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The Fellows Gazette Volume 70 Published by the College of Fellows of the American Spring 2016 10:00 am-11:00 am Mark Your Calendars Now! Sixteenth Roger L. Stevens Address Presented by Fellow Robert We’ll probably never match last year’s splendid 50th Year Golden Schenkkan Celebration until our centennial in 2065. However, our meeting in April 2016 is shaping up to be outstanding. Here’s the weekend 11:00 am-1:00 pm schedule: Luncheon and Investiture of New Fellows Friday, April 15 Distribution of The Fellows at 50! 5:00-6:30 pm Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Revival Restaurant 1:15 pm–2:30 pm Georgia College & Provost Kelli Brown host a Conversations with New Fellows wine and cheese reception in honor of Moderated by Fellow David Karen Berman, Dean-Elect Leong

7:30 pm 2:30 pm Adjournment Kennedy Center, Terrace Theatre Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes Presents The College of Fellows Coming Soon ! Jane Alexander Award Invitations for the Irene Ryan Evening of Saturday, April 16 Scenes, Saturday Reception, and Sunday 12 noon-4:00 pm Luncheon are mailed by the Kennedy Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Adams Room Center to all Fellows in early March. Board Meeting

Cost for the Saturday Reception $ 70 12 noon-4:00 pm

Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Madison Room Cost for the Sunday Luncheon $100 Video Interviews conducted by Kathy Perkins of:

Donna Aronson, Cheryl Black, John Eisner, The invitation will provide an RSVP card Cindy Phaneuf, and Ricardo Khan asking for 1) the number of tickets & 6:00 pm-7:00 pm names for the Friday Irene Ryan Evening Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Revival Restaurant of Scenes, 2) the number of people & Gala Reception Honoring New Fellows: names attending the Saturday reception, Donna Aronson, Cheryl Black, John Eisner, 3) the number of people & names for the Cindy Phaneuf, and Ricardo Khan Sunday Luncheon, and 4) if there are any Open Bar and Hors d’oeuvre dietary restrictions.

7:00 pm-8:00 pm Key Bridge Marriott Hotel, Revival Restaurant The RSVP card and check -- made Introduction of New Inductees payable to the College of Fellows of the Signing the Enrollment Register American Theatre to cover the reception The Orlin Corey Annual Fellows Toast offered by and luncheon – Fellow Jerry Crawford must be returned no later than April 4 to:

Sunday, April 17 F.J. Hildy Kennedy Center, South Opera Tier Lounge & South Treasurer, CFAT Opera Tier Box 3010 Silver Lake Court Adelphi, MD 20783-1461 9:00 am-10:00 am Coffee and Tea provided Business Meeting, Dean Robert Schanke presiding

The Fellows Gazette 1 company, some fully produced and others just read. Our DC Hotel Next April To allow audiences to hear the play read by actors is exposure for these playwrights.” Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, VA Her passion for being a conduit for women in the industry to be seen and heard was fueled by an All rooms reserved in our group block for $125 per experience early in her career. night have been reserved and confirmed. “When I was just out of college, I applied to be a By telephoning (800)676-2959 there are still a few directing intern at a prestigious theatre in Washington rooms available for purchase at the rates of: DC,” said Berman. “I was asked by the intern director ‘Why would you want to direct where there are no Thursday night - $175 women directors?’ She told me I’d never find a job Friday & Saturday night - $150 directing and that was devastating for me. I knew then Sunday night - $175 that women needed a voice in the industry.”

In addition, the hotel is currently offering a $179 rate From that experience Berman decided to be the voice for advanced purchase ONLINE on their website, for the voiceless, and that has taken several forms http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/waskb-key- over the course of her career. Whether it’s her work bridge-marriott/. You would need to prepay in full. through Washington Women in Theatre or courses she There is no refund if the room is cancelled. If you are teaches, Berman embodied the idea of using theatre to planning on definitely attending, this may be a good combat social issues. option. In order to get any reduced rate, make certain the hotel “At Georgia College I teach a class called Theatre for knows your reservation is part of the College of Social Change, and in that, college students work with Fellows of the American Theatre middle and high school students at Early College,” said Berman. “The college students work with younger students to create and perform plays focusing on social and health problems they may face.”

Introducing Dean-Elect Karen Learning through this and other similar courses she’s taught is twofold. Berman “Both the college and younger students are educated (The following article, written by Brittiny Johnson, Manager of Media on the problems associated with risky behavior Relations at Georgia College, appeared in the Union Recorder, October 27, 2015.) through their interactions. Meanwhile they are also exposed to diversity, a lifestyle different from their For eight years, Dr. Karen own and can see how they can actually make a Berman has served as the chair difference in the community, and that can be even of the Georgia College more impactful than the facts they learn.” Department of Theatre. During that time she has consistently That focus on making a difference in students goes focused on bringing diversity of beyond the classroom for Berman as well. Aside from thought not only to her students, the countless late-night rehearsals and meetings to but also to the patrons of her mentor students, she also is dedicated to using her department’s performances. connections to help her students get their feet in the door. Her career has spanned broad horizons including directing 0ff- “Since I was a casting director for many years Broadway plays, teaching both and have had a number of opportunities in the at Georgetown University in industry, I always try to use those contacts to help my Washington DC and Georgia College, as well as students get internships so they can make their own cofounding a theatre company called Washington connections in the industry,” she said. Women in Theatre, which strives to give voice to new women playwrights. The theatre company recently On top of her “day job,” Berman stays involved in the took part in the Women’s Voices Theatre Festival, theatre scene nationally through the College of debuting “Just Between Us: a piano, a mic and a Fellows of the American Theatre, in which she was memory” with Marilyn Hausfeld. inducted in 2008 and was elected the new Dean, to begin in April 2016. Berman has also served as “Washington Women in Theatre was created 12 years president of the Association for Theatre in Higher ago by myself and Sidra Rausch,” said Berman. Education (ATHE) from 2004 to 2007. “During that time, more than 50 plays by women playwrights have been performed thorough our theatre

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About Nominations JERRY L. CRAWFORD: Jerry is honored to have been selected by Nominations for new Fellows can now be completed Dean Robert Schanke and Fellow online! Shirley Corey to take up the torch for the esteemed and late Fellow, Fellows are still able to print off a hard copy of the Orlin Corey, as the presenter of the nomination form that is on the website and use that as annual Orlin Corey Fellows Toast at in the past. our annual conference. Orlin is the However, it would be much preferred if you completed author of the revered toast. Jerry’s your nominations online with the form provided. newly-released novella, Torpor, is available in paperback or e-book Now, you can create your letter of nomination and kindle. Fellow Frank Gagliano send it online. You can attach additional documents to authored the Foreword. your nomination, documents such as a CV or bio and send them online. FRANKLIN J. HILDY: Frank did a lecture tour of Ukraine funded by the Seconding letters may also be attached and sent US State Department in the fall of online. 2014 to promote the Ukrainian translation of History of the Theatre. Although we will accept nominations via the former In spring 2015 he attended the practice of hard copy that you send through the US Association of Historic in post office, using our new, online nomination process Europe conference in Warsaw and should prove to be much more efficient. toured Krakow. In fall 2015 he was elected as one of the first seven Senior Research Fellows of News of the Fellows Shakespeare’s Globe in London; along with English scholars Andrew Gurr and Martin White; well known ROBERT BENEDETTI: Robert has theatre professionals Mark Rylance and Claire van founded a new tax-exempt repertory Kampen; the architect for the Globe and Sam theatre group in Santa Fe called The Wanamaker playhouse Jon Greenfield and historic New Mexico Actors Lab. His first timber-frame building specialist Peter McCurdy. The season of three plays, all of which he spring of 2016 marks the end of his four-year term as will direct, will run June through treasurer and two years as a member of the Board for August this summer. The plays are the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. by , Driving Miss Daisy by , and Art by SAMUEL L. LEITER: In 2015 Sam Yasmina Reza. continued his newfound avocation of reviewing theatre on his blog, Theatre’s Leiter Side, as well as on the BEN CAMERON: After 9+ years, Ben websites of Theater Pizzazz and has left the Doris Duke Charitable Passport Magazine’s Broadway Blog. Foundation, effective January 1, 2016. He wrote 196 reviews during the year, He is now the new President of the and also published a review essay, Jerome Foundation in St. Paul MN. “Kabuki—Spooky and Kooky—Returns to New York,” for Impressions: the Journal of the Japanese Art Society of America. His book Kabuki at the Crossroads: Years of Crisis, 1952-1965 received a lengthy review in the same issue which called it “a JACK CLAY: On Halloween remarkable achievement, the most recent book in the weekend in , 75 indefatigable and astounding output of Samuel L. students who graduated from SMU Leiter.” Sam also completed his tasks as associate Theatre in the 70s and 80s gathered editor of the forthcoming Cambridge History of for a grand reunion. Those years Japanese Theatre. On February 29 Sam will serve as have been called “the golden moderator for a sold-out evening at New York’s Japan years” in their training. Present Society called “The Prince of Kabuki: Ebizō Ichikawa,” were faculty of the time--Fellow featuring a major kabuki star who will appear the next Jack Clay (head of the program), Peggy Loft (voice and night at Carnegie Hall in a program called “An Evening speech), James Hancock (movement), Gail Cronauer of Traditional Theatre.” (acting) and Dale Rose by Skype (acting). Together they celebrated with two dinners and breakfast—a noisy weekend full of laughter and tears. Jack spent News of the Fellows continued on page 4 the month of February in Oaxaca, Mexico.

The Fellows Gazette 3 Hacksaw Ridge, directed by Mel Gibson, will be News of the Fellows continued from page 3 released late in 2016.

DAVID LEONG: David just finished a very busy fall and JON WHITMORE: Jon will be living winter where he had Amazing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for six Grace the Musical and Fool for months, commencing January 15, Love on Broadway. Fool was 2016. He will be heading part-time listed by Ben Brantley of the New the American Degree Program at York Times as one of the Best Taylor’s University. His wife, Plays of the year 2015. In Jennifer, and Jon plan to visit February he workshopped a new all/most SE Asia countries during production of Romeo and Juliet their stay, learning about the arts with director Alan Paul. They open will be a high priority. Chillin’ on a The Shakespeare Theatre’s 30th few beaches will also be indulged. season next fall with this play which he also choreographed 30 Directory Changes years ago for Michael Kahn at the same theatre. His wife, Patti D'Beck, will be choreographing the new Ben Cameron: New email and telephone number Frank Wildhorn musical Mata Hari in Seoul, Korea, with [email protected] Jeff Calhoun directing. David will see the opening in 651-224-9431 Seoul in late March, and then they will travel to Beijing,

Xi'an and Shanghai, returning home just before the Tom Markus: annual weekend with the Fellows in April. 8515 Costa Verde Blvd., #1455

MARK MEDOFF: Mark’s new play, San Diego, CA 92122 Marilee and Baby Lamb: The Assassination of an American The New Book Goddess, had two readings for All Fellows attending the Investiture Luncheon at the theater owners and prospective Kennedy Center in April will receive a free copy of our investors at the Birdland Jazz Club new book, 246 pages with over 20 pages of color on January 21-22. On another front, photos! he and composer Drew Fornarola Fellows not in attendance will have their copy mailed (Shrek the Halls) are looking for a to them in late April. university to develop a musical, based on Mark’s 1990 play, Stefanie Hero. Additional copies may be purchased for $20, plus

shipping, by emailing Dean Robert Schanke. ROBERT SCHANKE: In August Bob co-chaired with Fellow Kim Marra a panel at the annual convention of ATHE which focused on the issues facing authors of glbt subjects. To celebrate his 75th birthday, several of his friends at the convention, including Fellows Tice Miller and Kim Marra as well as this year’s new Fellow Cheryl Black, surprised him with a dinner at a one of Montreal’s fine French restaurants.

ROBERT SCHENKKAN: Stage productions of Robert’s are scheduled for the Asolo Theater, Houston’s Alley, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Theater Center, and Washington’s . The HBO adaption of All the Way will be released in May. Shadowplay, his new play for the Seattle Children's Theater, will be part of the Kennedy Center’s “New Visions, New Voices” series May 1-8. Finally, his feature film,

The Fellows Gazette 4 Bonnie Nelson Schwartz Theatre in DC Produces Another One

Fellow Bonnie Nelson Schwartz recently produced and Fellow Robert Schenkkan’s Tony th directed her 30 concert at the John F. Kennedy Award-winning All the Way is playing Center in Washington DC—the ADL Concert Against at the Arena Stage Hate with the National Symphony Orchestra. Hosted by Meg Ryan, Taye Diggs, 8 pm Thursday-Friday, April 14-15 Delroy Lindo, and Archie 2 pm & 8 pm Saturday, April 16 Panjabi, this was her 21st 6 pm Sunday, April 17 Concert Against Hate.

Jersey Boys is playing at the Meg Ryan National Theatre One of the nation’s premiere 7:30 pm Thursday, April 14 human rights and civil rights 8 pm Friday, April 15 events, the Concert Against 2 pm & 8 pm Saturday, April 16 Hate tells the stories of those 2 pm & 7:30 pm Sunday, April 17 who have fought prejudice, Taye Diggs, Bonnie, & racism, anti-Semitism, and Amanza Smith terrorism in every form.

The concert brings together congressional leaders, diplomats and major figures in the field of arts and humanities. This Concert has featured such hosts and readers as Jeff Daniels, Harvey Keitel, Matthew 110 in the Shade is playing at Broderick, , Gabriel Byrne, Liev Ford’s Theatre Schreiber, Gabrielle Union, Elizabeth Moss, Judd 7:30 pm Thursday, April 14 Hirsch, Rod Steiger, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and 2 pm & 7:30 pm Friday - Saturday, the casts of The Wire, Mad Men, and Glee. April 15-16 Recent Board Actions

Approved the formation of a Development, Advocacy, and Profile Committee whose work will be comprised of profile-raising, development, advocacy, and fundraising for the Fellows.

Approved the acceptance of a $25,000 gift from Fellow Moment is playing at Studio Thomas Schumacher to be utilized, at his request, over Theatre a 10 year period for an Emerging Artist to be delivered 8 pm Thursday, April 14 at the Irene Ryan Awards at KCACTF from the College 8 pm Friday, April 15 of Fellows in the name of the "College of Fellows Jane 2 pm & 8 pm, Saturday, April 16 Alexander Award." 2 pm & 7:00 pm, Sunday, April 17

Approved the naming of the toast at our annual meeting to be designated “The Orlin Corey Fellows Toast”. The Nether is playing at Woolly Mammoth 8 pm Thurs.–Friday, April 14-15 3 pm & 8 pm, Saturday, April 16 2 pm & 7 pm, Sunday, April 17

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