'm hoping to check out one of their Shakespeare plays over the next few weeks.