Tony Winner John Doyle Named Pace Performing Arts' Musical Theater Artist-in-Residence

Scottish director John Doyle is Pace Performing Arts Musical Theater Program's second artist-in-residence. The unique Artist in Residence program within the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences is made possible through an anonymous endowed gift.

Doyle, whose inventive re-staging of Sweeney Todd earned him a Tony Award, will work with faculty members at Pace Performing Arts Musical Theater program throughout this academic year to teach a variety of master classes and critique student projects, including vocal performance, song interpretation, the process of composition and the creative process. Doyle will give a public lecture in spring 2014, in which he will explore the creative process of directing musical theater.

Amy Rogers, the director of the Musical Theater program at Pace Performing Arts, said, "John is one of the most inventive directors working in theater today. He represents the crossroads of classic tradition and cutting-edge revision - serendipitous because that is where Pace Performing Arts' Musical Theater program also lives."

"Through the generosity of our donors we are able to take full advantage of the richness of our New York City location and bring world-renowned talent to our campus several times over the course of the academic year, giving our students extraordinary opportunities to interact with leading professionals," said Dyson College dean Nira Herrmann.

Doyle was artistic director of four regional theatres in the UK where he directed over 200 professional productions of plays and musicals. He now works as a freelance director and has recently directed the feature film Main Street, starring Ellen Burstyn, Colin Firth, and Orlando Bloom.

Doyle made his Broadway debut with Sweeney Todd, winning the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Director of a Musical. His Broadway production of Company won the Tony Award for Best Musical Revival and his other New York credits are A Catered Affair on Broadway, Road Show at The Public Theatre, Wings at Second Stage Theater, Where's Charley (City Center's Encores! Season), and most recentlyPassion at Classic Stage Company.

Pace Performing Arts offers Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Acting; Acting for Film, Television, Voice-Overs and Commercials; Commercial Dance; Production and Design; and Musical Theater. It also offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Acting and Directing under the International Performance Program. For more information contact Wayne Petro at wpetro@pace.edu.

The Bachelor of Arts (BFA) in Musical Theater at Pace Performing Arts offers elite training in acting, music, and dance by well-connected professionals working in the industry. Designed to train the unique performer, the program offers the opportunity to develop a repertoire that showcases students' abilities and talents while preserving and refining their individuality. Located in lower Manhattan, the Pace Performing Arts MT Program fosters the creation of new musical theater and the collaboration of our students with new emerging artists.

Photo by: Catherine Ashmore