News & Announcements

February 6, 2012

Binghamton University Department of Theatre kicks off Spring: A Broken Key, choreographed by Sam JoEllen Kuhlman FEB. 10, 11, 12

Choreographed by JoEllen Kuhlman, performed by
students of Binghamton University's Dance & Theatre
program.  

Binghamton University's Dance Company members
have a strong ballet foundation layered with modern
influences and contemporary style. The compelling
movements and emotional nuances of each performer
tells a familiar story that weaves together feelings of
love, jealousy, resentment, vengeance and acceptance.  

Don't Miss it!!

* February 10 & 11 at 8:00pm
* February 12 at 2:00pm
* Location: Osterhout Concert Theater - Anderson Center

 (Buy Tickets)

* General Admission - $10    * Faculty/Staff/Senior - $8    * Students (with ID) - $6

coming to the show? Print the Parking Lot Map for campus!

--- PAST NEWS ITEMS ---

November 22, 2011

Binghamton University Studio Theatre Season Presents: True West by Sam Shepard, December 1^, 2^, 3 and 4 at 8pm

November 14, 2011

OPEN GENERAL AUDITIONS forSPRING 2012 MAINSTAGE SHOW:THE CRUCIBLE by Arthur Miller

Monday, November 21 7:00 - 10:30 pm - Watters Theater
Tuesday, November 22 7:00 - 10:30 pm - Watters Theater

Please prepare:
A ONE MINUTE MONOLOGUE - please time your monologue!

SIGN UP FOR A TIME SLOT ON THE BULLETIN BOARDOUTSIDE THE THEATRE DEPT. OFFICE, FA 127

CALLBACKS for THE CRUCIBLE will be Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, Dec. 4

Rehearsal for THE CRUCIBLE begins on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Performance dates are: March 9-10 and 16-18, 2012.

The Crucible will be directed by Anne Brady.

The Crucible DOES NOT CONFLICT with Alice in Wonderland. You can be in both!

Questions? Email Director Anne Brady at abrady@binghamton.edu

April 23, 2010

'All My Sons' on campus and in China!

The Binghamton University Theatre Department is pleased to close their 2009-2010 season with Arthur Miller's classic, All My Sons, which was most recently on Broadway starring Dianne Wiest, John Lithgow, and Katie Holmes. All My Sons, which was based on a true story and was Arthur Miller's first commercial success, tells the story of an American family caught up in the struggle between personal responsibility and duty to their country. Joe, spending his whole life in the pursuit of wealth for the sake of his family, represents the American Dream gone wrong. Along with a student-cast, Tom Kremer, Director and Professor of Acting at BU will be portraying the role of Joe Keller; his wife, fellow actor and BU Acting Instructor, Carol Hanscom will play Kate Keller.

After the spring semester, the cast and crew members will have the opportunity to restage the production for three performances at China's National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing. The Scenic Designer for the department, Karen Kozlowski also will be traveling with the cast, to oversee the rebuilding of the set in Beijing. This effort continues a collaborative exchange the department has with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts that started in 2004, with coursework, educational trips to China, and performances pieces, including the mainstage production of Romeo & Juliet at BU in 2008, with renowned Peking Opera Director, Chen Lincang.

December 8, 2009

Department secures rights to Arthur Miller's All My Sons

The Binghamton University Department of Theatre is pleased to announce that they have secured the rights to perform Arthur Miller's classic, All My Sons. This production will replace the last Main Stage show which was Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing!. The change in productions allows for more student roles and the opportunity for more students to go to Beijing, China where the production will have 3 performances at the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, after its 5-show run here on campus.

All My Sons, Miller's first commercial success, tells the story of an American family caught up in the moral struggle between personal responsibility and public duty, at a time when America's role in the world was rapidly changing. Most recently on Broadway last fall starring John Lithgow, Diane Wiest, and Katie Holmes, the department is excited to stage it in Binghamton this spring.

November 13, 2009

'October Light' shines again, 25 years later

The Binghamton University Department of Theatre stages October Light in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Anderson Center, based on one of novelist John Gardner's masterworks and adapted by John Bielenberg,Professor Emeritus.

From Bielenberg:

This revival will be directed by Tom Kremer, who directed the original production in 1984 and cast member/local actor, Bill Gorman, who last played the character of Sam Frost, will now be playing James Page. Tom Kremer would like to dedicate this production of October Light to the memory of Richard G. Smith, who created the role of James Page in the 1984 production.

October 5, 2009

Chinese Xiqu (Opera) Lecture by National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts Faculty

Wednesday, October 7, Anderson Center Chamber Hall 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Wei Li, Director of Stage Design Department will discuss the features of the Chinese Opera Stage; Wen Bao Qin (Instructor - Costume Design) will discuss features of Xiqu Costuming; Jing Zhang (Instructor - Stage Design) will discuss costume and stage design education; and Yan Xiao (Instructor - Make-Up) will discuss features of Chinese Opera make-up and make-up education.

September 2, 2009

TWO EXCITING WORKSHOPS COMING SOON!

Q&A SESSION WITH NEIL BERG Friday, September 11 at 4 PM Anderson Center Chamber Hall

PAUL TAYLOR MASTER DANCE WORKSHOP Friday, October 16 at 1 PM FA-104 (sign-up by 9/21 in FA-104; experienced dancers only, LIMIT 35)

OPEN GENERAL AUDITIONS FOR THE THREEPENNY OPERA!

Casting leads and possible ensemble members for SUMMER 2009 and FALL 2009 production of The Threepenny Opera, a collaboration between Binghamton University and Duoc Universidad Catolica in Santiago, Chile.

AUDITIONS: Saturday, April 25 12:00 - 3:00 PM Anderson Center Chamber Hall and Sunday, April 26 5:00 - 6:00 PM Anderson Center Concert Theater

PREPARE: ONE-MINUTE MONOLOGUE - please time your monologue! and also 32 BARS OF ANY SONG (bring sheet music if you have it)

SIGN UP FOR A TIME SLOT ON THE BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE THE THEATRE OFFICE (FA-127)

CALLBACKS: Sunday April 26 6:00 - 11:00 PM and Tuesday, April 28 6:30 - 11:00 in the AC Concert Theater

These auditions are to cast the lead roles and ensemble members who will travel to Chile, rehearse in Chile from July 20 - August 12, and perform in Chile for 8 performances: August 13 - August 23, 2009; actors will return to the US on August 24. These same actors will also rehearse and perform in BU's Fall 2009 production of The Threepenny Opera with rehearsals September 5 - October 8 and performances October 9, 10, 16, 17, and 18 (With Chilean leads and additional BU Ensemble members to be cast in September).

While in Chile, actors will also take classes at Duoc in movement and mask taught by Chilean faculty and will also be able to take advantage of all the arts culture while in Santiago, Chile.

All actors traveling to Chile must be prepared to pay for Travel, Room, Board, and Entrance Fees that should total approximately $3,000 for the 5 weeks of rehearsals and performances.

PLEASE NOTE: The rehearsal periods of the two BU Main stage Fall productions, The Threepenny Opera and October Light DO NOT OVERLAP. Students are able to perform in both shows.

If you have ANY questions, please contact Anne Brady by writing to abrady@binghamton.edu or calling 607.777.4780.

SCRIPTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE THEATRE OFFICE (FA-127) FOR PERUSAL.

THEATRE DEPARTMENT TO PRESENT FIRST ENGLISH READING OF BECKETT and GODOT BY CHILEAN PLAYWRIGHT JUAN RADRIGAN

(Binghamton, NY) - The BU Theatre Department, along with the Chilean Ministry for Arts & Culture and the Latin American & Caribbean Area Studies Department (LACAS) are pleased to present a reading of the play Beckett and Godot by one of Chile's most prestigious playwrights, Juan Radrigan. Beckett and Godot was staged in Chile one year ago and this is the first time it is going to be presented in English. Olga Martin, Professor of Romance Languages at Binghamton University has translated the play for this performance.

The reading will be directed by visiting artist, Rodrigo Nunez, of Duoc Universidad Catolica, who also co-directed the Chilean/American production of West Side Story at BU in 2007. Tom Kremer, Professor of Theatre at BU will perform the role of Samuel Beckett, while Chilean actor, Ramon Nunez will perform the role of Godot, a role he created in the original production in Chile. The reading will be held Tuesday, February 3 at 8:00 PM in the Gruber Theater (Studio B) of the Fine Arts Building.

Soledad Lagos, PhD., a Chilean dramaturgist, will also give a lecture about contemporary Chilean Theatre on Wednesday, February 4 at 7:00 PM, also the Gruber Theater.

Both the Lecture and the Reading of Beckett and Godot are free and open to the public.

AN OLYMPIC-SIZED COLLABORATION FOR BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY'S DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE

(Binghamton, NY) – The Olympics may be in Beijing, China this summer, but an extraordinary Chinese-American collaboration comes to the stage this spring at Binghamton University. A directing team from the internationally acclaimed National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (NACTA) in Beijing, China arrived to conduct auditions and six weeks of rehearsals – culminating with five performances of Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet in the tradition of Beijing opera. This production of Romeo & Juliet is a rare opportunity for the community to see student-actors in an Eastern-inspired theatre experience. The production will run April 25-May 4 in Watters Theater – Fine Arts Building (details below).

Who are the members of the Romeo & Juliet Directing Team?

The visiting Chinese Directing team are faculty members of the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts in Beijing, China. Chen Lincang, Director, is Co-chairman of the Arts Association in Gansu Province, Director of the Chinese Dramatist Confraternity, Co-chairman of the Literature and Arts Association in Jiangsu Province, Expert in Excellence of the Cultural Ministry, and Artist with both Virtue and Competency of the Chinese Cultural Association. As an actor, he won the Excellence Prize of the Cultural Ministry, the Wenhua Prize given by the Cultural Ministry, the Twelfth Chinese Theatre Meihua Prize, the Great Reward of Wenhua awarded by the Cultural Ministry, the Sixteenth Meihua Proze, the Golden Medal of the Second Peking Opera Festival, and the White Yulan Prize in Shanghai.

Chen Lincang
Mr. Chen's directing associate is Ms. Jiang Qian. She graduated from the Beijing Dance Academy. She won the Group Dance Excellence Award in the Eighth National Peaches and Plums Dance Competition, the Second Prize (professional) in the Tenth Beijing Dance Competition, the Second Performing Prize in the Beijing Arts Festival, the Award of Excellence in the Third Peking Opera Festival (for acting), and the Silver Prize in the Fourth Peking Opera Festival (directing).

Jiang Qian
Their interpreter is Ms. Su Feng. Sophie, as she is known, received her Master's Degree in American Culture Studies at Renmin University.

Gwendolyn Schwinke, MFA, Visiting Assistant Professor in the Theatre Dept. at Binghamton University is Assistant Director and Vocal Coach for Romeo & Juliet. Gwendolyn has been a Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner for 10 years, and is the first person in the U.S. to become both a Feldenkrais Teacher and a Designated Linklater Voice Teacher. She currently serves as Vice President of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America. Gwendolyn has taught Movement for Actors, Voice for Actors, and Acting for several drama schools including Shakespeare and Company, CAP-21 (Tisch School of the Arts, NYC), and The School for Film and Television (NYC). Her movement background includes studies in Tadashi Suzuki's work, Viewpoints, stage combat, Alexander Technique, Laban, Tai Chi, dance and taiko drumming.

A Little Background on the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts:

The National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts is the only college of Chinesexiqu, typically known as Beijing Opera. It developed from the former Chinese Xiqu School, founded in 1950. It is located in Beijing on a modern campus, completed in September, 2000.

The Performance Department has graduated over 450 superior xiqu actors. The main courses in this department include Piece Performing, Creating roles, Body and Gesture Training, Voice, and The History and Theory of Xiqu Performance. The faculty consists of 15 professors and associate professors, and more than 20 invited teachers.

The National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts is actively involved in international education. Since 1992, nearly 300 students from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, France, Russia, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan have been in residence.

A Short History of the BU-NACTA relationship:

Binghamton University has benefited from a strong relationship with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts over the past few years. This educational exchange began in the summer of 2004 when Binghamton University Theatre Department Professor Don Boros and Scenic Artist Qianghua Wang organized an international program to study "The Total Art of Chinese Theatre". The Program was so well received that it ran again the summer of 2006. In September 2005, a performance of The Fight in the Dark at Crossroads Inn and Xiang Yu the Conqueror Bids Farewell to His Concubine was staged on campus by four premier National Academy-trained actors, who also ran a Beijing Opera workshop for Theatre students. The partnership continued last summer, when Theatre Department Professor Fred Wiess and student assistant, Erin Stanley went to Beijing to teach Jazz Dance to NACTA students. Most recently last fall, three Faculty members from NACTA visited Binghamton University to run a 6-week intensive workshop "Techniques of Peking Opera".

A Partnership covered by International TV:

China Central Television (CCTV) is one of 4 TV channels in China. It is able to be received around the world, its programming seen by billions of people daily. A two-person team was here March 3 – March 17, and will return in the final week of rehearsal and performances to record aspects of the process of developing this joint production of Romeo & Juliet. The final result will be a documentary focusing on the relationship between the NACTA and BU. It is a very positive and exciting addition to this collaboration, and makes broader the knowledge that Binghamton University is committed to International Innovative education and programming.

Romeo & Juliet Production Staff & Cast:

The design team includes John Bielenberg (Set design), Benjamin Ehrenreich (Lighting design), Barbara Wolfe (Costume design), Craig Saeger (Sound design), Donald W. Guido (Technical Director), and Qianghua Wang (Scenic Art). Assisting in production is: John Feustel (Master Carpenter), Jeremy Levitt (Master Electrician), Rebecca Kimmelstiel (Costumes), Sarah Pauker (Hair and Mask design), Ava Rosenblatt (Make-up), Ronald Yoo (Sound),

The cast includes: Rebekah Baker (Lady Montague), John Charitable (Balthasar), Jason Chaskin (Paris), Timothy Dowd (Capulet), Ian Franks (Friar Laurence), Lee Garrett (Romeo), Michael J. Gilbert (Prince Escalus), Kerrin Hawkins (Lady Capulet), Jason Kapowitz (Gregory), Ah Hil Kim (Tybalt), Matthew Koenig (Mercutio), Mary McCarthy (Apothecary), David Melissaratos (Benvolio), Leanne Mercadante (Juliet), Milton Santiago (Sampson), Mallory Schlossberg (Nurse, to Juliet), Richard Solomon (Montague); Ensemble: Dallas DeFee, Carolyn De Melo, Ariana Fekett, Genevieve Henel, Kate Lenhardt, Kourtney Smith, Erin Stanley, and Maggie Venti. Brian Goldblatt is Production Stage Manager, with Hillary Lederman, Rachel Schwalbe, and Jessica Zenou as Assistant Stage Managers.

BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY THEATRE DEPARTMENT STAGES NEW ADAPTATION OF
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT CLASSIC, "LITTLE WOMEN"

Some of the Little Women Cast
(Binghamton, NY) – Binghamton University's Department of Theatre opens their spring 2008 Main Stage season with Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, adapted for the stage by Emma Reeves. Under the guidance of their beloved mother, the four young sisters – Meg, the eldest; Jo, the high-spirited tomboy; Amy, the beauty; and gentle Beth – grow up in genteel poverty against the backdrop of the American Civil War. In this wonderfully dramatized adaptation of the classic novel, even as desperation, illness, and sibling rivalry cast their shadows, each girl strives to find her true self. Beloved by generations, this classic tale's message of family loyalty and traditional values has special importance for audiences of all generations.

Director Anne Brady was intrigued with this adaptation the moment she read it, "I was drawn to the liveliness of this adaptation; it moves very quickly, and is full of life – I believe it really captures the independent and creative spirit of the March family."

Anne Brady will direct this production sponsored by the Binghamton University Department of Theatre. The design team includes John Bielenberg (Set design), John E. Vestal (Lighting design), Barbara Wolfe (Costume design), and Craig Saeger (Sound design). The cast includes: Emma Lunderman (Jo), Leanne Mercadante (Meg), Wendy Ables (Beth), Allie Henkel (Amy), Lindsay Karchawer (Sallie), Rebekah Baker (Belle), Matthew Koenig (Laurie), Matthew Van Vorst (Brooke), Elizabeth DuBon (Aunt March), Emily Esposito (Marmee), Mary McCarthy (Aunt Carol), Chelsea Pace (Hortense), Richie Solomon (Fred), Milton Santiago (Ned), Michael Gilbert (Prof. Bhaer), and Eliot Greene (Mr. March). Kathryn Tabone is Assistant Director, Wesley Sanders is the Production Stage Manager, with Kelsey Caitlin, Kimberly Campbell and Leigh Collins as Assistant Stage Managers; Choreography by Chelsea Pace.

Tickets are $14 for General Admission, $12 for Faculty/Staff/Seniors, $8 for Students, and can be purchased by calling 777-ARTS (2787) or by visiting anderson.binghamton.edu.

Little Women will be in Watters Theater – Fine Arts Building on March 7-8, 14-15 at 8:00 P.M. and March 9 & 16 at 2:00 P.M.

CHINESE CULTURAL THEATRE EXCHANGE CONTINUES AT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY
September 11, 2007

(Binghamton, NY) – The Binghamton University Theatre Department is pleased to continue its "academic exchange" relationship with the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts (NACTA) in Beijing, China. This summer, one of BU's faculty members, Fred Weiss, and a student assistant, Erin Stanley, went to teach Jazz to the Opera and Dance students at the NACTA.

On September 17th, two master-instructors from the NACTA, Liu Mianzong and Zhang Yanhong, and an interpreter, Ma Xuan, will arrive to teach Techniques of Peking Opera to Binghamton University students. The course is an intensive workshop-style introduction to Peking Opera, emphasizing the fundamentals of acting. Students will learn specialized movement techniques, stylized combat, and unique voice production for each of the four basic character types through hands-on exercises. Fred Weiss discusses the importance of the international student/faculty exchange program:

I believe it is incumbent on us as a University to promote a dialogue that transcends national borders and aims to achieve what politicians cannot – a conversation between people of good will...This particular program is the start of a new conversation and while on one level it may seem to be a small conversation about theater, dance and art; it is the stuff of friendship which will make each person who has been a participant less likely to think of the other as an adversary and more likely to think of them as a colleague; that can only serve us all in this shrinking world.

A student demonstration of the Techniques of Peking Opera course will be held on Thursday, October 11 at 4:30 P.M. in the Chamber Hall, Anderson Center; all are welcome to attend (see details below).A season of international exchange continues in Spring 2008, when Guest Director Chen Lincang, from the National Academy of Chinese Theatre Arts, comes to Binghamton University to stage Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet using the same Beijing Opera techniques being taught to the students at the University this fall.

July 6, 2007*

The theatre site has been completed and is ready for the fall 2007 semester! Please let us know what you think by leaving a message. We appreciate any feedback, and hope you have a chance to check out upcoming events for the summer and fall.

Star Honors John Bielenberg

October 16, 2006

A brief overview of the Dr. John Bielenberg Star Dedication on Saturday, October 14th. Up until a few days prior to the event Dr. "B" (as the students have always called him), knew nothing of the event or the star itself. In his usual humble way, he accepted the star but dedicated it to all those who have kept the Cider Mill Playhouse a vital community asset these 30 years. He thanked the Cider Mill Playhouse Board of Directors as well as the individual contributors.

• The article from Inside BU

  Dr. B's vision, humility, and talent has made a huge impact on many and transformed theatre in the Greater Binghamton community. It's wonderful to have a star baring his name and dedicated to all those at the Cider Mill Playhouse

• September 6, 2006

• Lovette George, Broadway Actress and SUNY Binghamton Graduate died today at the age of 44. Playbill Announcement