THE NEW SCHOOL SPRING 2006 PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAMS
PANELS, LECTURES, READINGS AND SCREENINGS

NEW YORK, January 19, 2006—This spring, The New School presents an array of performing arts events, including lectures, discussions, and performances, at three of its schools: The New School for General Studies, Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, and The New School for Drama. 

The New School for General Studies continues to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Public Theater with The Public Talks Roundtable—a series of discussions with theater luminaries including John Guare and Suzan-Lori Parks.  This spring, two discussions will be held: “Writers and the Public Theater” in February, and “The Public Theater Goes to War” in March. Also in March, playwright Terrence McNally moderates "Writers of the Storm:  Fake News and Public Decency in the Age of Terror," a symposium that focuses on the concept of decency, and how it impacts writers and society at large. Panelists include Bob Hershon, Arthur Kopit, and Paul Robeson, Jr.

The New School for Drama kicks off the semester with Random Acts, a season-long, free event featuring the thesis projects of the school’s third-year actors, directors, and playwrights. The plays are drawn from classic and contemporary sources—including well-known playwrights like Chirstopher Durang and Clifford Odets. Of the 30 presentations, 9 are original works by The New School for Drama's playwrights.

Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts presents three events.  In March, students perform Witold Gombrowicz’s Operetta at La MaMa Experimental Theater along with theater actors Judith Malina and Hanon Reznikov. And in April, Lang presents The Odets Project, a multi-media production developed by Professor Cecilia Rubino that explores the creative process and work of Clifford Odets and other members of The Group Theater; and  the Lang Spring Dance Performance which honors legendary choreographer, Martha Graham. As part of the event, students will perform Graham's celebrated work, Steps in the Street along with the repertory works of faculty and guest artists.

A full calendar of events is attached. Please note, all public programs are subject to change and updates will be provided on a monthly basis. Contact Deborah Kirschner, Caroline Oyama, or Julie Novacek with any questions.

 

February 2006

The public talks roundtable: writers and the public theater
Thursday, February 2, 7:00 pm
The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street
Admission: $10. For tickets, visit the box office at 66 West 12th St, open Mon–Thurs 1–8 p.m. and Fri 1–7 p.m.; or contact 212.229.5488 or [email protected]
More Information: Call 212.229.5353 or visit www.newschool.edu/publicprograms.
As a part of The New School for General Studies’ year-long celebration of the Public Theater’s 50th anniversary, two generations of Public Theater playwrights gather to discuss their experiences. Participants are John Guare, Suzan-Lori Parks, and Diana Son; Oskar Eustis, artistic director, moderates. For a complete schedule of anniversary events, visit www.publictheater.org, or call 212.539.8500. Sponsored by The Public Theater's 50th Anniversary Celebration and the Writing Program and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School.

 

The New School for Drama presents: RANDOM ACTS, A One Act Play Festival
February 16–April 29, 2006. Programs run Thurs–Sat at 8 p.m., and Sat at 3 p.m. on the dates listed.
Location: The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street, Third Floor
Admission: Free. For reservations, please call Ticket Central at 212.279.4200
More information: visit www.drama.newschool.edu
The New School for Drama’s one-act festival features the thesis projects of the graduating actors, playwrights, and directors. Performances comprise 30 presentations of works drawn from classic and contemporary repertories—including 9 original works by The New School for Drama's playwrights.

WEEK 1: February 16-18

  • The Wild Goose
    By John Patrick Shanley; directed by Rolando Ramos. With Christopher Cooper, Jessica Hawrys, Bill McAdams.
  • Defacing Michael Jackson
    By Aurin Squire; directed by Denyse Owens. With Nick Arens, Cristofer L. Davenport, Binta Jamison, Latoya Nash, Lloyd Watts.
  • The Lady of Fadima
    by Edward Allan Baker with Nancy Beard, Nicole Brandon, Cristofer L. Davenport, Nicole Lomax, Christopher Reber
  • Pet Shop
    By Gunnar Atli Cauthery; directed by Jillian Singer. With James Anderson, Tom Hedlund, Eunjee Lee, Robert Postrozny.
  • The Nursery
    By Clifford Odets; directed by Joe Ragno. With Kevin Hooshangi, Amy Klewitz

 

MARCH 2006

The New School for Drama presents: RANDOM ACTS, A One Act Play Festival
February 16–April 29, 2006. Programs run Thurs–Sat at 8 p.m., and Sat at 3 p.m. on the dates listed.
Location: The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street, Third Floor
Admission: Free. For reservations, please call Ticket Central at 212.279.4200
More information: visit www.drama.newschool.edu
The New School for Drama’s one-act festival features the thesis projects of the graduating actors, playwrights, and directors. Performances comprise 30 presentations of works drawn from classic and contemporary repertories—including 9 original works by The New School for Drama's playwrights.

WEEK 2: March 2-4

  • Naomi in the Living Room
    By Christopher Durang; directed by Selena Ambush. With Megan Becker, Lisa Veshecco.
  • Sisters
    By Cherie Vogelstein; directed by Merve Taskan. With Nancy Beard, Michelle French.
  • Circling Back—NEW! Original Work
    By Ted Nusbaum; directed by Rolando Ramos. With Jasmine Ireland, Jeramiah Peay
  • Hello Out There
    By William Saroyan; directed by Helena Prezio. With Christopher Cooper, Jessica Hawrys, Eunjee Lee, Bill McAdams.
  • Heart in the Ground
    By Douglas Hill; directed by Jillian Singer. With Sara Michelle Bickweat, Aaron Black.

WEEK 3: March 16-18

  • The Sleepers
    By Christopher Shinn; directed by Helena Prezio. With Ibby Cizmar, Tom Hedlund, Robert Palmer.
  • POOF!
    By Lynn Nottage; directed by Denyse Owens. With Binta Jamison, Latoya Nash
  • Theodore and Claire—NEW! Original Work
    By William Charles Meny; directed by Rick Joyce. With Nick Arens, Eileen Reardon.
  • Departures—NEW! Original Work
    By Matthew Jacobs; directed by Jillian Singer. With James Anderson, Xanthe Elbrick.
  • Recklessness
    By Eugene O’Neill; directed by Jonathan Bank. With Aaron Black, Carolin Haydée López, Melina McGrew, Jeramiah Peay.

WEEK 4: March 30-April 1

  • This is Jeopardy—NEW! Original Work
    By Killian J. Beldy; directed by Selena Ambush. With Ibby Cizmar, Christopher Reber.
  • March
    By Alberto Adellach. With Eunjee Lee, Salisha Miller, Monica Risi M.
  • A Real Man—NEW! Original Work
    By Deen; directed by Rolando Ramos. With Aaron Black, Richard Kass.
  • Cats and Dogs
    By Cherie Vogelstein. With Daniel Case, Peter Allen Fisher, Carolin Haydée López, Leda Uberbacher.
  • WASP
    By Steve Martin; directed by Rick Joyce. With Nick Arens, Lenny Levi, Jeramiah Peay, Eileen Reardon, Anna Robertson, Joey Schaljo.

the public talks roundtable: the public theater goes to war
Thursday, March 9, 7:00 pm
The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12th Street
Admission: $10. For tickets, visit the box office at 66 West 12th St, open Mon–Thurs 1–8 p.m. and Fri 1–7 p.m.; or contact 212.229.5488 or [email protected]
More Information: Call 212.229.5353 or visit www.newschool.edu/publicprograms.
The Public Talks Roundtable series continues at The New School for General Studies. Writers, directors, designers, and performers who have been part of productions that address war talk about the spirit of their times and how theater can effect change.  Panelists include Jessica Hagedorn and Brett C. Leonard with others to be announced.  For more information and to see the complete schedule of anniversary events, visit www.publictheater.org or call 212.539.8500.  Sponsored by The Public Theater's 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Writing Program and the Vera List Center for Art and Politics at The New School.

OPERETTA
Thursday–Saturday, March 9–11 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 12, 5:00 p.m.
La MaMa Experimental Theatre, 74A East 4th Street
Admission: Tickets - $10 general admission, $5 students. For tickets, visit the box office at 66 West 12th St, open Mon–Thurs 1–8 p.m. and Fri 1–7 p.m.; or contact 212.229.5488 or [email protected].
More Information: Call 212.229.5353 or visit www.newschool.edu/publicprograms.
Lang students perform Witold Gombrowicz's Operetta, a witty parody that examines themes of personal identity in capitalist and Communist societies. The politically engaged production will feature legendary theater actors Judith Malina and Hanon Reznikov, and will use the tools of German dramatist Erwin Piscator, who established the dramatic workshop in 1939 at The New School.

WRITERS OF THE STORM: FAKE NEWS AND PUBLIC DECENCY IN THE AGE OF TERROR
Moderated by Terrance McNally
Tuesday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.
Location: Theresa Lang Center, The New School, 55 West 13th Street, Second Floor. (Between 5th & 6th Aves.)
Admission: $20. For tickets, visit the box office at 66 West 12th St, open Mon.-Thurs. 1-8 pm and Fri. 1-7 pm or contact 212.229.5488 or [email protected]
More Information: Call 212.229.5353 or visit www.newschool.edu/publicprograms.
"Writers of the Storm: Fake News and Public Decency in the Age of Terror" invites writers to discuss what the concept of decency means, who gets to decide the definition and why, and whether that decision diminishes the power of the pen, the dignity of writers, and the importance of diverse opinion. The event is moderated by playwright Terrence McNally and hosted by Jayne Lyn Stahl, poet and founder of Writers-at-Large. Panelists include Danny Goldberg, chairman and CEO of Artemis Records and Air America Radio; Bob Hershon, poet; Arthur Kopit, playwright, screenwriter, and author of “Phantom of the Opera”; and Paul Robeson, Jr., journalist and civil rights activist. This symposium is a sister event to the panel on August 9, 2005 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles honoring Writers-at-Large, an emerging writers’ advocacy group based in California, which increases awareness of the impact of the written word and speaks out against the rising tide of censorship.

 

APRIL 2006

The New School for Drama presents: RANDOM ACTS, A One Act Play Festival
February 16–April 29, 2006. Programs run Thurs–Sat at 8 p.m., and Sat at 3 p.m. on the dates listed.
Location: The New School for Drama Theater, 151 Bank Street, Third Floor
Admission: Free. For reservations, please call Ticket Central at 212.279.4200
More information: visit www.drama.newschool.edu
The New School for Drama’s one-act festival features the thesis projects of the graduating actors, playwrights, and directors. Performances comprise 30 presentations of works drawn from classic and contemporary repertories—including 9 original works by The New School for Drama's playwrights.

WEEK 5: April 13-15

  • Mamet Women
    By Frederick Stroppel; directed by Denyse Owens. With: Jessica Hawrys, Alessandra Ziviani.
  • The Problem
    By A. R. Gurney, Jr.; directed by Jillian Singer. With Nick Arens, Joey Schaljo.
  • The House That Crack Built—NEW! Original Work
    Adapted by Djola Branner from the book by Clark Taylor; original Music by Aaron Barnell; directed by Rolando Ramos; With Aaron Black, Nicole Brandon, Michelle French, Christopher Reber, Lloyd Watts.
  • Lost
    By Mary Louise Wilson; directed by Selena Ambush. With Salisha Miller, Monica Risi M.
  • Pischer—NEW! Original Work
    By Ted Nusbaum; directed by Rick Joyce. With Richard Kass, Lenny Levi.

WEEK 6: April 27-29

  • Mary and Joseph—NEW! Original Work
    By Matthew Jacobs; directed by Jillian Singer. With Kevin Hooshangi, Lenny Levi, Eva Shure.
  • For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls
    By Christopher Durang; directed by Helena Prezio. With Tom Hedlund, Robert Palmer, Jasmine Ireland, Alessandra Ziviani.
  • The Philadelphia
    By David Ives; directed by Rolando Ramos. With Christopher Cooper, Amy Klewitz, Lennard Ridsdale.
  • Fantasy Girl—NEW! Original Work
    By LyaNisha Gonzalez; directed by Selena Ambush. With Nicole Brandon, LyaNisha Gonzalez, Binta Jamison, Nicole Lomax.
  • Selected scenes from Metamorphoses
    By Mary Zimmerman; directed by Rick Joyce. With Lauren Balmer, Sara Michelle Bickweat, Daniel Case, Cristofer L. Davenport, Nick Fleming, Jasmine Ireland, Lenny Levi, Melina McGrew, Amy Miller, and Lennard Ridsdale.

The Odets Project
Thursday, April 20 & Friday, April 21, 8:00 p.m.
Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, Wollman Hall
Admission: This event is free and open to the general public.
In 1935, Clifford Odets, Lee Strasburg, and Elia Kazan, all members of the Group Theater, taught a symposium on modern drama at The New School, and later, Odets became the voice of Depression America. With his plays, written for The Group Theatre in the 1930's, he reclaimed the theater as a medium of prophetic social outcry. Using documentary material including Odet's plays, letters and diaries, Cecilia Rubino, professor in Lang College's Theater Department, will create a multi-media production that explores the creative process and work of this seminal and often astonishing writer.

 

MAY 2006

Spring Dance Performance Featuring Martha Graham's 'Steps in the Street'
Friday, May 5th, 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 6th, 2:00 & 8:00 p.m.
The Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue
Admission: Tickets - $10 general admission, $5 students. For tickets, visit the box office at 66 West 12th St, open Mon–Thurs 1–8 p.m. and Fri 1–7 p.m.; or contact 212.229.5488 or [email protected].
More Information: Call 212.229.5353 or visit www.newschool.edu/publicprograms.
In 1933, Martha Graham organized a revolutionary modern dance series at The New School, and years later the university's dance hall was dedicated to her.  In celebration of Lang's 20th anniversary, Eugene Lang College's dance program will honor legendary choreographer Martha Graham in their Spring Dance Concert.  Students will perform Graham's celebrated work, “Steps in the Street” along with the repertory works of faculty and guest artists.

 

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The New School, located in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village, is a center of academic excellence where intellectual and artistic freedoms thrive. The 8,800 matriculated students and 10,000 continuing education students who attend the university’s eight schools enjoy a disciplined education supported by small class sizes, superior resources, and renowned working faculty who practice what they teach. Artists, scholars, and students from all walks of life attend its diverse programs and can earn everything from program certificates to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. When The New School was founded in 1919, its mission was to create a place where global peace and justice were more than theoretical ideals. Today, The New School continues that mission and endeavors to foster worthy and just citizens of the world. For more information, visit www.newschool.edu.