The company Koret has made a three-year commitment to support A.C.T.'s audience programs, which will include four artist panel discussions. The Koret Visiting Artist Series will "feature exciting talks with acclaimed artists from the American theatrical community, moderated by A.C.T. artistic staff," according to an announcement. "The discussions are designed to illuminate the ways in which a theatre affects and strengthens a community, the responsibilities of the artist in modern society, and the challenges of the creative process."
Among the stars and artists already lined up include:
Founding A.C.T. company member Rene Auberjonois, Joy Carlin, Ken Ruta, former A.C.T. core acting company member Marco Barricelli, and A.C.T. core acting company member Allison Jean White at the "In Good Company" talk moderated by A.C.T. artistic director Carey Perloff (Jan. 28 at 5 PM). Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls"); former "Law and Order" star Benjamin Bratt, New Orleans' Southern Rep artistic director Ryan Rillette and Steven W. Bailey ("Grey's Anatomy") talk on "What I Learned in Acting School" as moderated by A.C.T. conservatory director Melissa Smith (March 3 at 11 AM).
Guests to be announced for a "Hometowns/Theater Towns" talk moderated by Perloff (April 15 at 5 PM). Playwright Philip Kan Gotanda and more guests TBA at "New Voices, New Works" moderated by A.C.T. associate artistic director Johanna Pfaelzer (May 5 at 11 AM). A.C.T. celebrates its 40th anniversary season as it currently presents W. Somerset Maugham's The Circle (through Feb. 4). The season continues with Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler (Feb. 9- March 11), Philip Kan Gotanda's After the War (March 22-April 22), David Harrower's Blackbird (April 27-May 27) and Molière's The Imaginary Invalid (June 7–July 8).
For more information visit www.act-sf.org.
