Brandeis University News

Purchase College, SUNY will hold its 47th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 12:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, NY.  Degrees will be conferred upon more than 1,000 graduating scholars representing dozens of majors and several countries.

Educator, artist, and arts advocate Scott Edmiston will join Boston Conservatory at Berklee as dean of the Theater Division starting August 1.

The Walter W. Naumburg Foundation presents Cellist LEV SIVKOV, winner of the 2015 Naumburg cello competition, on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at 7:30pm in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall.  Sivkov, a native of Russia currently lives in Switzerland where he is principal cellist of the Zurich Opera Orchestra. Sivkov will be joined by fellow Russian, pianist/composer Nikita Mndoyants, who in 2016 was named winner of the Cleveland International Piano Competition.  A program highlight includes the world premiere of a Naumburg commission, Alter Ego, by the award-winning composer

YALE SCHOOL OF DRAMA (James Bundy, Dean; Victoria Nolan, Deputy Dean) has announced the inaugural Yale Design Showcase, May 13-15 at 149 York Street, New Haven, Connecticut: an opportunity for theater professionals to visit the campus and meet the 2019 Class of scenic, costume, lighting, sound, and projection designers, and to see their work up close.

The Nora Theatre Company is proud to present Photograph 51 from March 14 to April 15, 2019 and is directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. The press performance is Monday, March 18 at 7:30PM. Photograph 51 is a Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production and is part of The Brit d'Arbeloff Women in Science Production Series

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC) has added three performances to its highly anticipated upcoming production of Birdy, adapted by Naomi Wallace from the novel by William Wharton, and directed by Steven Maler. The production now runs February 27 through March 17 at the Carling-Sorenson Theater at Babson College in Wellesley.

Freed-slave and famed Boston poet, Phillis Wheatley was one of the best-known poets in pre-19th century America. Phillis Wheatley's life and friendship with Obour Tanner comes alive on stage in Jacqui Parker's (Director of 2018's The Agitators at GSC) new play, Wrestling with Freedom. Educated and enslaved in the household of prominent Boston commercialist John Wheatley, paraded in front of the still-young American political leadership and the English empire's aristocracy, Phillis Wheatley was the abolitionists' illustrative testimony that freed slaves were both artistic and intellectual. She was a household name across the world after publishing her poetry in both England and the United States - her achievements a catalyst for the fledgling antislavery movement. 

New York Stage and Film announced today that, following a nationwide search, Christopher Burney will become its next Artistic Director. Additionally, New York Stage and Film's longtime Associate Artistic Director, Liz Carlson, has been promoted to the newly created position of Artistic Producer.

Producer Ken Davenport (Once on This Island, Spring Awakening) has obtained the Broadway stage rights to the life story of the great American singer, songwriter, actor and activist, Harry Belafonte.

Rainy Day Productions will present industry readings of the new play Chasing the River by Jean Dobie Giebel. Directed by Illana Stein, the six-member cast will feature Tony Carlin, Aaron Costa Ganis, Annie Golden, Deborah Rayne, Chet Siegel, and Wendy Rich Stetson. The readings will be held on Monday, January 28 at 3:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m., and Tuesday, January 29 at 4:00 p.m. For more information, please email victoria@PSTheatricals.com.

The Burry Fredrik Foundation has announced Stephanie Osin Cohen as the recipient of the 2019 Burry Fredrik Design Fellowship and its $25,000 award.

The Old Globe has announced The Old Globe Classical Directing Fellowship, led by the Globe's Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, a leading Shakespearean scholar, author, and director. Four directing fellows-Daniel Jaquez, Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, Sam White, and LA Williams-will participate in the pilot session of this new initiative. They will be in residence from Tuesday, January 22 through Friday, January 26, 2019.

The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University announced today the appointment of Ruth Estevez as Senior Curator-at-Large. With extensive experience as a curator of contemporary art and performance, Estevez will organize exhibitions and programming, expand interdisciplinary research and scholarship, and advise the museum on key acquisitions. As Senior Curator-at-Large she will share expertise with Brandeis faculty, staff, and students.

Yale Repertory Theatre will present the world premiere of Good Faith: Four Chats about Race and the New Haven Fire Department by Karen Hartman, directed by Kenny Leon, February 1-23, 2019 at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street). Opening Night is Thursday, February 7.

Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and Founding Artistic Director Steven Maler announced the cast of the second production of its 2018-19 Season: Birdy, adapted by Naomi Wallace from the novel by William Wharton, and directed by Steven Maler. The production runs February 27 through March 10 at the Carling-Sorenson Theater at Babson College in Wellesley.

The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University presents the first major retrospective of eminent American artist, curator, and teacher Howardena Pindell, who for nearly five decades has explored the intersection of art and activism. 

Experience 'A Christmas Carol'as you never have before. Peter Battis becomes Charles Dickens as Dickens tells his classic tale of redemption. Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was already a famous and beloved author when he stepped onto a London stage in 1858 to read excerpts from his own works. He quickly proved himself to be a skilled performer who could move an audience to tears or laughter, and his presentations were the hottest ticket of their day. Billed as 'Public Readings', they were actually memorized one-man shows in which the author played all the parts.

Experience 'A Christmas Carol'as you never have before. Peter Battis becomes Charles Dickens as Dickens tells his classic tale of redemption. Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was already a famous and beloved author when he stepped onto a London stage in 1858 to read excerpts from his own works. He quickly proved himself to be a skilled performer who could move an audience to tears or laughter, and his presentations were the hottest ticket of their day. Billed as 'Public Readings', they were actually memorized one-man shows in which the author played all the parts.

Greater Boston Stage Company proudly announces Tiny Tim's Christmas Carol, a joyful, family-friendly spin on a holiday classic. Tiny Tim is determined to have his father home for Christmas day even if it means teaching Ebenezer Scrooge a lesson in Christmas cheer. Adapted from the classic Charles Dickens' novel by Tony Award winner Ken Ludwig ('Twas the Night Before Christmas) and his son Jack, this heartwarming hour-long Christmas tale is full of family fun for all ages. Directed by Sarah Elizabeth Bedard, performances run December 8 - 23, 2018.