NEW SCHOOL DRAMA NEWS THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA Fall 2010

woken’glacier theatre company in a development workshop of Matthew Paul Olmos’ ‘04 the nature of captivity Photo: A. Sayeeda Clarke

well as from the instructors at Drama, and allows them to develop important and long- Drama Graduates’ lasting relationships. Collaboration is basic to the curriculum at The New School for Drama—and is also Theater Companies: It’s key in starting a theater company, as many Drama alums have discovered. “The New School’s program prepped us in that we All About Collaboration learned—as writers, directors, or actors— Collaboration is an essential part of the together to bring plays to the stage. that theater is a collaborative art form,” MFA program at The New School for All three disciplines are represented in explains Matthew Paul Olmos ’04, co-founder Drama. Playwrights work on their scripts rehearsals or in the CoLab classes at and artistic director of woken’glacier theatre in rehearsal and benefit from hearing Drama, giving students a glimpse of what it company (www.wokenglacier.org). “When and seeing their work performed, while takes to develop a new play. This crossover we started our company, we approached directing and acting students work closely enables students to learn from their peers as it as a group of theater artists. We learned

Continues on page 3... ALUMNI NEWS Message from Send news about your latest achievements to [email protected]. Read more the Director news about your fellow alumni on the Class Notes page at www.newschool.edu/alumni. ROBERT LUPONE 1998 Since I arrived at The New School for Drama, John Gazzale appeared in John Pollono’s one of our goals has been to promote new, Illuminati as part of The Network One-Act original plays. To that end, we’ve supported Festival in New York City. emerging playwrights and their writing 1999 with full-length productions, which we Robert LuPone Photo: Matthew Sussman successfully instituted in last year’s New Leslie Maslow’s short story “Mum” won the Voices Playwrights Festival. The large number institution in New York City that has such a 2009 Open City Short Fiction Contest and of Drama graduates who have become artistic committed and professional faculty. I also take was published in issue 28 of the magazine. directors and producers, establishing their great pride in our students, who exhibit talent 2000 own theaters and developing work in New and skill and professionalism every single day. York City and around the country, bodes well As alumni, you remain an invaluable part of Behold, a new play by Tom Cavanaugh, for playwrights and other theater professionals our community. I welcome you to explore the was selected for development by the Utah who create and develop new works. Our latest news about your alma mater: The New Shakespearean Festival’s New Playwrights students and graduates have championed new School for Drama. Development Program. projects in programs such as the New York Coy Middlebrook directed the musical International Fringe Festival, the Midtown Nobody’s Perfect, which toured under the International Theatre Festival, the Strawberry auspices of the Kennedy Center’s Theater One-Act Festival, and the Old Vic/UK for Young Audiences on Tour series. Exchange, which we told you about in the last alumni newsletter. Bob LuPone 2001 The New School for Drama scored Director, The New School for Drama Polly (Mildred) Lee appeared off-Broadway another success this past year at the annual in Graceland with Lincoln Center’s LCT3 at Samuel French Off-Off Broadway Short The Duke in New York City. Play Festival. Once again, you couldn’t throw a Playbill without hitting Drama Jason Odell Williams appeared in Steven students and alumni! Twelve members of Dietz’s Yankee Tavern with the New Jersey our community participated as playwrights, Repertory Company. directors, or actors. Of the 40 plays selected 2002 for presentation as semifinalists, five were by Drama students and alumni. The Bear The Encounter by Jorshinelle Taleon- (A Tragedy), written by E.J.C. Calvert ’10 and Sonza was performed as part of Diverse directed by Mason Beggs ’10, was chosen as City Theater Company’s Pearl Project one of the six winners for publication. For Theater Festival. more information on the festival, see the 2003 feature on page 6. This year, I’m excited to welcome a John Patrick Bray’s play Hound has been wonderful artist to The New School for published by Next Stage Press. Drama: award-winning director Joe Mantello. Elizabeth June (Sewer) wrote, produced, A consummate professional, he will serve as and performed in Jitters, a film short that the 2010–2011 artist-in-residence at Drama, was named an Official Selection in the where he has graciously consented to lead 2010 Texas Black Film Festival in Dallas. master classes as well as conduct a town hall during the school year. I’m thrilled to have him not only because of his accomplishments but also because of his unshakable commitment to the art and beauty of theater. Drama continues to refine the curriculum and provide our students with the highest- quality training, which is reflected on stage by our productions. I can think of no other

2 | THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA ... Continued from cover enough about one another’s craft while in 2004 school to allow us to look at our work from Richard Hollman appeared in Complete multiple points of view.” Olmos, co-founder Works of Shakespeare (Abridged) in Nichol Alexander, and founding members Beth Hartford, Connecticut, with alums Sean Joe Mantello Photo: Matthew Sussman Manspeizer, Michael Billingsley, Eriko Ogawa, Harris and David Salsa. Ronit Muszkatbilt, and chantel cherisse lucier Moti Margolin performed the title role (all class of 2004) began working together of Macbeth with The Frog and Peach while in school and went on to establish Theatre Company in New York City. Joe Mantello Is their company. The group has presented more than 15 original productions and Kari Morris’ short film, Two, which Drama’s 2010-2011 has been nominated twice for a New York she executive produced, wrote, and Innovative Theatre Award. The group appeared in with Moti Margolin, was Artist-in-Residence recently collaborated with Theatre Arts Japan selected for both the Rhode Island on the U.S. premiere of Hideo Tsuchida’s it International Film Festival and the DC is said the men are over in The Steel Tower and Shorts Film Festival. Award-winning director Joe Mantello is worked with Olmos on his play the nature of Drama’s distinguished artist-in-residence for Seth Rabinowitz (see 2010) captivity during his residency with Mabou the 2010–2011 academic year. For Drama Mines theater company. students, this is a remarkable opportunity to 2005 While working on her thesis production, work closely with a theater professional in an Niketa Calame appeared in the Jake Lipman ’04 got her first taste of educational setting outside of the classroom. musical Women of Brewster Place with production. “My thesis partner, Kristen Rogers Mantello will address the entire student body Celebration Theatre in Los Angeles. ’04, and I agonized over every detail: casting, in a town hall meeting this semester. He will scenic design and props, script analysis, also conduct master classes and seminars 2006 and dramaturgy,” recalls Lipman. “It lit a specifically for directing students. Draw the Circle, a solo piece by Deen fire in me to make my own opportunities.” “We’re excited that Joe has made his (formerly Shireen Deen), was performed Her enthusiasm led her to create tongue in incredible talent, critical insight, and elegance at Dixon Place in New York City. cheek theater productions (www.tictheater. available to The New School for Drama,” com), for which she serves as artistic director Eileen Reardon is directing Finding said Drama director Robert LuPone. “His and producer and Brian W. Siebert ’04 serves Mabel, a documentary about the devotion to the theater and professional as associate producer. Lipman has utilized Dirty War in Argentina and a woman’s experience make him a superb mentor and Drama’s talents over the years, casting Sarah search for one of the 30,000 that priceless addition not only to the Directing Michelle Bickwheat ’06, Aaron Black ’06, Brynne disappeared. Department but to the entire school.” Kraynak ’09, and Joel Peterson ’05 in tongue in Mantello’s directing experience includes cheek productions. 2007 Wicked, Assassins, and Take Me Out, the last Speranza Theatre Company (www. Isabel Aerenlund appeared in Euridice two of which earned him a Tony Award. speranzatheatrecompany.com), is lead by artistic by Sara Ruhl at the Teatro Helénico in He also directed the Broadway production directors Heather Wahl and Rachel Cornish Mexico City. of Three Days of Rain, starring Drama alum (both class of 2008), who wanted to continue Bradley Cooper ’00, Julia Roberts, and Paul Xanthe Elbrick appeared as Miss working together after graduation. Speranza Rudd. As an actor, Mantello earned a Tony Proserpine Garnett in Irish Repertory produced The Awesome Dance by Nick Starr nomination for his performance in Angels in Theater’s production of George Bernard ’08 at The Cherry Pit in New York City this America, which also starred faculty member Shaw’s Candida. past September. The play starred Cornish, Ron Liebman. Mantello has received Outer Julie Cavaliere ’08, Dileep Rao (Avatar, Robin LeMon appeared in a principal Critics Circle, Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, Inception), and Caitlin Talbot. It was directed role on CBS Television’s The Good Wife. Helen Hayes, Clarence Derwent, Obie, by Malinda Sorci ’08, who founded theNEST and Joe A. Callaway awards. Mantello is a Adam Kee appeared as Mr. Endicott in theater (www.thenestnyc.org) along with 2008 member of Naked Angels theater company the world premiere of Godlight Theatre graduates Mark Cajigao, Samantha Shechtman, and an associate artist at Roundabout Company’s In the Heat of the Night at and Andreas Tselepos. “Drama graduates, Theatre Company. 59East59 Theatres in New York City. students, and faculty have been a continuing Mantello is the fifth artist-in-residence at part of our daily operations,” Cornish adds. Detra Payne appeared as Martha the school. Drama’s earlier artists-in-residence “Their support and generosity keep us afloat. Pentecost in August Wilson’s Joe were Jon Robin Baitz, John Turturro, Doug Our Drama relationships are our lifeline.” Turner’s Come and Gone at Hattiloo Hughes, and John Patrick Shanley. 2 For more information on Drama Theatre in Memphis. graduates’ theater companies and industry Layne Racowsky directed The affiliations, visit www.newschool.edu/drama Immigrant for the Arizona Jewish and select “Alumni & Friends.” 2 Theatre Company in Phoenix.

3 Michelle Robinson appeared in Dance of the Scarlet Honeyeater and It’s In His Kiss The New School for Drama is grateful at Where Eagles Dare in New York City. She performed the title role in Nikki G: A Portrait to the following donors for their recent of Nikki Giovanni in Her Own Words at the Dwyer Cultural Center, also in New York. contributions:*

Brian Schlanger is appearing in a national These contributions provide a valuable resource for student scholarships, program commercial for Golden Corral Restaurants. development, and operating support. Kristyl Dawn Tift will appear in the feature $100,000+ Marie and John Evans Jane and Bruce James and Rita Collins film Hall Pass, opposite Owen Wilson The Jackman Family Marshall Jessica Cox Dodger Properties and Stephen Merchant. The film will be Foundation Susan and Alan Lana Crabtree Charitable directed by the Farrelly Brothers and Sheila C. Johnson Patricof Nina and Robert Foundation released in 2011. Jerome Kane Ellin Saltzman Cutler The Bob and Dolores Lewis Katz Bernard Schwartz Suzanne Dacey 2008 Hope Charitable Lucille Lortel Betty and Malcolm B. Dancap Investments Foundation Eleanor Handley appeared as Cressida in Foundation, Inc. Smith Deborah Daniels Ruth and Harold Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida with Beverley McKee Margaret and William Todd Davison Newman the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. Chase Mishkin J. Snipes Robert Dinisi Harold and Mimi Sally Morse Arthur Storch Amy Dorfman David Marshall appeared as the Steinberg Diane and Steven Scott Zeiger Molly Drummond Scarecrow in Cape Rep Theater’s Charitable Trust production of The Wizard of Oz in Parrish Melissa Duba Serino Coyne Up to $499 Jen Ephraim Brewster, Massachusetts. $20,000–$50,000 Jane and Julien J. ALLC, Inc. Stuart Epstein Danielle Treuberg performed in Herbert Robinson Studley Andre Amos Erika Feldman Conspiracy: A Love Story, a new musical Lawrence Wilker Matthew Anderson Tedda Fenichel by Victor Lesniewski ’10, at the Midtown $5,000–$19,999 The Woodbourne Amy Andryszak Steven Filenbaum International Theatre Festival. The play Nan Bases Foundation Anonymous Charles J. Finlay was directed by Elizabeth Carlson ’10. Joseph Grano Salvina Attard William Fischer Tai Verley appeared in Evolutionism, Tamara and Kevin $500–$999 Avid Touring Group, Edward Fogarty or Dammit! We Took the Shortcut with Kinsella Arnhold Foundation, LTD. Tom Fontana Manhattan Repertory Theatre in New Virginia and Robert Inc. Kristin Barnett Jim Foster York City. She also participated in LuPone Nancy and Frank William Becker Matthew Fox LAByrinth Theatre’s Summer Intensive Penny May Ashen Lior Bendat Danielle Fredericks Ensemble at Bard College. The Tony Randall Arun and Asmita Claudan Sid Bermudez Lauren Freed Theatrical Fund, Inc. Bhatia Family Katherine Berry Joyce Friedmann 2009 M. & B. Smith Foundation Clara and Samuel Melissa and Mark Sherri Eden Barber directed a reading of Foundation Susan and Steven H. Blackman Gagnon The Bandaged Place featuring Brittany The Ted Snowdon Bloom Steven Bloom Ashley and Steven Bellizeare for New York Theatre Workshop. Foundation Clinton Bond Charles Bodner Ganz Elayne Wishart and Broadview Networks, The Broadway League, Fredric Gershon David Bly is appearing in a national Bruce Deichl Inc. Inc. Ronald Gibel commercial for Denny’s Restaurants. Ralph Bryan Arlene and John Lucille Gibson Sara Gozalo (See 2010) $1,000–$4,999 Dancap Productions, Brothers Anna Gincherman Ursula Abbott- Inc. Lakisha Burke Alexander and Kirsten Tara Herweg (See 2010) Connolly Beth Rudin DeWoody Luke Burke Glantz Valerie Lonigro is playing Mindy in the Apfelbaum Family Walter Eberstadt AnnMarie Butler Susan Goldberg independent feature film Peace After Foundation Cheryl Cohen Effron Robert Cameron Renee Goldmuntz Marriage. The Araca Group, LLC Robert & Sheril Jacob Campbell Bess Brodsky Franci J. Blassberg and Freedman Family Maryellen Carew Goldstein Gabe McKinley’s new play, Floodplains, Joseph Rice Foundation Sandra Carlson Robyn Goodman had a reading with Naked Angels at The Boneau/Bryan-Brown, Jane Harmon Dean Carpenter Karen Goodwin Cherry Pit in New York City. The reading was Inc. Associates Karen Chen Melanie Gordon- directed by Playwriting chair Pippin Parker. Denise and Vincent Richard Hester Dana Cobb Felsman DeGiaimo Clara and Bevis Donna and Brian Joseph Grano Susanne and Douglas Longstreth Coffman Morgan Greco D. Durst Paula Maldonado Jerold Cohen Robert Greco

4 | THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA *As of August 2010 Kathryn Grody Donald Monroe Splinter Group We would like to 2010 Trent Gunter Sally Morse Productions, LLC take an opportunity to note with special Nina Burns, Chaelon Costello, Sara Ellen and Robert Cathleen Murphy Stephen Stabile appreciation our Gozalo ’09, Ema Lakovic, and Benjamin Gutenstein Daniel Murphy Marcia Stankiewicz alumni donors: Thys appeared in Poliglot Theater’s John Haber Julie Musicus Helen Stoddard Sherri Eden Barber Neither Heaven Nor Earth, presented at Alexa Harris-Ralff and John Nash Edward Strong James Beshear The New School for Drama. Steven Ralff Noise Ball, Inc Timothy Sulka Mark Cajigao Pamela Henning Adrian Noriega Deborah and Thomas Elizabeth Carlson (See 2008) Faust Checho Joyce Hermelin Erin O’Keefe Super Jennie Contuzzi Angela Hanks’ play *high five*was Keith Higbee Suzy O’Kelly Tech Access Business Rachel Cornish performed in this year’s FringeNYC. West Hyler Mathew Olin Systems, Inc. Jack Forbes, Jr. It was produced by Garlia Jones’ Hugh Hysell Mitra O’Neill Ashley Tracey Randi Kosten Blackboard Reading Series and featured Amy Jacobs Gregory Outwater Lee and Marvin Traub Brynne Kraynak LaChrisha Brown and Kiel Perry. Elaine Joos Gilbert Parkin James Triner Kathy MacGowan Erich Jungwirth Joel Parmentier Kara van Norden Why They Came by Jessica Hinds was Aidan O’Shea Jennifer and Richard Jennifer Partsch Barbara von Borstel presented in the Strawberry One-Act Lynn Sakowitz Kang Benjamin Parvin Laura von Holt Play Festival. The production was Alok Tewari Gordon Kelly Lisa Patterson Robin Wag directed by Lucia A. Peters and featured Kimberly Kelley Susan Pienkos-Kostbar Diana and Donald John Hurley and Bruce A. Lemon. Joan Jennifer Kemp Robert Pimsner Wagner Kane directed a performance of Natalie Kevin and Tamara DiAna Pisarri Thomas Watson Meena’s HIROSHI—ME, ME, ME as part Kinsella Marilyn Prince Colette Whitney of the festival. Orlando Knauss Jean-Michele Quincey Amy Wigler and Victor Lesniewski (See 2008) Concetta Kristan Amy Rafa Michael Mellen Margaret Lamee Mark Redanty Jill Wood Donaldo Prescod and Sue White John Lanasa Michael Redman Mark Wood appeared in Patrick’s Story by Kyle J.D. Area, LLC Jennifer Revoir Linda Wright Bradstreet, in a production directed Staci Levine Rafael Rivera Antoine Young by John Hurley at The Payan Theatre Robert Levy and Dan Rivera Technologies, Kyle Young at Roy Arias Studios and Theatres in Sacher Inc. New York City. Amy Lienert Diana Rodriguez Julia Taylor Ross made her primetime Joseph Linarello Liza Rodriguez- television debut with a featured role on Pamela Lloyd Krontilik ABC’s Rookie Blue. Peggy and Donald Harold V. Rogers Lloyd Solene Romieu Corey Triplett, Seth Rabinowitz ‘04, John Ludwig Rose Polidoro Alumni Join and Tara Herweg ’09 joined Alabama Suzanne Ludwig- Enterprises, Inc. Shakespeare Festival’s Intern Nowakowski David Rosenberg Young Patrons Company for the 2010–2011 season. Shanta Mali Joshua Rosenblum Jonathan Mallow Steven Rummer Society Jeffrey Marshall James Ryan MAKE A GIFT Timothy J. Marshall Mary Sams The New School Young Patrons Society is Your participation makes a difference! Lesley Mazzotta SaraBenjamin’s LLC a network of young professionals under 45 To make a gift, visit Tom McCann Roseanne Saraceno who share a desire to help emerging artists. www.newschool.edu/giving. Dayna McCallum William Schaeffer Through its work, the society supports the Jessica McCarthy Schall & Ashenfarb gifted students at the performing arts divisions Kimberly McFadden Lauren Class of The New School—Mannes College The Mark McIntire Schneider New School for Music, The New School for James McKenna Scott Schneider Drama, and The New School for Jazz and Melinda McLellan Steven Schnepp Contemporary Music. Ilse Melamid Erica Schwartz Alumni members include Mark Cajigao Margie and Robert Andrew Serna (Drama ’08), Sherri Eden Barber (Drama ’09), Mellen Lisa Shaub Cody Franchetti (Mannes ’99), Steven Ganz (Jazz Shara Mendelson Arnold Shapiro ’93), and Geoffrey McDonald (Mannes ’09). Robert Mickelsen Keith Sherman For more information, contact Lane Laruen Mitchell and Margery Singer Peace at [email protected] or visit www. Michael David Sean Smith newschool.edu/giving/youngpatronssociety.

5 the International Contemporary Ensemble, Drama Faculty News and at the Bard Music Festival. This fall, he performed with Musica Sacra at Alice Tully Casey Biggs (Directing) directed the new Playwrights Hall, the American Symphony Orchestra at musical O’Sullivan Stew, with a book written Carnegie Hall, and Voices of Ascension. Win Big in by Laura Maria Censabella (Playwriting), for the Greene Arts Foundation. Biggs will Dying City, by Christopher Shinn (Playwriting), Samuel French direct a new adaptation of A Christmas Carol had its Melbourne premiere this past August. at the Morgan Library in December and is It was also produced recently in Edmonton, Festival collaborating with Robert Hoyt (director of Canada; Billings, Montana; and Austin, Texas. Professional Development) on a re-imagining Tom Vasiliades (Movement) gave Alexander of several Chekhov plays for Drama’s First Five students from The New School for Technique lessons and physical character Look series. Drama were among 40 playwrights named coaching to the cast of the Donmar as semifinalists in the 35th Annual Samuel Everlast, a new musical by Nicole Burdette Warehouse production of Creditors at BAM, French Off-Off Broadway Short Play Festival (Playwriting), is being developed for Broadway. directed by Alan Rickman. He will give lessons this July. The 40 semifinalists were chosen to the cast of the Abbey Theatre production of Laura Maria Censebella (Playwriting) from 880 submissions, a record number for John Gabriel Borkman, to be performed at The completed a residency at the Virginia Center the festival; entries came from participants Public in New York City with a cast including for the Creative Arts. Her play Carla Cooks the in playwriting workshops, university theater Lindsay Duncan, Alan Rickman, and Fiona War was read by m2 productions and directed programs, and professional companies from Shaw. Vasiliades had a role in an independent by Valentina Fratti (Directing) at the Bleecker around the world. The plays were presented feature with the working title Red Square, Street Theatre, and her play Interviewing Miss in the weeklong festival at the Lion Theatre and will also perform in productions of Anton Davis was presented in the 2010 Ensemble on New York City’s Theatre Row. A full Chekhov’s The Seagull and Donald Margulies’ Studio Theatre Marathon of One Act Plays. program of plays was presented each night, Sight Unseen. Censebella also received a 2010 EST/Sloan at which a panel of judges selected plays to Foundation Commission for a new science- Gary Vena (Theater History) was invited to move to the finals. based play. This past summer, she served as London to teach a literature course entitled The five New School playwrights are a mentor in the Early Stages Program of the From the Ancients to the Moderns. The course E.J.C. Calvert ’10, The Bear (A Tragedy); Paul Berkshire Fringe Festival. was sponsored by Manhattan College in David Young ’09, Christians Having Sex in Riverdale, New York. Silence; Josh Beerman ’11, A History of Kites; Jane Ann Crum (Theater History) was the J. Julian Christopher ’05, Schwarz! (Hansel production dramaturg for Liz Duffy Adams’ Shelley Wyant (Movement) taught mask work und Gretel); and Jessica Hinds ’10, What Dies new play, OR, at the Magic Theatre in San as a Senior Specialist Fulbright Scholar at Inside Us While We Live. In addition, Sherri Francisco. The play was directed by Magic’s the National Institute for Theater and Film Eden Barber ’09 directed Dance Lessons by artistic director, Loretta Greco. in Bucharest. She also directed an all- Josh Koenigsberg; Paul Takacs ’11 directed female version of Glengarry Glen Ross at the Marcia Haufrecht (Acting) spent the summer Beerman’s play, which featured Drama Rosendale Theater in Rosendale, New York. teaching acting workshops in Lisbon. students Tristan Morris, Tanis Parenteau, and Erin Hart; Mason Beggs ’10 directed Josh Hecht (CoLab 3) directed workshops of Calvert’s play; and Diana Basmajian ’08 new plays by Winter Miller at Voice and Vision, directed Young’s play, which featured Brynne a musical by Miller and Lance Horne at The Kraynak ’09. Public/Joe’s Pub, plays by Megan Mostyn- Six plays were selected in the final round Brown at New York Stage and Film and the for publication and licensing by Samuel LAByrinth Summer Intensive, and plays by French, Inc. Koenigsberg’s Dance Lessons, Harrison Rivers and Jordan Seavey at New directed by Barber, and Calvert’s The Bear York Theatre Workshop. His work with The Gay (A Tragedy), moved to the finals and were Agenda played at Ars Nova and Joe’s Pub, and selected as two of this year’s six winners. his work with Ping Chong and Company was New School for Drama playwrights have remounted at The Kennedy Center. been well represented in past Samuel French In summer 2010, Dr. Christopher Roselli festivals, and many Drama entrants have (Voice) performed in the Lincoln Center What’s New participated as semifinalists and finalists. Festival with the New York Philharmonic, with Past winners include two-time winner NEW SCHOOL ALUMNI Bekah Brunstetter ’07, Drama’s associate DIRECTORY: READY IN 2012 director, Matthew Kelty ’02, Kitt Lavoie ’01, The next alumni directory will be ready in 2012. Gabe McKinley ’09, Janine Nabers ’08, and Ted Harris Connect will start contacting alumni next Nusbaum ’06. 2 year. If you have questions, email alumni@ newschool.edu or call 212.229.5662, x3784.

6 | THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DRAMA First Cohort In Memoriam of Alumni Herbert Robinson

Association It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Herbert Robinson. Mr. Board Members Robinson died on June 14, 2010, at the age of 94. A bibliophile and philanthropist, Appointed he was a generous supporter of education Faculty member Paul Ryan Rudd Photo: Don Hamerman and the humanities, as evidenced by the The New School Alumni Association is pleased Herbert Robinson Drama Book & Script to announce its first cohort of board members. Collection, which was named after him. His Drawing from a strong pool of candidates, In Memoriam generous contributions of books and plays the university has appointed 11 alumni is the reason that the library is as extensive representing all aspects of the university. The Paul Ryan Rudd as it is, with many of the volumes identified new members began serving their two-year with his bookplate. Robert Hoyt, director terms on July 1, 2010. With advisement from The New School for Drama community of Professional Development at Drama, this new group, a full 40-member board will be mourns the passing of Drama faculty member described him as a modern-day de Medici. in place by July 2012. Paul Ryan Rudd. Paul, 70, passed away Staunch supporters like Mr. Robinson are One of the group’s first tasks is to help on August 12 at his home in Greenwich, why Drama has opportunities to grow and identify and recruit future board members. Connecticut of pancreatic cancer. He faced thrive, and for that support we are truly They will also develop board objectives and that battle with the clear-eyed intelligence, grateful. He will be sincerely missed. 2 goals and help shape an alumni program that wry sense of humor, and hunger for experience provides alumni with even more opportunities that he brought to every aspect of his life. to network, socialize, and connect with and Paul taught for as long as his health would support the university. allow and continued to check in with his The first group of board members come students when he could no longer teach on a from a wide range of professional backgrounds regular basis. Drama director Robert LuPone and graduation years. Their expertise in various knew Paul before the two came to The New fields and their common desire to build a School and was pleased to be a member of strong alumni presence within the New School the faculty with Paul his first year. When he community will be invaluable. became director of the program, he asked Paul to assume the role of associate director. Paul’s The New School Alumni Association creative ideas and forthright feedback played Herbert Robinson Photo: Michael DiVito Board of Directors a large role in shaping the program as it exists Martha Alexander ’79 (Parsons, BFA, today. He inspired many students in his years Communication Design) at The New School for Drama. As an artist Mark Cajigao ’08 (The New School for Drama, and a mentor, Paul will be sorely missed by MFA, Acting) the theater industry and The New School. 2 Colin Dean ’06 (New School Jazz, BFA, Jazz Performance) Angela Gadeliya ’05 (Mannes, PDPL, Performance) THE PAUL RYAN RUDD Chasson Gracie ’03 (Milano, MS, Urban Policy) SCHOLARSHIP FUND Michelle Hartman ’06 (The New School for To honor Paul’s lifetime commitment to theater Social Research, PhD, Political Science) and education, The New School for Drama Jahmila Joseph ’06 (Eugene Lang College, BA, and Paul’s family have established The Paul Ryan Rudd Scholarship Fund. The fund will Robert Hoyt, Director of Professional Development Liberal Arts) 212.229.5859 x2630 Dee MacDonald-Miller ’75 (Parsons, BFA, provide financial support for deserving [email protected] Environmental Design) students enrolled at The New School for Jessica Arnold, Director of Alumni Relations Michael McKinnon ’05 (Parsons, Cert., Drama. If you are interested in giving to the 212.229.5662 x3784 Interior Design) fund or would like more information, contact [email protected] James Stenerson ’80 (The New School, MA, Gift Accounting at 212.229.5662 x3991 or Contributors Robert Hoyt, Latoya Crump, and at [email protected]. Mary Hastings Media Studies) Produced by Communications and External Affairs Morris Yankell ’86 (Milano, MA, Human Resources) For updated information, visit www.newschool. edu/alumni/about. 2 7 79 Fifth Avenue, 17th floor, New York, NY 10003

NEWS | Fall 2010

In This Issue Cover Story: Drama Graduates’ Theater Companies: It’s All About Collaboration Message from the Director Alumni News Joe Mantello Is Drama’s 2010-2011 Artist-in-Residence Samuel French Play Festival Faculty News

The New School for Drama Theater Stay Connected New Visions 151 Bank Street, 3rd floor New York City

Tweet, tweet! Find out about the 2010 Free general admission. Reservations latest happenings by following The recommended; for reservations, call Ticket New School Alumni Association at December 8–11, 2010 Central at 212.279.4200 or visit www. www.twitter.com/newschoolalumni. ticketcentral.com. New Visions Join more than 2,200 alumni as The New School for Drama Directing Festival For more information and a complete fans of The New School Alumni schedule of performances, visit www. The festival features three plays in repertory, Association at www.facebook.com/ newschool.edu/drama. highlighting the work of Drama’s graduating newschoolalumni. directors and actors. To receive invitations and news Don Juan Comes Back from the War about future alumni events, don’t by Ödön von Horváth, translated by forget to send your current email Christopher Hampton, directed by Tim address to [email protected]. Butterfield Extend your professional network Medea with your classmates and other by Euripides, translated by Michael Collier alumni by joining the official alumni and Georgia Machemer, directed by group on LinkedIn at www.linkedin. Kathryn McHugh com/in/newschoolalumni. The Country by Martin Crimp, directed by Paul Takacs