In the Fall of 1980 I applied for my first job as a guest artist at a college and I got it. I was working as an office temp, when I got the call that they were interested. In 1980 they still called you, as we were still far from the world of texts and emails back then. Needless to say, I was very excited. I had directed college students for the first time that spring when I mounted THE GLASS MENAGERIE for the Mimes and Mummers of Fordham University at the Rose Hill Campus in the Bronx, and was eager to work with students once again. After a preliminary chat with the Dr. John Bolin, head of the theatre division, I was invited to fly out for an in person interview. I flew out in November for an intensive two day interview and audition process. They had two other candidates they were considering as well. I met with Dr. Bolin and the other members of the theatre department. Most curiously, they also had me spend half a day with the students in the theatre department. In addition, the head of human resources took me out to the best restaurant and inn in town for an extended meal. I guess they wanted to vet me thoroughly. Well the students liked me and I passed the HR dining test with flying colors. Shortly before Christmas Dr. Bolin called to offer me the job. It included teaching, acting and directing. I was in seventh heaven. I arrived on campus in late January. When I asked Dr. Bolin how he wanted me to proceed, he said, \u201cwe hired you for your expertise, here is your budget, you set up the program and run it however you wish.\u201d I was still a bit wet behind the ears back then and I had no idea what a rare opportunity this was. Suddenly I was head of the newly christened Theatre Apprentice Program. I mustered all my bravura and somehow rose to the occasion, setting up a thorough and intensive training program, including Speech for the Stage, Classical Acting, Scene Study, Movement for the Actor and more. We mounted two apprentice productions that season, THE ZOO STORY and KENNEDY\u2019S CHILDREN. In the festival that summer on the mainstage, I acted in two plays THE MADWOMAN OF CHAILLOT and PICNIC and directed THE LION IN WINTER. Hired for my so-called expertise, I somehow grew into it that season. Dr. Bolin later told me my program paved the way for the instituting of the theatre major a year or so later. What a privilege to be given free rein in the academic arena the first time round! Little did I know that it would not always be so easy. Dr. Bolin’s generosity of spirit set me on the path to grow into the giving artist I am today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In the Fall of 1980 I applied for my first job as a guest artist at a college and I got it. I was working as an office temp, when I got the call that they were interested. In 1980 they still called you, as we were still far from the world of texts and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-stockomania"],"metadata":{"_edit_lock":["1598362399:38"],"_edit_last":["38"],"_wpac_members_redirect_to":[""],"_wpac_show_in_search":["0"],"_wpac_show_excerpt_in_search":["0"],"_wpac_nonmembers_redirect_to":[""],"ase_chapter_enable_timeline":["off"],"ase_map_component_start_point":["a:2:{s:3:\"lat\";d:29.76;s:3:\"lng\";d:-95.38;}"]},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n