Faculty Legacy

Robbie McCauley, OBIE Award playwright of Sally’s Rape, an internationally recognized performance artist and director appears in her play, Sugar, recently presented at Live Arts in New York; and performed in a work in progress performance piece, “Associative Behavior in the Fifth Species” at the Williamsburg Art Historical Center, and at Dixon Place. Her innovative theatre pieces include My Father and the Wars, Persimmon Peel with the late beloved Laurie Carlos and Teenytown written and performed by Thought Music, a performance trio with Carlos and Jessica Hagedorn. Directing credits include an innovative interpretation of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie at Roxbury Repertory Theater and Adrienne Kennedy’s Sleep Deprivation Chamber at Penumbra Theatre Co. in Minnesota. Acting credits include For Colored Girls Who’ve Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Is Enuf on Broadway, and Fences at the Tyrone Guthrie in Minnesota. Her influential work involving theatre made to converse about race in the early 90’s included The Buffalo Project at Hallwalls and the Primary Sources series in Western Mississippi, Boston, and Los Angeles produced by The Arts Company. Widely anthologized, including Omi Osun Joni L. Jones’ newest book, Experiments in a Jazz Aesthetic, Robbie McCauley is a Professor Emerita of Emerson College in Boston.

TEACHING STATEMENT:
“Audibility is not a liability. It is an enhancement. Clarity is strength not weakness. Please work with a partner, if possible. But better to do a ‘solo’ than no work at all. If asked to ‘bring a scene back’ next week, please do so. You have the right to say ‘I’d rather not.’ I retain the right to make it mandatory. Avoid being late. Excused lateness is a privilege. Don’t make it a habit. Rise to a challenge. Don’t intentionally miscast yourself. Be courageous. Behavioral values are more potent than literary decisions. Criticism may be brutal but never cruel.”

BIO:
Broadway: A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS, FORTUNE’S FOOL, AN INSPECTOR CALLS, ARMS AND THE MAN, KINGDOMS, JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN. Off Broadway: RICHARD II (Bayfield Award), THREE SISTERS, THE FOREST, UNCLE VANYA, IVANOV (CSC); ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA (TFANA), MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION, THE COUNTRY GIRL, CYRANO (Roundabout), PRINCIPIA SCRIPTORIAE, GOLDEN AGE (MTC), HEARTBREAK HOUSE, VIEUX CARRE (Pearl), HAMLET, OTHELLO, CYMBELINE, HENRY V, AS YOU LIKE IT, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (Public). THE OXFORD ROOF CLIMBERS REBELLION (Urban Stages). FREUD’S LAST SESSION (New World Stages). A PICTURE OF AUTUMN, THE MADRAS HOUSE, THE VOYSEY INHERITANCE, UNCLE BOB – (Premiere), THE LONELY WAY, DONOGOO (Mint). NORA (Cherry Lane). Regionals: GOLDEN AGE (Premiere) – Philadelphia and Kennedy Center. Other regions include Baltimore, Arizona, Seattle, Long Wharf, Pittsburgh, Manitoba, Peterborough NH, Williamstown. Films include: TWENTY BUCKS; WHAT’S UP DOC?; THOSE LIPS, THOSE EYES; THEY ALL LAUGHED; SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY. TV includes: OZ (HBO), DAMAGES, LAW AND ORDER SVU. Fox Fellow, 2000. Brown University (Phi Beta Kappa), Yale School of Drama.

TEACHING STATEMENT:

“With exercises in Acting Technique and working with the author’s words in Scene Study, my goal is to guide students to find their own voice as theatre artists. I insist students take the time to ask the questions, do the needed exploration, understand the importance of process in our work and to please not leave their imaginations behind in this culture of instant answers. The joy for me is our working together as we discover and learn.”

BIO:

Studied with Uta Hagen and at the Henry St. Playhouse. Broadway: TOYS IN THE ATTIC (Clarence Derwent Award), HAROLD, WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, HAPPILY NEVER AFTER, SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR; and CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF. Off-Broadway: TERRIBLE JIM FITCH, THE ENCLAVE, BITS AND PIECES, VOICES, THE ROADS TO HOME, DRIVING MISS DAISY, LOVE LETTERS, and AFTER PLAY. Regional: SUZANNA ANDLER, SOLOMON’S CHILD, THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, GOODBYE MOSCOW, THE MAIDS, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE. Canada: DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee). Ensemble Studio Theatre: Horton Foote’s THE TRAVELING LADY. HB Playwrights Foundation: THE NIGHT SEASONS, 1918, VALENTINE’S DAY, MANNERHOUSE, A STEP OUT OF LINE, DOÑA ROSITA, SUNDAY’S CHILD, and THE HABITATION OF DRAGONS. FOOD FOR THOUGHT reading of Dorothy Parker’s HERE WE ARE. Symphony Space: SELECTED SHORTS, BLOOMSDAY ON BROADWAY and WALL TO WALL GERTRUDE STEIN. Film: SCENT OF A WOMAN, AN UNREMARKABLE LIFE, COURTSHIP, 1918, VALENTINE’S DAY, LIANA, NEXT STOP GREENWICH VILLAGE, and HOLLYWOOD ENDING. TV: ALL MY CHILDREN, LAW & ORDER, TRIBECA, Horton Foote’s STORY OF A MARRIAGE (American Playhouse), the Academy Award-winning short film Steven Wright’s HBO Special, KENNEDY, and CBS Wednesday Night Movie, IN DEFENSE OF KIDS. Rochelle directed the HB Playwrights Foundation/HB Ensemble production of Horton Foote’s THE CHASE, HB HOLIDAY PLAYS 2007, HB WAITING ROOM PLAYS 2008, FOOD FOR THOUGHT, readings of Israel Horowitz’s THE 75th, Jules Feiffer’s CRAWLING ARNOLD, THE BEDROOM PLAYS 2012, and BRILLIANT TRACES for HB Studio’s First Floor Studio residency program.

Studied with Herbert Berghof and Uta Hagen. Member of HB Studio since 1952, faculty member since 1957. Stage debut in THE GOOD WOMAN OF SETZUAN, starring Uta Hagen. Off-Broadway: THIS SIDE OF PARADISE, ANDORRA, GOAL GATE, HYACINTH HALVEY, the Bishop in THE PRICE OF GENIUS, Almandy in THE PLAY’S THE THING, Edward in THE COCKTAIL PARTY, Goff in David Wiltse’s SUGGS for HTC, Lucky in the Arthur Storch production of WAITING FOR GODOT, and ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Film: opposite Rod Steiger in THE PAWNBROKER. TV: THE NAKED CITY. Directing: UNDERCOVER MAN (HB Playwrights Foundation and Off-Broadway), CONDITIONED REFLEX (ANTA), Shaw’s YOU NEVER CAN TELL (E.L.T.), Pinter’s NIGHT and ONE FOR THE ROAD (Chelsea Arts Center), BETRAYAL and MISS JULIE (HB), O’Casey’s A BEDTIME STORY, and a stage adaptation of Dorothy Parker’s HERE WE ARE (Lincoln Center). HB Playwrights Foundation Acting: ANIMAL LOVERS and DOÑA ROSITA. Directed and designed: THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE (No Smoking), the Harrison translation of Molière’s THE MISANTHROPE (Swiss House, 1995), and the American Premiere of Jean Anouilh’s MEDEA (Hudson Guild Theatre, 1957). Writing: with Jim Boerlin, THE KNIVES ARE SILENT, an adaptation of VENICE PRESERVED, and MAY DAY (screenplay) based on the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Faculty member of The Hagen Institute at HB Studio with both The Hagen Summer Intensive and The Hagen Core Training programs. Recently directed Ferenc Molnár’s THE PLAY’S THE THING at HBPF.

Rita Gardner has had a long career on and off Broadway. She is best known for originating the role of The Girl in the longest running musical of all time, THE FANTASTICKS. Her Broadway credits include A FAMILY AFFAIR, BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS, 1776, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS, and Rosie in the musical THE WEDDING SINGER. Off-Broadway: JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, STEEL MAGNOLIAS, and WINGS. She has recently starred as Vera in 4000 MILES at the Studio of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Other theatrical credits include A.R. Gurney’s THE SNOWBALL, THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE, GINGERBREAD LADY and SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM. She has performed in productions at Goodspeed Opera House, Ford Theatre in Washington, DC, and New York City’s Connelly Theatre, among other celebrated venues. Ms. Gardner also performed in the National tour of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN. Film: MR. GIBB, SUPER HEROES and P.S. I LOVE YOU (with Hillary Swank). TV: roles on GUIDING LIGHT and each version of LAW & ORDER, as well as various other television appearances. Ms. Gardner’s most recent theatrical activities include the reading of the new Broadway musical version of QUEEN OF THE STARDUST BALLROOM, starring Tyne Daly, Lucie Arnaz and Keith Carradine, slated for next Spring, and also the title role in the reading of a new play with music—ZAZOU—tentatively scheduled for the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Film work includes short films, done as part of RIPFEST, which has just recently concluded. And, along with this busy schedule, she continues with her first love—her one-woman show—TRY TO REMEMBER: A LOOK BACK AT OFF-BROADWAY.

Broadway: PAL JOEY (Tony Award), NO, NO, NANETTE (Tony Award), SUGAR BABIES, MAME, SWEET CHARITY, PAJAMA GAME, HAZEL FLAGG, and HIGH BUTTON SHOES. City Center: OKLAHOMA!, GUYS AND DOLLS, FINIAN’S RAINBOW, and BRIGADOON. Off-Broadway: TALLULAH, I CAN’T KEEP RUNNING IN PLACE, THE MISANTHROPE, ELECTRA, RED ROVER RED ROVER, THE GINGERBREAD LADY, and HOTHOUSE. George Street Playhouse: Anne Meara’s AFTER PLAY, Arthur Lawrence’s 2 LIVES, W. Gibson’s HANDY DANDY. Tour: ABSURD PERSON SINGULAR. TV: three Emmys for the role of Maeve Ryan in RYAN’S HOPE. Film: STRANGERS WHEN WE MEET and ROSELAND. Directing: A BACKWARD GLANCE OF EDITH WHARTON, HB Playwrights Foundation.

Broadway: THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL, DIVIDING THE ESTATE, MULE BONE, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM, DESIGN FOR LIVING, YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE ICEMAN COMETH, THE RIVER NIGER, AIN’T SUPPOSED TO DIE A NATURAL DEATH and ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT WINGS. Off-Broadway: THE PICTURE BOX, THE LITTLE FLOWER OF EAST ORANGE, TWO TRAINS RUNNING, DRIVING MISS DAISY. Film: RED HOOK SUMMER, GODS BEHAVING BADLY, WHERE IS JOEL BAUM?, 2 DAYS IN NEW YORK, PLEASE GIVE, KINSEY, MUSIC OF THE HEART, ’ROUND MIDNIGHT, CAR WASH, MALCOLM X, CROOKLYN, and THE OUT-OF-TOWNERS. TV: DELOCATED, A GIFTED MAN, PAN AM, NYC 22, RESCUE ME, LAW & ORDER, NURSE JACKIE. Founding member of the Negro Ensemble Company. Awards: Obie Award (Sustained Excellence of Performance), Lucille Lortel Award (Outstanding Featured Actor, TWO TRAINS RUNNING), and 5 AUDELCO Awards for Excellence in Black Theatre (Acting & Directing).

Studied and co-taught the craft of playwriting with her mentor, Herbert Berghof. Her first play, ALMOST ON A RUNWAY, consisted of three one-acts, written under the tutelage and direction of Herbert Berghof, and starred Rosemary De Angelis, Celeste Holm, Wesley Addy and Ben Piazza. It was an experience every new playwright dreams about but is very seldom realized: a fabulous production where one could continue to learn their craft without the onus of commercial pressure, even with an all-star cast. Her many plays have been produced by: The Carnegie Mellon New Play Festival, Theatre East, McCarter Theatre, Roundabout Theatre, WPA Theatre, Playhouse in the Park, the Cape Playhouse, the Westchester Playhouse, and the John Drew Theatre in East Hampton. Her latest play, OUR SON’S WEDDING, was produced at Gloucester Repertory in 2007, the Lake George Dinner Theatre in 2008, and at the Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida, in August 2011.

TEACHING STATEMENT:

“Every student is different.  My job is to be a diagnostician, identifying the particular issues holding an actor back from reaching his or her potential, then nudging them towards finding, and owning, the keys to their own freedom.”

BIO:

MFA in Acting, University of Minnesota, also studied at HB Studio and with Andre Gregory. Broadway: THE ASSEMBLED PARTIES (2013); GORE VIDAL’S THE BEST MAN (2012); LOST IN YONKERS; TWELVE ANGRY MEN; GORE VIDAL’S THE BEST MAN (original production); A THOUSAND CLOWNS; THE GRADUATE; MY THING OF LOVE; and THE MERCHANT. Off-Broadway: THE GOOD MOTHER; LONELY, I’M NOT; WE LIVE HERE; PICKED; AFTER THE REVOLUTION; THE SINGING FOREST; MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA; BUFFALO GAL; THE MUSIC TEACHER; THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME; THE WAVERLY GALLERY; THE SEAGULL; KEY EXCHANGE; TABLE SETTINGS; SAY GOODNIGHT GRACIE; LITTLE FOOTSTEPS; IT’S ONLY A PLAY; MISLANSKY ZILINSKY; and GUS AND AL, for which he received an Obie Award. Film: THE GREEN; SHATTERED GLASS; DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN; CROCODILE DUNDEE; THE PRESIDIO; BLIND DATE; JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS; WORTH WINNING; MIAMI RHAPSODY. TV: Most recently appeared in Netflix’s YOU, HBO’s SUCCESSION, and Amazon’s MOZART IN THE JUNGLE. Other TV credits: INDICTMENT: THE McMARTIN TRIAL; STEVE MARTIN’S THE JUDGE; THE DEFENDERS; as well as guest-starring roles in THE GOOD WIFE; LAW & ORDER; FRINGE; THE SOPRANOS; WEST WING; CSI MIAMI; JUDGING AMY; NYPD BLUE; ST. ELSEWHERE; MIAMI VICE; FRASIER; WINGS; ROSEANNE; THE PRACTICE; and many others. Teaching: Fordham University, Manhattan School of Music, The USDAN Summer Conservatory Program, The Lincoln Center Institute for Education, and the Manhattan Theatre Club Educational Program, Brooklyn College. Mark is the Director of the Uta Hagen Institute’s Hagen Core Training at HB Studio.

Remembering
GEORGE BARTENIEFF
(1933–2022)

Graduate of both RADA and Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. Broadway: THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (with Al Pacino), FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, THE WHOLE WORLD OVER, MONTSERRAT, MISALLIANCE, UNLIKELY HEROES, ROOM SERVICE, MOON BESIEGED, BOX MAO BOX. Off-Broadway: KRAPP’S LAST TAPE, THE ZOO STORY, THE AMERICAN DREAM, THE SANDBOX, PROMETHEUS BOUND, I WILL BEAR WITNESS (Obie), STUFF HAPPENS (Drama Desk), HOME MOVIES, THE BRIG, ROMEO AND JULIET, ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, THE MEMORANDUM, INCREASED DIFFICULTY OF CONCENTRATION, CYMBELINE, AMERICAN NOTES, DEAD END KIDS, THE EXPRESSWAY, US (Obie). Regional: TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (Philly Award Best Actor 2005–06 season), THE TEMPEST, THE CHERRY ORCHARD, MRS. WARREN’S PROFESSION, VALLEY SONG, AS YOU LIKE IT, THE LADY’S NOT FOR BURNING, ORDINARY NATION. Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Theater for the New City for 24 years; then, Theater Three Collaborative in 1994. Recipient of two additional Obies for producing. TV and Film includes: CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, LAW & ORDER, 30 ROCK, RESCUE ME, ANIMA, SEE NO EVIL, JULIE & JULIA and THE DICTATOR (with Sacha Baron Cohen). Guest teacher at Sarah Lawrence, Wesleyan University, Towson State, Centre State, CUNY, Maryland State Colleges.