Posted on June 26th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
by American Theatre Wing
Ellen Stewart
Off-Off Broadway pioneer Ellen Stewart gave a candid interview to SDCF Executive Director David Diamond for a packed audience of theatre artists at ArtsConnection on June 13, 1994. The central focus of the interview is her founding and continued artistic leadership of La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. She begins at the beginning, explaining the origins of the institution and the impetus behind its creation. Ms. Stewart reminisces on her early funding efforts for the company - by selling her fashion designs on Fifth Avenue as the first African American designer to work for Saks. She covers the struggle to produce the work of marginalized artists in the early 60’s, her confrontations with city officials and landlords and the emergence of her organization as a “Theatre Club”. Ellen then guides the audience through the inspiring history of LaMaMa’s international experience, both working abroad and supporting international artists’ work in the U.S. She confides that LaMaMa’s first international expeditions were to services the careers of American playwrights; to expose their work to a more willing European audience who might positively review the productions. LaMaMa continues to work internationally as a result of the “give and take” mentality developed by the institution’s commitment to producing work that is “more universal in their appeal”. This fascinating interview concludes with Ms. Stewart looking ahead, expounding on what she sees for the future of LaMaMa and its cadre artists and resident companies.
Originally recorded on - June 13, 1994.
Running time - 1:17:56.
For more information see SDCF Masters of the Stage’s Ellen Stewart program page.
You can also download the Ellen Stewart program (mp3).
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Posted on June 24th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
by American Theatre Wing
Regional Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House
Goodspeed Opera House’s team - director/lyricist Martin Charnin (Annie), press representative Max Eisen, associate producer Sue Frost, musical supervisor Michael O’Flaherty, director Charles Repole (Gentleman Prefer Blondes), and general manager Howard Sherman - discuss Goodspeed’s history and focus on the American musical, the business aspects of a regional theatre, being a part of the community, and the advantages of developing production at a distance from New York.
Original airdate - April 1, 1995.
Running time - 1:00:00.
For more information see Working in the Theatre’s Regional Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House program page.
You can also download the Regional Theatre: Goodspeed Opera House program (mp4).
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Posted on June 17th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
by American Theatre Wing
Performance
The panel of performers - Betty Buckley (Sunset Blvd), Liz Callaway (Cats), Valerie Harper (Death Defying Acts), Brian Murray (Racing Demon), Roger Rees (Tom Stoppard’s Indiscretions), Frances Sternhagen (The Heiress) - talk about the different ways they started in the business, training at the Royal Shakespeare Company, notable acting teachers, how to prepare for auditions, replacing in a show with an abbreviated rehearsal period, and how to keep performances fresh during a long run.
Original airdate - September 1, 1995.
Running time - 1:30:00.
For more information see Working in the Theatre’s Performance program page.
You can also download the Performance program (mp4).
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Posted on June 12th, 2009 at 10:40 am
by American Theatre Wing
Gillian Lynne
On February 4, 1996 the Drama League Directors Project co-hosted with SDCF a moderated discussion between Director/Choreographer Gillian Lynne and musical Director/Arranger Marvin Laird. In this candid discussion of Gillian’s life in the theatre - the prolific dancer, choreographer, director of musicals and straight plays speaks of the mentors who helped her develop her comprehensive “theatrical vocabulary”. She demystifies the true genesis of Cats, explaining that her participation began over a glass of wine with Andrew Lloyd Webber. She discusses how that musical changed the way actors would be trained in the UK, for the better. She covers her own training and her unlikely entrée into the business of choreographing; developing Jazz ballets with Dudley Moore. She speaks frankly on what it means to be a woman in show business and what steps she is taking to champion the cause of increasing dancer’s respect in this industry.
Originally recorded on - February 1, 1996.
Running time - 1:18:15.
For more information see SDCF Masters of the Stage’s Gillian Lynne program page.
You can also download the Gillian Lynne program (mp3).
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Posted on June 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
by American Theatre Wing
Playwright, Director and Choreographer
The multi-disciplined panelists — director/choreographer Jeff Calhoun (Busker Alley), director/playwright Michael Leeds (Swinging on a Star), actor/playwright Anne Meara (After-Play), director Mike Ockrent (Big, Crazy For You, Me and My Girl), director/choreographer Lee Roy Reams (Hello, Dolly! revival), director Lloyd Richards (Fences), and director John Tillinger (Deathtrap) — discuss the director’s role in relationship to the playwright, the differences in developing of musicals and plays, directing revivals, the challenges of auditions, and the pros and cons of workshops.
Original airdate - September 1, 1995.
Running time - 1:30:00.
For more information see Working in the Theatre’s Playwright, Director and Choreographer program page.
You can also download the Playwright, Director and Choreographer program (mp4).
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