February 23, 2012
www.pacepress.org
Volume 63 | Issue 15
THE PACE PRESS SERVING PACE UNIVERSITY’S MANHATTAN CAMPUS SINCE 1948
University remembers
beloved Professor Anne Lommel OLIVIA BETETA Arts Intern
Late University Performing Arts professor Anne Lommel.
“
Anne was just an amazing woman and an even more amazing mentor for every person in the Performing Arts Department. Her amazing talents will not be forgotten. — Dylan Bustamante
Performing Arts Professor Anne Lommel taught at the University for over 10 years before passing away at the age of 48 on Feb. 9, after battling cancer. In that time, as the head costume designer, set designer and costume shop supervisor, she grew to be one of the most beloved and adored professors at the University. The performing arts department is planning on an official memorial for Lommel in March. Dean of the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Nira Herrmann, released a statement announcing the death of Lommel. In her statement to the University, Associate Chair of the Performing Arts Department Ruis Woertendyke stated, “Anne’s influence on the department will always be remembered not only because all of our acting students have been dressed by her, but because she has mentored and guided many students whose interest has shifted towards costuming because of her influence. “Her work and dedication on the Costuming focus that has become such an important part of our proposed Design and Technical Theatre BFA Degree program will make Anne a perpetually current part of the Performing Arts Department. She will be greatly missed and always remembered,” Woertendyke said. Countless students and faculty found friendship with Lommel. Grant Kretchik, Director of the University’s BFA Acting program, was one of Lommel’s first students when she began teaching at the University in 2000. After numerous projects together, with the most recent being the Tennessee Williams festival this past September, the pair grew very close and their relationship changed from student and teacher to colleagues. Kretchik wants people to remember who Lommel was and what a huge role she had at the University. “Anne was in a very strange place because she was doing three people’s job[s]…I want people to remember she was a really talented woman who cared for the students as much as her design,” Kretchik said. Due to her work in both the acting and theater departments, Lommel had a huge student base. Over the four years that performing arts students devote to the University, students got to spend a great deal of time with Lommel and developed very personal relationships. Freshman Danny Hammond, who works in the University’s costume shop, recounts how often people would just stop by to visit and chat with Lommel. “People would just walk in out of habit just to say hey… She always put others first, always,” Hammond said. Kretchik also commented on Lommel’s open door policy. One of the things he will miss most about Lommel is stopping by to talk about everything. Lommel would drop everything just to talk and listen to anyone who wanted. Lommel was not simply a friend to all, she was also an amazing designer and her work was something to be admired. She was responsible for costuming anywhere from eight to 10 shows a year, both within and outside of the University. Her work was known to be impeccable and she would tailor them to the students wearing them. In her work at a theater in the East Village, she mentored blossoming designers, openly giving them tips and advice. University alumnus James Bedell worked with Lommel on multiple projects as a lighting technician. “Her creativity was only equaled by her passion for theatrical design and her willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done. Equally skilled at the sketch pad and with a Hudson sprayer, Anne was the consummate theatrical professional and the theater will sorely miss her passion, her creativity and her art,” Bedell wrote on his website. In honor of her role in the University, students have created a memorial with flowers and notes outside of the costume shop on the 10th floor of 41 Park Row. The memorial is just one way people are choosing to honor Lommel’s memory. The recent “La Mama” show series at the University was dedicated to Lommel. Since her passing, students and faculty have been posting to her Facebook where they have been sharing stories and memories of Lommel with her friends and family. Lommel had an obvious impact on the University and its students. Before her passing, she was working to develop a new BFA program and she had begun work on costuming the University’s Dance Out Loud performance this upcoming spring. Since her passing she has inspired numerous Facebook groups, blog posts and more, all to honor her memory. Her loss is surely a great one that has had an impact not only on the performing arts department, but the University as a whole.
Please view pages 6-7 for Anne Lommel memorial page
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