The Fellows Gazette Volume 67 Published by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre Spring 2015 Our Special Guest of Honor: Jane Alexander

Last fall, Fellow Bonnie Nelson Schwartz, Chair of the GALA committee, invited Jane Alexander to be Guest of Honor at our 50th Anniversary GALA. At the time, Alexander thought she had a conflict with a proposed film project and asked to delay her answer. On December 15, she gave the College a Christmas gift, writing “I am free now to say yes to the lovely invitation.”

Jane attended Beaver Country Day School in the 50s, an all-girls facility, just outside of Boston, where she first discovered acting and made her stage debut as an adolescent in a production of Treasure Island. She studied math as well as theater at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, where she thought computer programming might be a convenient alternative in case her acting dreams fell through. However, a chance to study at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, wherein she became a member of the Edinburgh University Dramatic Society, dissolved any other career interests except theatre.

Jane was triumphant in 1967 when chosen to play the mistress of black boxer Jack Jefferson in the landmark production of The Great White Hope at the Arena Stage in Washington DC, opposite James Earl Jones. She and Jones both won Tony and Drama Desk Awards for their performances when the play went to Broadway the following year. Both also earned Academy Award nominations after making the transition to film. The Great White Hope (1970) would mark the first of four nominations for Jane. She was applauded for her supporting roles in All the President’s Men (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and her heartfelt leading role in Testament (1983) as a small town wife whose family is threatened by radioactive fallout. On stage, she

Photo Courtesy of Joan Marcus received Tony nominations over the years for her performances in 6 Rms Riv Vu (1972), Find Your Way Home (1974), First Monday in October (1978), The Visit (1991), The Sisters Rosenzweig (1993), and Honour (1998).

Jane has performed just as notably on TV. She embodied the unglamorous role of Eleanor Roosevelt in the TV movies Eleanor and Franklin (1976) and Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years (1977) and was Emmy- nominated both times for her efforts. Decades later she would portray FDR’s mother in HBO’s Warm Springs (2005) starring Kenneth Branagh and Cynthia Nixon, winning the award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 1993, Jane took a sabbatical from acting when President Clinton appointed her as chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. Her 2000 book, Command Performance: an Actress in the Theater of Politics chronicles the challenges she faced when the Republican Congress unsuccessfully tried to shut down the Endowment. She holds honorary doctorates from 11 colleges and universities. In addition, Jane has been active on many boards: the Wildlife Conservation Society, Project Greenhope, the National Stroke Association, and Women’s Action for Nuclear Disarmament. She has also received the Israel Cultural Award and the Helen Caldicott Leadership Award.

In 2004, she and her husband, producer/director Fellow Edwin Sherin, joined the faculty at Florida State University.

The Fellows Gazette 1 Let’s Celebrate!

The College of Fellows of the American Theatre will celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a Gala Celebration on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at the historic Cosmos Club in Washington DC.

The evening will begin with cocktails and music at 6:30 PM in the Warne Lounge, followed by dinner at 8:00 PM in the elegant baroque ballroom of the Club.

Stage and screen actress and former Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, Jane Alexander, will be honored for her work in the theatre as an artist and an advocate and will be inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre.

Fellow William Ivey Long will host the evening and conduct “A Conversation with Jane Alexander.”

Designer William Ivey Long William Ivey Long has won six Tony Awards and has been nominated 14 times. He was inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame in 2005 and was elected Chairman of The American Theatre Wing in June 2012. Mr. Long’s Broadway costume design credits include: Cabaret, Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Bullets Over Broadway, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Don’t Dress for Dinner, Hugh Jackman: Back on Broadway, Catch Me If You Can, Grey Gardens, The Producers, The Boy from Oz, Hairspray, Contact, The Music Man, Annie Get Your Gun, Swing, Chicago (now in its 19th year on Broadway!), Smokey Joe’s Café, Crazy for You, Guys and Dolls, A Christmas Carol, Six Degrees of Separation, Lend Me a Tenor, and Nine. Other recent credits include Little Dancer at the Kennedy Center, and The Merry Widow at the Metropolitan Opera.

He has also designed for such artists as Mick Jagger, Siegfried and Roy, the Pointer Sisters, Joan Rivers, Gisele Bündchen, and for choreographers Paul Taylor, Twyla Tharp, Peter Martins, David Parsons, and Susan Stroman. He serves as Production Designer for North Carolina’s oldest running seasonal outdoor drama, The Lost Colony, which was the 2013 recipient of the Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theatre. 2014 marked Mr. Long’s 44th season with the production. Mr. Long earned an undergraduate degree in history from The College of William and Mary, was a Kress Fellow at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and then earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in stage design from Yale University School of Drama.

Upcoming projects include On the Twentieth Century and It Shoulda Been You. www.williamiveylong.com

An elegant desert reception following dinner will provide an opportunity to meet Ms. Alexander and continue our fellowship.

Evening Attire is recommended.

On Friday evening, April 17, Ms. Alexander will present the College of Fellows Scholarship at the American College Festival’s Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes at the John F. Kennedy Center. This will be the first scholarship presented by the Fellows, and all Fellows are encouraged to attend. The Fellows will be special guests of the American College Theatre Festival. A reception follows.

The Fellows Gazette 2 The New Fellows of 2015!

Janet Allen Michael Hood Ricardo Khan Tom Markus

JANET ALLEN

Creating world-class professional theatre for central Indiana audiences of all ages has remained a career- long passion for Janet Allen. She began at the Indiana Repertory Theatre in 1980 as the theatre’s first literary manager–dramaturg. After leaving Indianapolis to freelance in New York as a dramaturg for various theaters, Janet returned to the IRT to serve ten years as associate artistic director. She was named the IRT’s fourth artistic director in 1996. As the theatre’s artistic leader, Janet oversees play selection, the production process, the education outreach programs, and long-range artistic planning. In 2013 Janet was named Executive Artistic Director and supervises all aspects of the IRT.

MICHAEL HOOD

Since 1979, Professor Hood's career has been defined as a university administrator at three levels: as chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance, University of Alaska, Anchorage (1979-1984, 1989-1995) and as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1995-1998). In 1998, he was named Dean and Full Professor of the College of Fine Arts at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His publications and national/international presentations reflect his expertise in fight direction as a member of the Society of American Fight Directors and his participation as an experienced administrator in the ICFA and the ATHE Leadership Institute. He is Vice-President of the National Theatre Conference.

RICARDO KHAN

Ricardo was the Co-founder and Artistic Director of the Crossroads Theatre Company, which received the 1999 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater, making it one of the nation's most acclaimed African- American theater companies in history. Recipient of an Honorary Doctorate from Rutgers University, he is a Director/Writer-In-Residence at the Lincoln Center Institute of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and is a visiting professor in the UMKC Theatre professional training program at the University of Missouri- Kansas City. In 1989, he was co-chair of the National Endowment for the Arts' Theater Panel and from 1996- 2000 was the President of Theatre Communications Group.

TOM MARKUS

Most of us know Tom best as the director of over 125 productions and as Artistic Director of three LORT companies - Theatre by the Sea, Theatre Virginia, and the Theatre at Monmouth and Shakespearean Festival of Maine – and a director at the Pioneer Theater for nine seasons. He has directed at most of the Shakespeare Festivals. Besides his directing work in New York and New England, he has directed overseas in Cairo, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Australia, Paris, and London. He has acted in over fifty roles on Broadway (for Jose Quintero) and in various LORT theatres. He has taught at Yale, Florida State University, the City University of New York, Temple, University of Utah, and UC Santa Barbara, in addition to the American University in Cairo.

The Fellows Gazette 3 A Founder Returns! Hotel Reservations For April Meeting in DC The Fellows have much for which to For lodging at the River Inn, you must use the River Inn thank Fellow William Hotel Registration Form as seen on page 7. McGraw. If it had not been for him, we Do not reserve a room by phoning or emailing the probably would not hotel. The form on page 7 will also be emailed to all be meeting in Fellows as an attachment. Washington DC in April, indeed, may Using the form, means you will pay no taxes and be not be meeting guaranteed the rate of $199 per night. anywhere. We are thrilled to announce Send the form, along with your check (made payable to that he will join us KCACTF) or credit card information, to Frank Hildy (see for our Fiftieth GALA address below). Celebration and will address the Fellows at our Sunday Luncheon at the When the deadline of March 12 is reached, he will send Kennedy Center. the information to the Kennedy Center, and they will place the reservations. While Fellow William R. McGraw was Administrative Vice-President of the Association for Theatre in Higher Read the form carefully. If you are having guests Education (AETA), he submitted to the Board of staying in additional rooms at the hotel, you must Directors in 1965 the original plan and By-Laws for “The complete a separate form for each room you wish to Fellows of AETA.” In the 1970s, AETA became the reserve, along with the name of the guest who will be American Theatre Association (ATA), dropping the using the room. limiting word “educational” from its title. The Fellows of AETA subsequently changed its name to The College of A check or credit card number must be supplied for Fellows and began inviting professional theatre artists. each room you reserve. In 1986, however, ATA ceased to exist, which seemed to mean the end of our College of Fellows. You may submit your reservations now.

Fellow McGraw came to the rescue. During the next Important ! three years, he looked around for a place to meet—New York, Chicago, college campuses. Eventually, he met For hotel lodging at River Inn, send to Frank Hildy: with David Humphrey, head of the Kennedy Center’s 1) the hotel registration form(s) for each room Education Department, who agreed to supply meeting being reserved with the name of the person facilities and staff support. The College of Fellows was using the room restored to life, holding its first meeting at the Kennedy 2) the check(s) (made payable to KCACTF) Center April 23, 1989. Bill was named the first Dean of 3) or the credit card numbers the reconstituted College of Fellows of the American Theatre. If you send a check, it must be a separate check from the one you write for the Cosmos Club and Kennedy Among his other professional achievements, he drew up Center events. the original criteria and guidelines of the National Association of Schools of Theatre. He was President of Deadline for the hotel reservation form the American Theatre Association in 1974. is March 12. McGraw graduated with honors from the College of First come-first served. Wooster, where he was later named one of its outstanding alumni. He received the M.A. from Ohio Frank Hildy, Treasurer State University and the Ph.D. from the University of College of Fellows of the American Theatre Minnesota. He taught at the Universities of Oregon and 3010 Silver Lake Ct., Hyattsville, MD 20783 Michigan and co-authored an acting text, Principles and Styles of Acting, published by Addison and Wesley. He was a Dean and Professor of Theatre at Ohio University, Youngstown State University, and Bowling Green State Announcements and Invitations for the Cosmos Club University, serving the last as Dean of its East campus. Gala and the Kennedy Center Luncheon will be sent to Fellows in late February.

The Fellows Gazette 4 th 50 Anniversary Fundraising: A Success!

Beginning with our “$50 for the Fiftieth” campaign in 2011 initiated by Fellow John Cauble, supplemented by later individual donations, and culminating with the efforts of Fellow Jeff Koep to honor deceased Fellows, the College has raised sufficient funds so that it can partially subsidize the cost of our Saturday evening GALA at the Cosmos Club, April 18th.

In addition, Fellow Tom Schumacher contributed not only $1,000 to the 50th Anniversary General Fund, but also $3,000 to fund the scholarship that Jane Alexander will present during the Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes on Friday evening, April 17.

Many apologies if any donor’s name is missing. Let us know and we will acknowledge you in the next Gazette.

Contributors to the 50th Anniversary General Fund

Albee, Edward Jensen, Julie Witham, Barry Bank, Rosemarie Jewell, James Wright, Jack Barranger, Milly Koep, Jeffrey Young, David Benedetti, Robert Korf, Jean Berman, Karen Lazier, Gil Fellows Honored & The Donors Brandt, Carole Londré, Felicia Brooks, Avery Lupu, Michael (Fellows Honored listed in order of donations Byers Pevitts, Beverly Mason, Marshall received.) Carter, Dan McGraw, William Cauble, John Medoff, Mark 1. Fellow Honored: Francis Hodge Church, Jeff Michael, R. Keith Donor: Fellow Robert Schenkkan

Clay, Jack Miller, Marilee 2. Fellow Honored: Sidney L. Berger Cole, Art Muller, Alfred Donor: Fellow Edward Albee Conlin, Kathleen Murphy, Donn Cook, Doug Oaks, Harold 3. Fellow Honored: Kalman A. Burnim Cooper, Judith O’Brien, Jack Donors: Corey, Orlin Parker, Scott Fellow Ruth Beall Heinig Corey, Shirley Pawley, Tom Fellow Don B. Wilmeth Crawford, Jerry Reid, Barbara Davis, Jed Rosenblatt, Bernard 4. Fellow Honored: August Staub Devin, Dick Rubin, Joel Donor: Fellow R. Keith Michael Distler, Tony Sabinson, Harvey Dolan, Jill Schanke, Robert A. 5. Fellow Honored: Davey Marlin Jones Doty, Gresdna Schenkkan, Robert Donor: Fellow Julie Jensen Drapeau, Don Schumacher, Tom Dyke, Marjorie Schwartz, Bonnie Nelson 6. Fellow Honored: Burnett Hobgood Eek, Nat Shaw, Ann Donor: Fellow Jack Clay Eigsti, Karl Smiley, Sam Esper, William Smith, Wallace 7. Fellow Honored: Ralph G. Allen Evans, Tom Stein, Howard Donor: Fellow Gil Lazier

Ezell, John Stern, Ed 8. Fellow Honored: Carole Brandt Favorini, Attilio Sumner, Mark Donors: (Past presidents of ATHE) Flatt, Robyn Baker Terry, Megan Fellow Karen Berman Fletcher, Winona Volz, Jim Fellow Beverly Byers-Pevitts Freedman, Gerald Walker, Ethel Fellow Jill Dolan Heinig, Ruth Beall Watermeier, Dan Fellow Gil Lazier Herstand, Theodore Webb, Dorothy Fellow Jim Symons Hildy, Frank Weiss, David Huberman, Jeff White, George 9. Fellow Honored: Geraldine Brain Siks Huerta, Jorgé Whitmore, Jon Donor: Fellow Megan Terry Jennings, Coleman Wilmeth, Don

The Fellows Gazette 5 10. Fellow Honored: C. Robert Kase 20. Fellow Honored: Vera Mowry Roberts Donor: Fellow Judith Kase Cooper Donors: Fellow Milly S. Barranger 11. Fellow Honored: Edward Hastings Fellow Jed H. Davis Donor: Eugene Barcone Fellow Paul A. Distler Fellow Winona Fletcher 12. Fellow Honored: Oscar G. Brockett Fellow Ann Hill Donors: Fellow R. Keith Michael Fellow Dorothy Webb Fellow Gresdna Doty 21. Fellow Honored: Richard Fallon Fellow Paul A. Distler Donor: Fellow Dan Carter Fellow Karen Berman Fellow Nathaniel Eek 22. Fellow Honored: Romulus Linney Fellow R. Keith Michael Donor: Fellow Don B. Wilmeth Fellow Jerry L. Crawford Fellow Robert L. Benedetti 23. Fellow Honored: Robert Schnitzer Fellow Franklin Hildy Donor: Bonnie Nelson Schwartz Fellow Jill Dolan Fellow Don B. Wilmeth Directory Changes 13. Fellow Honored: Donn Finn

Donors: James Brandon: Delete his FAX number Fellow John David and Kathryn Lutz

Fellow Jeffrey and Julie Koep Avery Brooks

174 Nassau St., #1900 14. Fellow Honored: Doug Cook Princeton, NJ 08542 Donors: [email protected] Fellow Kathleen Conlin

Fellow Nancy Melich John Dillon Fellow Jerry L. Crawford 1910 30th Ave. South Red Shuttleworth Seattle, WA 98144 Edward Emanuel 206-323-9422 (home)

206-777-5943 (cell) 15. Fellow Honored: Dr. Patricia McIlrath

Donors: Weldon Durham Fellow Felicia Hardison Londré [email protected] Fellow John Ezell

16. Fellow Honored: Billy J. Harbin Dale Huffington Donors: 7062 NE Everett St. Fellow Kim Marra Portland, OR 97213 Fellow Gresdna Doty Fellow Robert A. Schanke Gail Humphries Mardirosian [email protected] 17. Fellow Honored: Howard Stein Donors: Bonnie Nelson Schwartz Fellow Jeffrey Koep [email protected] Fellow Jerry L. Crawford Fellow Robert L. Benedetti Fellow Ronald A. Willis

18. Fellow Honored: Monroe Lippman Donors: Fellow Paul A. Distler Fellow Robert L. Benedetti

19. Fellow Honored: Winifred Ward Donors: Fellow Nathaniel & Pat Eek

The Fellows Gazette 6 2015 COLLEGE OF FELLOWS OF THE AMERICAN THEATRE

HOTEL RESERVATION FORM APRIL 16 - 19, 2015

THE RIVER INN 924 25TH Street N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037 202-337-7600 - www.theriverinn.com

NAME______

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Number of nights____at $199 per night = TOTAL HOTEL: $______(Single/Double Occupancy are same rate.) SPECIFY one King____ or two Queen beds____* (Note two Queen bed rooms are limited, try to stick with King.)

Superior studio-sized suite with fully equipped kitchen.

REGISTRATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY MARCH 12, 2015, TO GUARANTEE THIS SPECIAL RATE.

NOTE: You may use this form to request additional nights - other than the conference dates April 16, 17, 18, 19. Kennedy Center will advise if those dates are unavailable. If requesting additional nights please provide Credit Card rather than check.

PROVIDE CREDIT CARD INFORMATION BELOW (for hotel only) OR send a SEPARATE CHECK PAYABLE TO KCACTF.

____Visa____Master Card____American Express

Card #______Exp. Date_____Zip code where billed______

Signature______(Credit card will be processed by Kennedy Center and will include only room charges. A credit card must be presented at check-in for incidentals.) If different from address above, indicate address where credit card receipt may be mailed:

Send Check(s) or Credit Card, and Hotel information to:

Franklin Hildy,Treasurer College of Fellows of the American Theatre 3010 Silver Lake Court Hyattsville, MD 20783-1461

DEADLINE MARCH 12, 2015

The Fellows Gazette 7 Ann Hill: A Memorial Tribute Bits and Pieces: (1921-2014) News from the Dean

Our fifth Dean of the College of Thanks to so many Fellows who have volunteered Fellows, Ann Stahlman Hill, passed their time and energy in recent months, making it away on October 19, 2014. A lifelong possible for us to have a memorable weekend in April resident of Nashville TN Ann was as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Thanks go to. . . 93. She was graduated from Vanderbilt University, magna cum Fellows John Cauble, Frank Hildy, Karen Berman, and laude and Phi Beta Kappa. Jerry Crawford for working so diligently last Fall, analyzing the financial status of the College and Ann’s involvement with theatre suggesting recommendations for our future. began in 1946 when she joined the Nashville Children’s Theatre, ultimately serving as treasurer, president, and Fellow Frank Hildy, for assuming the monumental task for almost fifty years as a member of the Board of of receiving and recording all the checks for our April Directors. She led the drive to have Nashville build the weekend as well as keeping track of our reservations second theatre in the U.S. expressly designed for at the River Inn Hotel. children—its main auditorium was named for her in 1979. In her spare time, she also founded the Fellow Bonnie Nelson Schwartz for creating and Tennessee Theatre Association. producing the upcoming GALA. I am sure that she will win a Tony award when it is all over. From these local roots, Ann’s influence in theatre spread regionally when she was elected as President Fellow Jeffrey Koep for chairing the phenomenally of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (the first successful fundraising campaign, honoring Fellows. female to hold this office), one of the most powerful regional theatre organizations in the U.S. Fellow David Leong for accepting the offer to moderate this year’s panel of New Fellows following She then continued her contributions on a national our luncheon at the Kennedy Center. level as President of the Children’s Theatre Association of America and, later, as President of the Fellow Gail Humphries Mardirosian for agreeing to American Theatre Association. It was after her ATA chair a task force whose mission is to recommend presidency that she was elected to the College of steps the College might take to improve its visibility Fellows. and profile.

Beyond the local, regional, and national spheres of Fellows Kathryn Robinson and James Still for influence, in 1964 Ann was involved in the London agreeing to serve as the College representatives in formation of the International Association of Theatre facilitating the Jane Alexander scholarship which will for Children (ASSITEJ). She became the first Executive be presented at the Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes at Secretary-Treasurer of the U.S. Center of ASSITEJ, the Kennedy Center on April 17. subsequently attending Congresses in Moscow, The Hague, Venire, Montreal, and Madrid. In her U.S. Fellow Karen Berman for agreeing to serve as the position, Ann was pivotal in organizing the first ASSITJ College liaison with KCACTF and for preparing the Congress held in the United States (Albany, NY, 1972). souvenir program for the GALA.

For all of us who worked with and engaged with Ann, Paul Accettura, Karen Berman’s husband, and loyal we will miss her deeply. She was so very bright and supporter of the College, for agreeing to serve, along perceptive and eager to brush aside non-essentials to with Fellow Felicia Londré, as photographer at our get the crux or pith of matters. She was a master April events for the next two years. administrator. And, in addition, she was a person of Fellow William Ivey Long for offering to serve as Host caring, warmth, and a wry sense of humor that many at our GALA Celebration in April. did not get to enjoy. Fellow Tom Schumacher for donating the funds for the Ann and her husband, George, were fixtures at ATA College to offer the Jane Alexander Scholarship and Fellows meetings. After he retired, Ann and Award for Acting which will be presented to a student George spent many happy years traveling the globe at the Friday evening Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes at and spending time with their four children and the Kennedy Center, April 17. numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And, of course, always attending theatre—Ann’s passion. by Fellow Paul Distler

The Fellows Gazette 8 in one of those wonderful life ironies, none of us

In the Spotlight: Jack Clay knowing that in a few years he would replace the Master in Minneapolis.” Fellow Jack Clay concluded one part of his distinguished Well said, Jack, as always. career in 1992, retiring as the Director of the Professional by Fellow Barry Witham Actor Training Program at the University of Washington. News of the Fellows Prior to that he had established programs at ROBERT BENEDETTI: Last Southern Methodist March, “Beny” played the role University, founded and directed Stage # 1, a Dallas of Frank in Lisa D'Amour’s professional company devoted to recent and new Detroit at the San Diego Rep. American plays, and served as President of the Directed by Sam Woodhouse. Southeast Theatre Conference. Following his retirement, Jack has divided his time between Seattle and a lovely winter retreat in Granada, Nicaragua, and embarked on an ambitious schedule of travel and acting which allows him to practice his craft as well NAT EEK: As a volunteer, Nat helps as follow the fortunes of his former students. teach reading to the 4th grade at the Aspen Magnet School. His costume as Jack earned his Equity Card in 1953 after studying Captain America was for the with Alvina Krause at Northwestern and occasionally Wednesday before Halloween. He regrets not performing more, but like many master writes, “The kids were delighted and I teachers he revels in the accomplishments of his made the school newspaper!” students. And that list is phenomenal: Beth Henley, Kathy Bates, Garland Wright, Powers Boothe, Lauren Hutton, Stephen Tobolowski, Patricia Richardson, WILLIAM IVEY LONG: William’s costumes were recently Belita Moreno, James McClure, Kathleen O’Meara, seen coast-to-coast in a televised production of The Christopher Evan Welch, Debra Monk, Dan Kremer, Merry Widow. Derek Weeden, Karl Bury and dozens of others. ROBERT SCHANKE: In late April, Bob will be a guest at As Director of the School of Drama at Washington Southern Illinois University, where he will be presenting when Jack stepped down, I admired how he trained a pre-show talk prior to their production of The young actors and how devoted they were. His Children’s Hour and giving lectures to classes and insights and coaching were incisive and his patience student groups. was formidable. His reputation brought talented folks to our program, and his skill stretched and ROBERT SCHENKKAN: Robert recently became the 2015 strengthened them. I asked him recently for some Texas Medal of the Arts Honoree for Theater. remembrances, and after reminding me that some of his memories were “in excess of 50 years!” he sent JAMES STILL: James has two of his me a handful of wonderful snapshots. plays opening. January 23, 2015: World Premier of his new play Appoggiatura at Beth Henley: “I just write plays that I’d like to act in.” On Denver Center Theatre: Video interview: Powers Boothe: “In my Long Day’s Journey, he was the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQzC best Jamie I ever saw, including Robards.” On Kathy AONUq_w&list=PLexX4WflzoclB61AcLG Bates: “Don’t cast Kathy as Masha unless you want the 2Y2G-HRfD5TJjc and on January 28, play to be about her, an interesting twist but I think not 2015: World Premier of his new play The what Chekhov intended.” And Lauren Hutton: “A Widow Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in glamorous and funny Gwendolyn in an early Ernest, Washington DC. Video interview: doing exactly what I told her to do.” On Chris Welch, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF3 dead tragically young after a promising career including GLi8OcK8 Unfortunately, the production closes prior to narrating Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona: the College’s April meeting. “Chris was so poor he didn’t want to spend the money for tap shoes, he did the tap class in his stocking feet. A DON WILMETH: Don has been soft tap?” And this touching recollection of Garland selected to receive the 2015 University Wright: “Tyrone Guthrie came to SMU to lecture back in of Illinois Alumni Achievement Award, the 60s. We prepared the fireplace scene from Shaw’s the highest honor conferred by the Candida for him, with Garland as Marchbanks. Alumni Association on behalf of the Afterwards, Guthrie said rather sniffely: ‘Very nice, but I University. don’t do actor coaching.’ Garland was sitting at his feet

The Fellows Gazette 9 Larry Clark: A Memorial Tribute Calvin Pritner: (1932 - 2014) A Memorial Tribute Larry D. Clark died in Columbia, Missouri, on December 24, 2014, (1935 – 2014) and he is interred in the city where he had lived and worked at the University of Missouri since 1965. Dr. Clark is professor emeritus and former chair of the MU Theatre Department, dean emeritus of the MU College of Arts and Science, and dean emeritus of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. He served as President of the

American Theatre Association and the American Educational Theatre Association. In addition, he Fellow Cal Pritner was the quintessential chaired the National Committee of the Kennedy midwesterner—lanky, unassuming, plain-spoken, Center’s American College Theatre Festival. commonsensical, and downright friendly. He came to the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1994 to chair Larry was born in and attended the public schools of our Department of Theatre—just one extra added Gainesville, Ozark County, Missouri. After graduating chapter to his long, distinguished career of many from high school at age 16, he earned a BA in Speech accomplishments—and we had the pleasure of his and Drama at Southwest Missouri State College, now company and the benefit of his seasoned leadership for Missouri State University. Then he returned to six good years. One might say he came full circle, Gainesville at age 20 to teach high school speech and because he was also born in Kansas City. His education to direct the school’s debate team. There he met was midwestern: B.A. from Emporia State University, Yvonne, his wife of sixty years. They were married M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He spent while he served an enlistment in the U. S. Air Force. much of his career at Illinois State University, where he Larry earned a Master’s degree in Speech and chaired the theatre department and, in 1978, founded Dramatic Art from the University of Missouri and a Illinois Shakespeare Festival, which he led as artistic doctorate in Theatre from the University of Illinois. His director for thirteen years. There, three-quarters of the first post-degree job was at the University of Iowa, founders of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre were from 1963 to 1965. among his students.

Very probably, Larry’s proudest achievement was the After his first retirement in 1991, Cal taught two Summer Repertory Theatre at the University of Semesters at Sea in addition to freelance directing, Missouri, which he founded in 1966. He directed acting for television and film, and developing several thirty-two plays, including musicals, classics, and one-man plays. He acted in three television series: The modern dramas, for this student-professional A-Team (1985), Hunter (1985), and The Awakening company. (1978). During his time at UMKC, he focused on his one- man performances as Mark Twain, notably a version Larry was honored with a Gold Medallion by the titled “Mark Twain: Unlearning Racism.” He would don Kennedy Center for his many achievements in theatre the three-piece white suit and the facial hair, give his education. The Central States Communication accent a slightly more southern quality, and make us Association and the Mid-American Theatre believers. Association, of which he was a founder, have honored his contributions, as well. Cal Pritner also co-authored a book with our faculty colleague Louis Colaianni: How to Speak Shakespeare. Those who knew him cannot fail to recall Larry’s I remember the day Cal got his letter of invitation for indomitable “can-do” spirit or his immeasurable fund 1996 investiture in the College of Fellows of the of good humor. He was a relentless breaker of American Theatre. He was deeply happy beneath that deadlocks and creator of consensus. This writer knew low-key midwestern demeanor. He retired from our him as an imaginative, demanding director, an department because “promises had been made” to his inspiring teaching colleague, and a crafty mentor wife Evamarii Johnson. They lived in New York City, but who, by precept and example, showed me, and many worked often at Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Fellow others, a deeply satisfying way through the labyrinth Cal Pritner passed away on 1 December 2014 in New that is a career in higher education. York City, with Evamarii at his side. by Fellow Weldon Durham by Fellow Felicia Hardison Londré

The Fellows Gazette 10 NOMINATION FORM

It is the responsibility of each Fellow to place in nomination those persons she or he believes are qualified to become members of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. Persons who have distinguished themselves on a national or international level through service, artistic accomplishment, scholarship, innovation or all of these may be nominated by a current Fellow for consideration by the Board of the College of Fellows of the American Theater for membership. Nominations MUST be seconded by two Fellows who are acquainted with the work of the Nominee. The nomination letter/statement should have the depth of the presentation citation, and the seconding letters should not be simple reiterations of those facts but rather add perspective to the nomination. Due confidentiality requires that nominees not be aware that they are being considered. Nominations on this form and two seconding letters of support (the responsibility of the nominator) must be submitted to the current Dean of the College no later than March 1. Only nominees whose files are complete will be considered during the Annual Meeting. Since nominators will most frequently read the citation for their nominees, or be called upon to prepare the citation, it is recommended that a copy of the nomination form and letters be retained.

ONLINE NOMINATIONS ARE PREFERRED!

Please Print

Date Mailed to Dean: ______NOMINEE ______Title ______Address ______City/State/Zip ______Telephones Business ( ) FAX Home ( ) E-Mail

NOMINATOR Name Address City/State/Zip Telephones Business ( ) FAX ( ) Home ( ) E-Mail

SECONDERS #1 Name # 2 Name Address City/State/Zip Telephone ( ) ( ) E-Mail

Attach a Nominator's Letter/Statement and any supporting materials. In the Nominator's Statement use 250-300 words to indicate the most salient reasons for this nomination. This statement should serve as a draft of the Fellow's Investiture Citation, and should be typed or word processed. In addition, attach a curriculum vitae, Who's Who entry, or resume. If the cv/resume seems to provide the necessary details, no additional material is needed. If it is incomplete, the following information would be useful (as part of the statement or on a separate sheet): education (schools, degrees, dates); membership in theatre organizations (and significant contributions); teaching experience or involvement (if relevant); professional experience; awards and honors; publications; artistic creations (design, direction, etc.). DEADLINE RETURN THIS TO THE DEAN BEFORE MARCH 1 Dean Robert A. Schanke College of Fellows 498 Edgewood Lane Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 OR Email: [email protected]

The Fellows Gazette 11 The Fellows Weekend

Friday Evening, April 17, 2015 Location: The Kennedy Center 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (Terrace Theatre) Irene Ryan Evening of Scenes & Presentation of the Jane Alexander Scholarship Award for Acting, Sponsored by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre

9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Reception in Atrium

Saturday, April 18, 2015 Location: River Inn Hotel, Room 112 12:00 – 4:00 pm Board Meeting of College of Fellows Dean Robert Schanke presiding

Location: Kennedy Center

1:00 pm – 3:15 pm The River Inn Video taped interviews of New Fellows

50th Anniversary Celebration Guest of Honor Jane Alexander William Ivey Long Hosting

Location: Cosmos Club, 2121 Massachusetts Ave., NW 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Reception with Open Bar and Hors d’oeuvre

8:00 pm The Fellows Toast presented by Fellow Orlin Corey Dinner Induction of Jane Alexander “Conversation with Jane Alexander” Conducted by Fellow William Ivey Long The Cosmos Club Sunday, April 19, 2015

Location: Kennedy Center, North Atrium Foyer 9:30 am – 10:00 am Coffee, tea, and juice

10:00 am – 11:00 am Business Meeting Dean Robert Schanke presiding

11:00 am – 1:00 pm Luncheon Brief Address by Founder & Fellow William McGraw Induction of New Fellows: Janet Allen, Michael Hood, Tom Markus, Ricardo Khan

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm “Conversation with New Fellows” Moderated by Fellow David Leong The Kennedy Center 2:30 pm Adjournment

The Fellows Gazette 12