INTERSECTION:

Ensembles + Universities NET Staff Mark Valdez // Executive Director Alisha Tonsic // Managing Director Sherrine Azab // Communications & Administrative Associate Park Cofield // Program Associate Planning Committee Victoria Abrash, Bruce Allardice, Brad Krumholz, Cynthia Ling Lee, Michael Rohd, Cecilia Rubino, August Schulenburg, Mia Yoo Curating Committee Victoria Abrash, Matthew Glassman, Brad Krumholz, Carrie Neal, Mark Valdez Graphic Design Phil Cramer Special Thanks Victoria Abrash, Bruce Allardice, Jan Cohen-Cruz, Doug Howe, Brad Krumholz, Beverly Petty, Jennifer Riegle, Mia Yoo, HowlRound, La MaMa, NET Board of Trustees, and our generous team of event volunteers Event Partners & Funders

Dear Colleagues: Welcome to the inaugural Intersection: Ensembles + Universities! Like all of NET’s programs, the Intersection symposium grew out of field and organization practice. Collaborations with academic institutions have been central to NET’s work throughout our history, from our inception at a 1996 meeting at Towson University in Baltimore, to our most recent MicroFest at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Indeed, across the country, NET is seeing an increase in ensemble artists working within academia, with a concomitant increase in the inclusion of ensemble practices within curricula. In addition, universities and colleges produce many of the next generation’s ensemble artists. Recognizing these already significant interrelationships, NET hopes to identify ways to serve more intentionally as a resource and connector within and between these sectors. In this effort, our primary partners include: Eugene Lang College The New School for Liberal Arts, a longtime leader in ensemble pedagogy and practice with a strong tradition of ensemble theater education; The New School for Drama, a generative center of practice and production for an ensemble of forward-thinking emerging professionals; and La MaMa, a landmark institution for artists and audiences alike, presenting cross-disciplinary work in theatre, dance, performance art, and music that defies form and transcends boundaries of language, race, and culture. Among the issues we’re exploring are ensemble pedagogy and training; the practices of ensemble creation within the university structure and time frame; and how NET might serve as a pre-professional bridge to build connections between graduates and ensembles, and to strengthen and track post-graduate career progress for ensemble theater-makers. Clearly these topics can’t be explored fully over a single weekend, so NET is making the commitment to continue this series over the next several years. I hope you will join us over the course of this journey. Thanks to the many organizations and individuals who have helped make this event possible, and thank you for being here. Sincerely,

Mark Valdez Executive Director

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 10:00am-12:00pm PRE-CONFERENCE TRAININGS/WORKSHOPS (pick one)

The Audience Completes Our Ensemble: A Primer on Audience Integration and Connectivity Location: University Center U620 Presenters: Wyckham Avery and Rachel Grossman (both of dog & pony dc) This workshop is comprised predominantly of hands-on devising sprints, that serve as a primer on Audience Integration and Connectivity theory and techniques. Members of dog & pony dc will share flexible tools for engagement strategies that resonate strongly with each artist’s work, and systems to measure success, via performance and/or social impact.

Training the Individual within the Ensemble Location: University Center U601 Presenters: Niamh Dowling and Gabriel Gawin (both of Rose Bruford College of Theatre & Performance) A practical workshop and discussion on the nature of training of the individual within context of the ensemble. The presenters’ work has grown out of many years of collaboration with Polish Ensemble Company, Teatr Piesn Kozła. The session will explore the way in which an ensemble training teaches students how to search and research in practice.

Lessons from Pina: A Workshop on Pina Bausch’s Developmental Process Location: University Center U100 Presenter: Royd Climenhaga (The New School) This workshop explores practical exercises derived from Bausch’s groundbreaking developmental process and refined through years of experimentation in the classroom and rehearsal hall. Come prepared to move and participate. 12:00-1:00pm

Break

1:00-4:00pm

OPENING PLENARY

La MaMa: A Nexus for Ensembles and Universities Location: La MaMa, Ellen Stewart Theatre Welcome • Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) • 40 Years of Ensembles at La MaMa • Four Generations of Ensembles • La MaMa and Universities 4:15-5:30pm

TOURS (optional)

Location: Depart from La MaMa La MaMa Archives/Culture Hub (offered twice, departing at 4:15 and at 5:00): The La MaMa Archive contains all forms of historical documents, including photographs, posters, production files, costumes, props, and recordings. For a brief look at the extraordinary history of Ellen Stewart, the evolution of La MaMa, and the history of the Off Off Broadway movement, join Director of the Archive, Ozzie Rodriguez. Fourth Arts Block (departs at 4:15): Fourth Arts Block (FABnyc) is rooted in the Lower East Side’s long history of hosting community and cultural spaces that served marginalized immigrants, artists, and activists. In the 1960s and 70s, East 4th Street coalesced as a center for experimental theater and film. Four decades later, the block’s cultural groups founded FABnyc to preserve and develop these historic arts spaces. Tour East 4th Street theaters with FABnyc Executive Director Tamara Greenfield, and learn how FABnyc weaves the arts with community partners to strengthen a distinctive Lower East Side cultural and community identity. 4:15-6:00pm

OPENING RECEPTION

Location: Phebe’s Tavern & Grill Join us for drinks and appetizers at this neighborhood gathering spot. Cash bar. 5:30pm

EVENING ACTIVITIES (optional)

Dine Arounds: Space is limited; advance sign up required. Please sign up at the registration table by 4:00pm. Late Night: NYC’s 41st Annual Village Halloween Parade The parade runs from 7:00-11:00pm; the route travels up 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street. Please see http://www.halloween-nyc.com for more information.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 10:00-10:45am KEYNOTE

Making Rules and Breaking Rules—Liz Lerman Location: University Center U100 A choreographic consideration of creating structures for collaborative-making, and the nature of leadership within those structures. 10:45-11:00am Break 11:00-12:30pm SESSIONS (pick one)

Developing an Ensemble Program Location: University Center U201 Facilitator: Cynthia Ling Lee (University of North Carolina, Greensboro) Presenters: Rich Brown (Western Washington University), Lisa Channer (University of Minnesota, Twin Cities), CarlosAlexis Cruz (University of North Carolina, Charlotte), Naoko Maeshiba (Towson University), James Vesce (University of North Carolina, Charlotte) A roundtable conversation that explores the successes and challenges of establishing programs and curricula based on ensemble practice. Includes a discussion of the shifting landscape of theater education, and a look at how these programs were created, the obstacles that were overcome, and the impact they are having. Additional sessions on following page.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (continued)

11:00am-12:30pm SESSIONS (continued—pick one)

Ensembles + Universities + Community Location: University Center U202 Facilitator: Jan Cohen-Cruz (Public: A Journal of Imagining America) Presenters: Jonathan McCrory (National Black Theatre), Nick Slie (Nunez Community College/Mondo Bizarro), Cristal Chanelle Truscott (Prairie View A&M University/ Progress Theatre) Ensembles often involve specific places, cultural touchstones, and people in addition to theater makers seminal to a company’s mission. This can be challenging when trying to distill ensemble theater training or study in the classroom. This session is about going outside the classroom to engage with ensembles in situ, and returning to the classroom to reflect and build on experiential learning.

Pedagogy + Process: Using the Form to Teach the Form Location: University Center U601 Presenters: Rachel Dickstein (Purchase College, SUNY/Ripe Time), Rebecca Lingafelter (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble “PETE”) A lecture-demo and discussion that explores the creation of ensemble productions within university settings. In each case, professional ensembles (Portland Experimental Theatre Ensemble and Ripe Time) were invited to work with students to both create new work and interpret existing work. The session includes performance excerpts, and will look at strategies for collaborative theater-making, creating physicalized/dance language, and learning outcomes for students and ensembles.

All Theater is Physical Theater Location: University Center U100 Facilitator: Cecilia Rubino (The New School) Presenters: Leonard Cruz (St. Mary’s College of Maryland), Meghan Frank (Dell’Arte International), Elisabeth Hostetter (Rowan University), Lane Savadove (Rowan University), Melanie Stewart (Rowan University) Combining hands-on activity with critical discourse, this session includes an examination of the work of Hong Kong’s Tang Shu-wing, a conversation on ways to bridge academic study with professional practice in movement-driven theater training, and physical exploration of “Spoken Word, Dance, and Music.”

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (continued)

12:30-2:00pm

Break

2:00-3:10pm

PLENARY

Theater Grottesco Performance Location: University Center U100 Presented by Theater Grottesco, CONSIDER THIS is a 60-minute romp, masquerading as a lecture-demonstration, through the pre-history of American theater—from Greek tragedy to commedia dell’arte, clown, buffoon, masks, and more. 3:10-3:30pm

Break

3:30-5:00pm

SESSIONS (pick one)

Evolving Partnerships Between Ensembles + Academia Location: University Center U202 Facilitator: Brad Krumholz (City University of New York/North American Cultural Laboratory) Presenters: Matt Foss (University of Idaho), James P. Jordan (Touchstone Theatre), Christopher Shorr (Moravian College), Caitlin Sullivan (Williams College Summer Theatre Lab/Satori Group), Marcella Trowbridge (ARTFARM), Greta Wilson (Williams College Summer Theatre Lab/Satori Group) This round-table discussion on the challenges, contradictions, and next steps for evolving partnerships between ensembles and academia will explore the ethics and obstacles of training, the creation of a collaborative classroom, and the mutual benefits of ensemble/university relationships.

University + Artistic Practice Location: University Center U620 Facilitator: Aaron Landsman (Arizona State University Gammage/Princeton University) Presenters: Eric Kupers (California State University, East Bay/Dandelion Dancetheater), Coya Paz (DePaul University/Free Street Theater), Davis Robinson (Bowdoin College/ Beau Jest Moving Theatre), James Slowiak (University of Akron/New World Performance Laboratory) A panel where agenda is defined on the spot by both attendees and presenters, this session examines ways we can radically integrate our teaching and art-making practices. How can the work we do outside the academy move our schools forward? Why are some universities so deeply supportive of new practices in the field and in pedagogy, while some need to be dragged forward, kicking and screaming? How can our interactions within the structures of higher education make all of our work more timely and relevant?

Ensemble + University Creation Location: University Center U601 Facilitator: Chad Lindsey (Hook & Eye Theater) Presenters: Rachel Bowditch (Arizona State University), Lisa Fay (Lisa Fay and Jeff Glassman Duo), Leah Page (University of North Dakota), Anika Solveig (University of California, Irvine/Counter-Balance), Mei Ann Teo (Mei Ann Teo & Co.) This “TED Talk”–style session looks at multiple ensembles and projects created within, or connected to, colleges and universities. Quick presentations will turn to conversation with the artists about their projects to draw greater insights and understanding about this growing movement. Additional sessions on following page

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1 (continued)

3:30-5:00pm

SESSIONS (continued—pick one)

Training Designers for Ensemble Collaborations Location: University Center U100 Facilitator: Sabrina Hamilton (Ko Festival of Performance/Ko Theater Works) Presenters: Leon Ingulsrud (SITI Company), Robert H. Leonard (Virginia Tech), Darron L. West (SITI Company) A roundtable conversation that features a mix of designers, ensemble members, and educators collectively exploring the needs and ways of preparing designers to work in ensemble settings.

Erwin Piscator’s Dramatic Workshop: the University Ensemble that Transformed American Theater Location: University Center U201 Presenters: Victoria Abrash (The New School), Judith Malina (The Living Theatre), Inessa Medzhibovskaya (The New School) Throughout the 1940s, the groundbreaking director Erwin Piscator ran the Dramatic Workshop at The New School, based in the core idea that the best way for students to learn theater was to participate in all aspects of an active producing ensemble. This session will explore the methods and legacy of the Dramatic Workshop as a lesson from the past, and a model for the future, of effective university/ensemble pedagogy. 5:00-5:15pm

Break

5:15-6:00pm

PLENARY

Cross-Generational Influences—Rosemary Quinn, Cristal Chanelle Truscott, Tiana K. Johnson, and Rebekah Stevens Location: University Center U100 Three generations of ensemble theater makers, educators, and students share performances and discuss legacy, training, and inter-generational collaboration. 6:30pm

EVENING ACTIVITY (optional)

Dine Arounds: Space is limited; advance sign up required. Please sign up at the registration table by 5:00pm.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2 10:30-11:15am PLENARY

100 Questions, 3 Ideas, 1 Story, and a Ghost—Michael Rohd University Center U100 A reflection on ensemble practice inside and outside the theatre, the arts, and civic settings. 11:15-11:30am Break 11:30am-1:00pm SESSIONS (pick one)

Ensemble + University Partnerships for Creating Socially-Engaged Theater Location: University Center U205 Facilitator: Bruce Allardice (Ping Chong + Company) Presenters: Steven Hitt (LaGuardia Community College), Yuko Kurahashi (Kent State University), Michael Rohd (Northwestern University/Sojourn Theatre) Through a panel discussion featuring key staff and university partners from their 40+ year history, Ping Chong + Company will explore how theater companies and universities can fulfill artistic, social, and institutional goals through partnerships that allow the development of meaningful community engaged works. The panel will discuss how to build and sustain productive ensemble/university producing relationships.

Cross-Sector/Cross-Department Collaborations Location: University Center U622 Presenters: Meghan Frank (Dell’Arte International), Adam Fristoe (Out of Hand Theater), Morgan Jenness (Fordham University/Dramaturg) This session explores the best practices for cross-departmental and cross-sector collaborations, including funding models for creating and producing large-scale ensemble work.

Performing the Arts of Democracy Location: University Center U502 Presenters: Kevin Bott (Syracuse University, Imagining America), Yesutor Kotoka (New York Institute of Dance and Education), Denise Nepveux (Utica College), Sheila Smart Sicilia (Onondaga Community College) The D.R.E.A.M. Freedom Revival (DFR), based in Syracuse, New York and supported by Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life, will explore signature challenges and highlights from their three-year journey. Members of the 20-person ensemble will share a performance excerpt and discuss topics such as: the struggle to create quality aesthetic products while engaging in ethical democratic processes; the challenges to regular and consistent rehearsal and performance that inevitably arise by virtue of the fact that the ensemble is comprised of adult volunteers with full lives beyond the ensemble; and the struggle to balance the vision of the founder and director with the group’s democratic values.

University + Ensemble Practice for Social Justice Location: University Center U100 Presenters: Students from The New School The New School students host a dialogue on university ensemble practice, addressing issues of race and gender. The session will include case studies, a Theatre of the Oppressed workshop, and a lively roundtable discussion.

Creating Ensemble-Devised Work for the Mainstage Location: University Center U620 Presenter: Kali Quinn (Brown University/Trinity Rep and Accademia dell’Arte) This interactive workshop will look at possible methods for facilitating an ensemble-based devised process that upholds and models this practice as an equal part of the mainstage season within a university curriculum. Participants will experience a progression of the following rehearsal discoveries: character creation, building relationships, playing out world dynamics, and structuring the specific story that wants to be shared. 1:15-1:45pm

Closing Session

INTERSECTION VENUES The New School—University Center 65 Fifth Avenue (at East 13th Street) New York, NY 10011 La MaMa—Ellen Stewart Theatre 66 East 4th Street (between 2nd Avenue & Bowery) New York, NY 10003 Phebe’s Tavern & Grill 359 Bowery (at East 4th Street) New York, NY 10003

NOTES

NOTES

ABOUT NET A national coalition of ensembles created by and for artists, the Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET) exists to propel ensemble theater practice to the forefront of American culture and society. NET links a diverse array of ensembles and practitioners to one another and the performing arts field, encouraging collaborations and knowledge building and dissemination. NET is committed to the advancement of the ensemble form and strives to bring about change in the world beyond ourselves through the transformative power of collaborative theater. We support bold artistic and civic experiments and aim to heighten the impact and excellence of ensemble theater. Membership is open to ensemble companies, affiliate organizations, individuals, and students. For more information about NET’s upcoming activities, or how to become a member: Visit us online at www.ensembletheaters.net Contact us at [email protected] NET is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization.