For 25 years, the American Theatre Wing has been presenting "Working In The Theatre" seminars, presenting highly regarded, professional theatre artists and craftsmen discussing what they do and how they do it. This behind-the-scenes look at theatre is open to theatre students, members of theatrical unions and guilds, and casts of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows.
Here's the line-up:
Apr. 28, 11 AM: "The Performance Seminar" with Brian Stokes Mitchell (Ragtime), Alfred Molina (Art, Molly Sweeney), Natasha Richardson (Cabaret, Anna Christie), John Vickery (A Lion King) and Blythe Danner (Deep Blue Sea. James Naughton (Chicago) and producer Dasha Epstein will host.
Apr. 28, 2 PM: "The Production Seminar -- The Lion King" with director Julie Taymor, producers Peter Schneider and Tom Schumacher and advertising rep Eric Elice. Theodore Chapin, of the Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, moderates.
Apr. 29, 11 AM: "The Playwright / Director / Choreographer Seminar" with Jeff Baron (author of Visiting Mr. Green); Moises Kaufman (author and director of Gross Indecency); Warren Leight (author of Side Man); Michael Mayer (who directs A View From The Bridge), Lonny Price (who directs Visiting Mr. Green) and Matthew Warchus (director of Art). Thomas Cott and playwright Wendy Wasserstein moderate.
Apr. 30, 1 PM: "The Production Seminar -- Ragtime" with Lynn Ahrens (lyricist), Stephen Flaherty (composer), Terrence McNally (librettist), Frank Galati (director), Garth Drabinsky (producer) and Jon Wilner (advertising rep). Theodore Chapin moderates. The seminars are free but have limited seating; reservations must be made in advance in writing via fax -- (212) 307-1910 -- or snail-mail: American Theatre Wing, 250 West 57th St., New York, NY 10107.
Seminars are videotaped and broadcast five-times-a-week on CUNY-TV in Manhattan, cable channel 75.
The American Theatre Wing (ATW) is best known for co-presenting the Tony Awards (with the League of American Theatres & Producers) but also has many educational programs, including "Theatre For Children" (bringing professional theatre to elementary schools) and the "Grants & Scholarship Program." The Wing also hosts "Introduction To Broadway," wherein junior and senior high school students can attend Broadway shows.
Please note that the "Working In The Theatre" seminars take place at the Graduate Center of the City University of NY, 3rd Floor, 33 West 42nd St. For more information on these and other ATW panels, call (212) 765-0606.
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In other ATW news, the Wing will honor women playwrights Beth Henley, Tina Howe, Wendy Wasserstein and Jean Kerr with a noon luncheon April 20 at New York's Plaza Hotel. Playwright/actor Christopher Durang will emcee the event.
Henley (Crimes of the Heart) and Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles) are Pulizter Prize winners. Howe's plays include Painting Churches and the recent Pride's Crossing. Kerr's plays include Mary, Mary.
Tickets are $150 with special "Broadway Angels," "Star" and "Patron Tables" tickets available. They can be ordered by calling (212) 765-0606.
Proceeds go to benefit the Wing's education programs, including the "Theatre In-School" program which brings theatre professionals into New York City high schools and the "Introduction to Broadway" program.
-- By Christine Ehren and David Lefkowitz
