Word: brustein
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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Professor of English Robert Brustein created the Institute after trying unsuccessfully to establish a graduate dramatics program here for the past eight years. Brustein, who is founding director of both the Yale Repertory Theater and the ART, says that in 1979 he proposed "we bring a theater here and a conservatory." He adds, "But President Bok did not want to consider a conservatory because Harvard had no undergraduate courses in theater for credit...
Since then, Harvard has developed an undergraduate drama program, and Brustein says the University became willing to accept the Institute for professional actors...
Once a week the students attend "The Repertory Ideal" with Brustein and Riddell to discuss dramatic issues and meet with guests like director David Mamet. Last week the students had a question and answer session with actress Claire Bloom, who advised them to "keep your eyes open" for opportunity...
...course, the Institute is not only for actors. David Herskovits and Tina Landau are both studying to be directors, and Mary Coleman is studying dramaturgy, a German tradition of theatrical literary managers which Brustein helped bring to America. Riddell says the Institute also expects to begin a program for designers next year and one for playwrights within two years...
...directing students have no mandatory classes, but are expected to work on ART and Institute productions. Herskovits is the assistant director of Gillette, and Landau is the assistant director of Brustein's production of Luigi Pirandello's Right You Are (If You Think You Are). Landau is also directing the Institute's Cabaret...