The New School for Drama has begun its First Look performance series, which features presentations of classical and contemporary works staged in a final rehearsal atmosphere with minimal sets, lights, costumes, and props. The first offering was Henrik Ibsen’s The Pillars of Society this past October 15-18. The series continues with Stage Door by Edna Ferber and George S. Kaufman, November 5-8, and finishes with William Shakespeare’s All’s Well That Ends Well, December 10-13.

“Workshop performances enable our students to get to the heart of real theater work,” said New School Drama Director Robert LuPone of the productions. “This year for the first time we are partnering with the Drama League, and each of the productions will be professionally directed by one of their fellows. These rising talents will be great mentors to our students, especially those in our directing program who will work closely with the fellows.”

A reception followed the Friday performance of The Pillars of Society, and was attended by the cast and the audience, which included a number of Drama alumni. “We always have a ‘day-after-opening-night’ reception to celebrate the work,” explains Robert Hoyt, Drama’s director of Professional Development, “and Friday performances are also Drama’s unofficial alumni night. We welcome all Drama alumni back for the show, and to reconnect at the party afterwards—it’s a great way to keep in touch.”

This past performance and reception was also attended by Herbert Robinson, an avid supporter and benefactor to The New School. Drama’s loaning library, the Herbert Robinson Drama Book & Script Collection, is named in his honor, and contains more than 6,000 plays, screenplays, and books on film, theater history, and criticism—many of which were donated by Mr. Robinson from his extensive personal collection. In 1981, he endowed the Alice Robinson Scholarship in honor of his late wife that supports students at Parsons The New School for Design. This year Mr. Robinson has established a $50,000 charitable trust donation to The New School for Drama: The H. Robinson Drama and Script Library Trust, as well as making a matching donation to Parsons.

Hoyt says, "It is because of staunch supporters such as Mr. Robinson that we have opportunities to grow and thrive here at Drama and The New School, and for that we are truly grateful."

For more information on the First Look Performance Series, visit the Drama website.