Angela Brazil Named Director of Brown of Trinity Rep MFA Programs

Brown University and Trinity Rep announce a change of leadership of their Masters of Fine Arts Programs in Acting and Directing. Earlier this month, Trinity Rep acting company member and Brown/Trinity Rep faculty member Angela Brazil assumed the role of Director oF Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs in Acting and Directing. Trinity Rep associate director and former Brown/Trinity Rep Head of Directing Brian Mertes assumed the role of Director of Graduate Studies for the MFA Programs in Acting and Directing. Trinity Rep acting company member and former Director oF Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs Stephen Berenson will continue to serve the school as the Founding Director of the programs.

The master's degree in acting was recently ranked as the sixth best program in the world by The Hollywood Reporter and in the top twenty-five best programs across the U.S. and U.K. in Backstage. Lauded for its holistic approach to theater-both directing and acting students are required to study playwriting and dramaturgy, directing students must study acting and acting students must study directing-many of the alumni of the programs have successfully created acclaimed theater companies.

In Angela Brazil's new role, she oversees all operations of the program, coordinating, developing, and continuing to support the activities that make Brown/Trinity Rep the vibrant, successful artistic community that it is. Brazil will also continue to teach Voice and Speech and mentor students' projects in rehearsal.

"I'm thrilled to be at the helm of this rigorous, technically demanding training program that encourages its students to develop a dynamic sense of exploration, collaboration, and openness," said Angela Brazil. "Our graduates work, and work with joy. Looking forward, I'm excited to continue to find ways to inspire and empower our artists to meaningfully impact the future of our field and the communities in which they live and work."

Stephen Berenson added, "Angela Brazil is highly intelligent, extremely empathetic, remarkably well-organized, and a brilliant artist and teacher. She has a powerful understanding of the advantages offered to our students by both the university and the theatre. There is no doubt in my mind that she is the best possible choice to lead Brown/Trinity." Remarking on the growth of the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA programs from its beginning, Berenson said "When I began my leadership in Providence in 1990, Trinity Rep Conservatory offered a two-year curriculum with a Trinity Rep certificate, administrated by myself and my Co-Director, Brian McEleney, sending out a small black-and-white catalog to every prospective applicant. Twenty seven years later, Brown/Trinity Rep has its own teaching and administrative spaces, a theatre space fully dedicated to student productions, a superb staff, full and part-time faculty professionals, a diverse and inclusive student body, an Ivy League degree, and a place in the top tier of MFA training programs."

As Director of Graduate Studies for the MFA Programs in Acting and Directing, Brian Mertes serves as the primary liaison between Brown/Trinity Rep and the Chair and Faculty of Theatre and Performance Studies, Playwriting, and the Graduate School at Brown University.

"I have been working on this transition with Brown's Provost Richard Locke and Theatre and Performance Studies Chair Patricia Ybarra and am confident this change positions the program well for continued excellence," said Trinity Rep and Brown/Trinity Rep Artistic Director Curt Columbus. "Angela Brazil is a brilliant actor, a great teacher, and someone who always makes time for the specific needs of each student. Brian Mertes is a person of unfettered intelligence who works tirelessly for our students. They make an incredible team."

The Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Programs provide a three-year professional training program for eighteen students under the auspices of an Ivy League university and Rhode Island's Tony Award-winning theater company. Brown University's Department of Theatre, Speech and Dance is internationally recognized for the quality of its faculty and instruction. Trinity Rep, with its deep tradition of resident artists, provides powerful artistic assets and creates a firm foundation for a new generation of theater artists. The Brown/Trinity Rep Class of 2019 opens their performances of their fall Shakespeare productions, Twelfth Night directed by Addie Gorlin runs October 12 - 15, 2017 and Love's Labour's Lost directed by Ken-Matt Martin runs October 26 - 29, 2017.

Trinity Repertory Company

Rhode Island's Tony Award-winning theater, Trinity Rep has created unparalleled professional theater for and with its community since its founding in 1963. Trinity Rep strives to facilitate human connection and has been a driving force behind the creativity that fuels and defines the region for more than 50 years.

Trinity Rep is committed to reinventing the public square and inspiring dialogue by creating emotionally-stimulating live productions that range from classical to contemporary and innovative education programs for all ages and abilities. Its annual production of A Christmas Carol has brought families together for 40 years and made memories for over a million audience members.

Subscriptions for the 2017-18 season are now on sale. The season includes Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Skeleton Crew by Dominique Morisseau, Into the Breeches! by George Brant, Othello by William Shakespeare, Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías, and Ragtime by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, based on the novel by E.L. Doctorow. For more information and to purchase tickets, call the box office at (401) 351-4242 or visit Trinity Rep's website at www.TrinityRep.com.

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