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The Fellows Gazette Volume 57 Published by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre Fall 2011 Two New Fellows! In the Spotlight: Jed Davis

From the vantage point of his 90th birthday, Jed Davis maintains there was no time when he was not actively involved in theatre. Although no Beverley Byers-Pevitts Robert Benedetti professional theatre graced his small hometown of The College of Fellows of the American Theatre Stillwater, MN, that didn’t deter Jed. He merely welcomes two new Fellows who will be inducted into rallied his friends, penned a script (which usually the College at our annual meeting in April 2012. bore a close resemblance to some recent movie), built the stage, settings, and audience seating in an Nominated by Fellow Gil Lazier, Dr. Byers-Pevitts adjacent barn, rehearsed and then performed the was the founding president of the Association for show for obliging neighbors. No formal permissions Theatre in Higher Education. Prior to founding were sought; the necessary resources and spaces ATHE, she had been a major force in the American were simply commandeered. The neighborhood Theatre Association. She is an editor and author, a response was encouragingly positive. published and produced playwright, and a distinguished theatre educator. Admittedly, Jed was not the only performer in his family. His brother played the banjo and his father Most recently, she served as President and was both a banjo player and a popular end man in Professor of Theatre at Park University. Previously, locally produced minstrel shows. Jed, a student of she served as Provost and Vice President and tap dancing, once performed a soft shoe routine in a Interim President at Texas Women’s University, minstrel performance flanked by his father and Dean of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University brother playing their banjos. of Northern Iowa, and Chair of Theatre at the University of Nevada-. Jed stayed notoriously active in theatre in elementary and high school. Upon graduating he Dr. Robert Benedetti has written six widely enrolled at the University of Minnesota and acclaimed textbooks, including his well-known The immediately fell under the active mentorship of Actor at Work, now in its 10th edition. In 2005, the theatre professors Frank Whiting and Ken Graham. Association for Theatre in Higher Education His undergraduate career was interrupted at mid- awarded him Career Achievement Award in point by four years of army service, but he returned Educational Theatre. He has also received ’s to finish his undergraduate and then his master’s Joseph Jefferson Award, the and doctoral degrees. Dramalogue Award for Directing, a Golden Globe award, and three Emmys. Jed has been on the faculties of Macalester College, Michigan State University and the University of His nominator, Fellow Jeffrey Koep, notes that Dr. . He is a major and forceful shaper of Benedetti, who is currently Professor of Theatre at children’s theatre. His leadership in professional the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the Artistic associations is the stuff legends are made of. The Director of Nevada Conservatory Theatre, has anagram soup he has commanded includes CTC, directed at such prestigious venues as the Tyrone AETA, ATA, and CTFA—among others. He has Guthrie Theatre, Milwaukee Rep, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. ■ Jed Davis continued on page 2

The Fellows Gazette 1 Jed Davis continued from page 1 IN MEMORIAM contributed as an author, an editor, an advisor, and Edward Hastings a mentor. He has also served as Dean of the College (1931-2011) of Fellows.

All who have worked with Jed—colleagues, Fellow Edward Hastings, students, and fellow administrators—admire his 80, died quietly at his caring gentleness in dealing with people, his home in Santa Fe, New resoluteness in accomplishing tasks that need to be Mexico, on 5 May 2011. He done, and his fervent service to both his profession is survived by his lifetime and the many people he so willingly serves. partner of 50 years, Eugene Barcone, his Ronald A. Willis ■ brother George of West Hartford, Connecticut, his Directory Changes / Corrections nieces and nephews and their children. Dan Carter 128 Wellington Dr. Hastings was born in New Haven, Conn., and was a State College graduate of the Yale School of Drama, and also PA 16801 received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in . Jerry L. Crawford 2263 W. Fair Avenue Hastings served in a tank battalion in the U.S. Army Marquette, MI 49855 during the Korean War. Following his discharge he wrote, “I hit New York in 1955 with my BA in Drama, Ted Herstand an Actors' Equity union card, a little mustering-out 707 Wake Robin Drive pay, and a lot of confidence.” Shelburne He worked in for 10 years as an actor, Vermont 05482 stage manager, and producer, joining forces with Email: [email protected] such theater greats as David Merrick, , Bios of the Fellows: and William Ball. A Reminder and Clarification Ball brought Hastings into the American Conservatory Theater as a founding member in Pittsburgh in 1965. Later after ACT was brought to All Fellows who were inducted into the College prior , Hastings joined it, and served as its to 2005 need to submit an updated, 100 word Artistic Director from 1986 to 1992. His productions maximum, mini-citation that can be used for our 50th of Charley's Aunt, Our Town, The Time of Your Life, Anniversary publication. The citation should and The are memorable moments in summarize the original entry which appeared in the ACT history. 40th volume plus add later achievements. His skillful but firm leadership helped ACT to survive Please send this new citation via email to Fellow the loss of its theater due to the 1989 earthquake, Robert Schanke, [email protected]. and to resolve a $1.5 million deficit while he spear- headed new projects. Also needed are volunteers to write 100 word citations of deceased Fellows. So far, Fellow Winona He guest directed at many regional theaters that Fletcher has submitted citations for the following included the Guthrie Theatre, Seattle Repertory deceased Fellows: Theater, the Denver Theatre Center, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He also directed plays in Hubert Heffner Moses Gun , Yugoslavia, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Sheppard Edmonds Jack Morrison Moscow. Thomas Poag Margaret Lynn Richard Moody Burnett Hobgood He moved to Santa Fe in the early 1990s, and while Esther Jackson Frederick O’Neal living there he directed Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, Errol Hill Lloyd Richards and The Italians in Algiers and HMS Pinafore for the Lewin Goff Santa Fe Opera, as well as other performances.

The citations you write for deceased Fellows should He was committed to young talent and a champion also be emailed to Robert Schanke. ■ Edward Hastings continued on page 3

The Fellows Gazette 2 Edward Hastings continued from page 2 TOM EVANS: On October 15, The Satchel, a new play by Tom Evans, had a staged reading at the of diversity. He always looked for “a way to make it University of Missouri Theatre work for the actor.” Barcone, his partner, stated, “I Department. It is a dramatization don't think there was anybody who loved the theater of the night that Meriwether as much as Ed. He had a wonderful life. He did what Lewis, of the famous Lewis and he wanted to do.” * Clark Expedition, committed suicide or was murdered at According to Barcone, Hastings asked to be Priscilla Grinder's Inn along the cremated “. . . and his ashes scattered in the Natchez Trace in west mountains above Santa Fe when the huge aspen Tennessee. The reading was groves turn brilliantly yellow in the fall.” directed by David Crespy, Artistic Director of the Missouri Playwrights Workshop. * Information used from “American Theatre Fellows - Edward Hastings, Invested 1991, citation by James Jewel”; Obituary of Edward Hastings by Robert Nott The Santa Fe New Mexican; FRANKLIN J. HILDY: Frank has been continuing his Obituary of Edward Hastings by the American Conservatory work on theatre-finder.org. In May he visited Theatre, San Francisco, CA; Obituary of Edward Hastings by where he has started to set up a cooperative Robert Hurwitt, Theater Critic, San Francisco Chronicle. research program with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts to bring the historic theatres of Eugene Barcone & Nat Eek ■ China into the theatre-finder project. He is also developing a project with the Central Academy of News of the Fellows Drama to have the 11th edition of the book he has co-authored for many years with the late Oscar G. : On August 14, The Mac Dowell st Brockett, History of the Theatre, translated into Colony awarded the 51 Edward Mac Dowell Medal Chinese. For the Central Academy he gave a public to Fellow Edward Albee, as an lecture on “Lessons from the Study of Historic artist who has made an Theatres.” In June he convened the International outstanding contribution to his Federation for Theatre Research working group on field. The event was on the Theatre Architecture at the Prague Quadrennial grounds of the Colony and was where he is also setting up a cooperative venture attended by nearly 1,800 guests. with the national Arts and Theatre Institute of the Speeches were given by Albee, Czech Republic to bring the historic theatres of Chairman Michael Chabon, and central into theatre-finder. In August he film and theatre director Mike traveled to to study 16th and 17th century Noh Nichols. stages along with 19th century Kabuki theatres. While there he presented a paper on “Building the MILLY BARRANGER: Milly’s book, A Gambler’s indoor playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe, London” Instinct: The Story of Broadway Producer Cheryl for the International Federation for Theatre Research Crawford, was a finalist for the George Freedley conference in Osaka. Memorial Theatre Book Award. GIL LAZIER: Gil directed three shows in a row. After JOHN CAUBLE: John has been very busy over the a successful run of Steven Dietz's Becky's New Car last several months cataloging 30 years of files and for the Banyan Theater in Sarasota, and Reza's God memorabilia from Fellow Winona Fletcher. When of Carnage in Albuquerque and Santa Fe for the inventoried, the file boxes will be forwarded to the Fusion Theatre, Gil directed The Rocky Horror Show Fellows Archive at the Ransom Library, University of for the University of New Mexico. Kathryn is busy Texas, Austin. with her water color and fiber art and recently took second prize in the nationally adjudicated Fiber Arts JERRY CRAWFORD: Jerry and family have Fiesta. In the meantime she and Gil are off to struggled recovering from the loss of Jerry's Switzerland and a cruise down the Rhine, with a few beloved wife, Patricia. Jerry is co-teaching a course days in and London thrown in. on Shakespeare this fall at Northern Michigan University with his son-in-law, Associate Professor FELICIA LONDRÉ: Felicia participated in two Paul Truckey. He plans to finish a Memoir for his conferences celebrating the centenary of family this winter and write a new play. Tennessee Williams’s birth, first at the University of Missouri-Columbia and then at the Université de JED DAVIS: Jed turned 90 this past July. He writes, Nancy. For the French conference on the theme of “I'm pretty wobbly on my feet and I take gobs of pills Williams in Europe, she presented a paper titled “En every day, but otherwise my health is holding pretty Avant! Tennessee Williams Between Hyperborea and steady. I shouldn't complain, but of course, I do.” News of the Fellows continued on page 4

The Fellows Gazette 3 News of the Fellows continued from page 3 1988. In 1952, he initiated the nation’s first college summer theatre program for black students. the Mediterranean.” Then she spent a week in Paris conducting research in the archives of the Comédie- JAMES STILL: James attended a performance of my Française and at the Bibliothèque de l’Arsenal. At play Searching for Eden at the B Street Theatre in the ATHE conference in Chicago, the American Sacramento, CA and directed the world premiere of Theatre and Drama Society presented her with the his new play about American culinary icon James 2011 Betty Jean Jones Award for an Outstanding Beard, I Love to Eat, at the Indiana Repertory Teacher of American Theatre and Drama. Theatre. (see photo on page 8) He was a visiting guest artist at Texas Christian University in Ft. MARSHALL MASON: After the tragic loss of Worth where they are doing his play Iron Kisses. His Marshall’s life-long collaborator, , interview for the Arena Stage Blog on Playwright they had a memorial for him at the Lyceum Theater residencies can be read at: in New York that was attended by about 700 people. http://newplay.arenastage.org/2011/09/newplay- Speakers included Fellow Edward Albee, Craig residencies-james-still-indiana-rep.html. Lucas, , , Gordon Davidson, , , Judd Hirsch, and PAULA VOGEL: Paula has decided to step down as Bobby Cannavale. For a bit of healing, Marshall took the chair of the playwriting department at the Yale a month-long trip to Tuscany, and when he returned, School of Drama at the end of the the New York Legislature passed the Marriage 2011-12 academic year, a year Equality Act, and so his partner of 37 years, Danny before her five-year term was Irvine, and he were legally married at City Hall. scheduled to conclude. She will WCBS recorded the ceremony and shared the event remain a member of the faculty and on the evening news. (see photo on page 8) The civil will continue teaching at the school ceremony can be seen at as she works on two projects. The http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/6085161-gay- first, One Hundred Years of couple-gets-surprise-when-applying-for-marriage- Vengeance, is a co-commission license/. He and Danny were subsequently married from Yale Repertory Theater and the Oregon in a religious service at the Cathedral of St. John the Shakespeare Festival that she plans to workshop Divine, with about 150 guests, a number of whom next year with the director Rebecca Taichman. She came from across the country. Since then, he has is also involved with the first New York revival of her returned to Mazatlan, where he has resumed Pulitzer Prize-winning play, How I Learned to Drive, working on his book about Circle Rep, The at Second Stage Theater. Transcendent Years. MARGARET WILKERSON: Margaret and her HAROLD OAKS: Harold received the Brigham Young husband, Stan, celebrated their 50th wedding University Distinguished Service Award October 7, anniversary in July at the Fitzgerald Hotel in Las 2011. It is the highest award given by the university Vegas.Family and friends joined them for a for outstanding contributions to the community, champagne reception and much fun. The event was nation and world. (see photo on page 8) He has hosted by their “children”: Darren, Cullen and Rose. served as President of the International Association (see photo on page 8) of Theatre for Children and Young People (ASSITEJ International), the US Center for ASSITEJ, and the RON WILLIS: Last spring he wrote a one-act play American Alliance for Theatre in Education, and has celebrating the life of one major philanthropist for served on the Board of Directors for the American the University of Kansas. Her name is Elizabeth Theatre Association, The National Association of Watkins and the play’s title is Elizabeth, Betsy and Schools of Theatre and several state and regional Bess: A Conversation with Elizabeth Watkins. It was Theatre organizations. In March 2011 he was asked produced by the Kansas Endowment Association to Chair the Advisory Board for the Noorda Regional and directed by Fellow Jack B. Wright. He also Theatre Center for Children and Youth, a privately published a book with Focus Press called Fragile funded center at Utah Valley University in Orem, Magic: A Guidebook for Theatre Respondents. The Utah. book focuses directly on the system for responding to theatre performance that Ron practices. (see TOM PAWLEY: On September photo on page 8) 30, Lincoln University dedicated their Thomas D. DON WILMETH: Don wrote an essay, “Brooks Pawley III Theatre. Among McNamara: Master of the Archive, or What Really those speaking at the Matters,” for A Tyranny of Documents: The dedication was Fellow Ethel Performing Arts Historian as Film Noir Detective Pitts Walker. Tom joined the faculty in 1940 and remained there until he retired in News of the Fellows continued on page 5

The Fellows Gazette 4 News of the Fellows continued from page 4 Mark Your Calendars! (Performing Arts Resources, vol. 28). The series is published by the Theatre Library Association, and Dates have been set for our next four April meetings this issue is dedicated to Brook McNamara. This in Washington, DC. summer and fall he has served as a consultant to the Theatre Communication Group in preparing for its 50th anniversary. His principle role has been to work April 21-22, 2012 on a list of theatrical milestones from roughly the 1890s to the present. He is also going into his third April 20-21, 2013 year as a juror for the George Freedley Memorial Theatre Book Award.In recent months he has April 19-20, 2014 undertaken a handful of book reviews. April 18-19, 2015 OUR 50TH!!! ALAN WOODS: Alan is officially retired as of October 1 after 39 years at Ohio State, along with teaching as well at Indiana University, California State Los Angeles, Pasadena City College, and a few Our nation’s capital is exceptionally very stunning other places along the way. Last January, he every spring—the weather usually cooperates, the received the Roy Bowen Lifetime Achievement flowers (especially tulips) are in their prime. Award from the Central Ohio Theatre Critics Circle. (see photo on page 8) His short play, The Danish, has been in repertory at Soup’s On Players in Texas all summer, and is in repertory at Age Quake Theatre in Illinois this fall. A new piece, Crones Anonymous, received a reading at the Drama Foundary in Columbus in August. And he acted in two short pieces by Ohio playwright Katherine H. Burkman, Speed Dating and Confinement, part of a bill of short plays at the Sanctuary-for-the-Arts in Sunbury, Ohio, in early October. The Fellows Gazette

published by

The College of Fellows of the American Theatre

Why not plan a week-long vacation at the time of our College meeting so you can take in all the museums and theatre at your leisure.

submit information and photos to:

Robert A. Schanke, Editor 498 Edgewood Lane Pleasant Hill, IA 50327 or [email protected]

Just visiting The Smithsonian will fill your week. College website: www.thecollegeoffellows.org

The Fellows Gazette 5 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.

Please Print

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

NOMINATION BY ______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 Milly Barranger College of Fellows 245 West 107th Street, Apt. 8F New York, NY 10025-3057

The Fellows Gazette 6 Remember When

Although the College’s collection of photos does not extend back very far in our history, we thought it might be interesting to print some of the ones we do have. Our Archivist, John Cauble, has saved all of these, and we will occasionally publish more when space permits. If you have any to add to our collection, send them to John.

Irving Berlin’s granddaughter Wayne Alan performed his magic act in 2003. entertained us in 2003.

The US Army performed in 2003.

Oscar Brockett blew out the candles Art Buchwald was a guest in 2003. on our birthday cake in 2005.

The Fellows Gazette 7 Fellows Photo Gallery

Robert Neal as James Beard in James Still’s The new book by Ron Willis Margaret Wilkerson and her husband Don I Love to Eat. Photo by Julie Curry celebrating their 50th Anniversary in July for the Indiana Repertory Theatre

Harold Oaks (center) receiving the Brigham Young University Marshall Mason (right) and Daniel Irvine were married last Distinguished Service Award July in a civil ceremony and in August at a religious ceremony. BYU President Cecil O. Samuelson (left) Photo by by Debra K. Anderson Alumni Association President, Chris Feinauer, (right)

Milly Barranger recently enjoyed Alan Woods receiving the a vacation in Venice, Italy. Roy Bowen Lifetime Achievement Award

The Fellows Gazette 8