Ithaca College Theatre will present William Finn's A New Brain, with scenic design by Cornell University's Kent Goetz.Ithaca College Theatre will present William Finn's A New Brain, with scenic design by Cornell University's Kent Goetz.
For years Ithaca College and Cornell University's theater departments have been collaborating to bring exciting productions to the Ithaca community. In current and past seasons, lighting design professor Steve TenEyck and acting professors Greg Bostwick and Norm Johnson have been guest artists, directing or designing, at Cornell. This semester, it is Ithaca's turn to host a guest artist from Cornell as IC Theatre's production of A New Brain features scenic design by Cornell professor Kent Goetz.
A New Brain is Goetz's first project at Ithaca. Of the experience so far, Goetz remarks, "The biggest difference I've noticed between the IC and Cornell theater departments is in the focus and motivation of the students." At Cornell many of the students who are involved with the theater department are not necessarily studying for careers in that field. At Ithaca, however, the students who design, act, and manage the shows are training for careers in theater and the focus of many of the undergraduate degree programs is on gaining professional experience. Goetz notes, "at IC I've observed that students are given roles with substantial responsibility earlier in their program -- and they rise valiantly to the task."
Ithaca is a small town, but is home to a number of theaters and theater companies. When asked about the importance of collaboration in a place like Ithaca, Goetz said, "Given the modest size of Ithaca's arts community, pooling the diverse, but limited, capital and human resources from the different institutions allows us to create artistically rich experiences that rival those found in larger cities."
Not only designers and directors have collaborated on projects between the two institutions; IC assistant professor Kathleen Mulligan was a cast member of Cornell's production of The History Boys this season.
IC undergraduates have also worked as guest artists at Cornell. Recent graduate Amy Elyse Cohen taught circus routines to performers in The Bourgeois Gentleman last season. IC theater arts management major Christine Olivier is currently choreographing the Schwartz Center's production of Leonard Bernstein's Mass, opening April 21.
Directed by Susannah Berryman, A New Brain previews at Ithaca College Tuesday, March 24, at 8:00 p.m. Performances will be offered at 8:00 p.m. on March 24, 26-28, 31, and April 1-4, with matinee performances offered at 2:00 p.m. on March 28, 29, and April 4. All performances will be held in the Clark Theatre in Dillingham Center on the Ithaca College campus.
Ticket prices range from $4.50 to $10.00 and may be purchased in person at the Ithaca College ticket office in Dillingham Center or by calling 607-274-3224. Tickets may also be purchased at the Clinton House Ticket Center by calling 607-273-4497 or visiting www.ithacaevents.com.
https://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/20090324151355859