PAGE 2 A Message from the Dean
PAGE 3 17th Annual Awards Celebration
PAGE 4 Focus on Faculty: Alicia Grosso and Eric Trules
SUMMER 2008
Dr. Meiling Cheng Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship USC School of Theatre Associate Professor and Director of Critical Studies Dr. Meiling Cheng has been named a 2008
A Day of Celebration
Fellow by the John
School of Theatre Commencement 2008
Cheng was the only
Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation.
Dr. Meiling Cheng
“
T
faculty member at
his is a grand day,” declared Dean
the B.A. graduates. “We’ve each been warned
Madeleine Puzo opening the School of
of the impracticality of pursuing a degree in
a Guggenheim this year and was recognized
Theatre’s 2008 commencement. And
theatre. But when we cross this stage, we will
in the category of Fine Arts Research. The
USC to be awarded
indeed it was as the speakers used wit,
be handed tangible evidence that we have,
Fellowship will allow her to devote full time
wordplay, ideas, imagination and out-
each and every one of us, held on to our dream.”
to completing her book manuscript, Beijing
right theatricality to address the great challenges
Representing the B.F.A. graduates, Ashley K
Xingwei: Contemporary Time-based Art in China.
and greater joys of a commitment to the arts.
Singh performed a play-within-a-play-within-agraduation-address. “You’ve all been reading
Dean Madeline Puzo praised Dr. Cheng saying,
from the script called life,” Ashley advised her
“I am very pleased that Dr. Cheng’s scholarship is
celebration, reflection
peers. “But this is the day you all go ‘off book.’
being honored by the Guggenheim Foundation.
and giving thanks,”
Trust yourself – you know more than you think.
Dr. Cheng is an exemplary member of our faculty.
observed the Dean, who
And if you do happen to get lost along the way,
She is an excellent scholar, an engaging writer
used her time to thank
you can call ‘line’.”
and a wonderful, dedicated teacher. We are very
“Today is a day of
parents, teachers, staff
Keynote Speaker Christine Lahti
proud that she is a part of our School.”
and friends who had
M.F.A. playwright Donald Jolly, Jr. spoke with a
helped the graduates.
sense of inadequacy of “playwrights who came
Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Cheng
“It is no small thing to
before now passing their torches on to…us?”
came to the United States in 1986 to study at
encourage a young
“Today,” proclaimed Jolly of his class, “we are three
Yale University, School of Drama, where she
artist’s talent,” Puzo
bad-as-you-want-to-be, high-talking, high-falutin,
earned her M.F.A. (1989) and D.F.A. (1993)
concluded. “And we are all grateful for the belief
chest-thumping, test-grading, thumb-twiddling,
degrees in Theatre Arts. She began teaching at
and the support you have given our students.”
nitwit-peddling, leaf-chomping, toe-stomping,
USC in 1994 and has taught a variety of courses
beef-eating, gut-wrenching, tear-jerking, knee-
in theatre history, dramatic literature, contempo-
“Each of us who is graduating today has found
slapping, show-stopping, rabble-rousing, soul-
rary kinesthetic theatre and live art, and visual
that practicing theatre is a way in which we can
probing, myth-making, truth-telling playwrights.
and cultural studies. Dr. Cheng is a noted per-
make meaning,” said D.J. Cashmere, speaking for
Playwrights with a capital P and that rhymes
formance art critic and poet and has published
(continued on page 2)
(continued on back)
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
OUR SUMMER SEASON
S C H O O L O F T H E AT R E BOARD OF COUNCILORS
Lisa Barkett, Terry Berenson (Chair, USC School of Theatre Parents Council), LeVar Burton, Tim Curry, Charles Dillingham, Michele Dedeaux Engemann (Founding Chair), Robert Greenblatt, Susan A. Grode, Paula Holt, Gary Lask, Sheila Lipinsky, Martin Massman, Madeline Puzo, Madeline Ramer, Andy Tennant, Joe Tremaine, Richard Weinberg (Chair) Dean Madeline Puzo
In a world that is “on” 24/7, the university is one of the rare institutions that still has a distinctly annual rhythm, one that is the mirror image of the natural seasons. Although set in the middle of one of the world’s largest and most dynamic cities, our campus is like a small college town, a quiet “sleepy” place whose population is abruptly quadrupled every fall with the arrival of thousands of young people. There are nine months of intense activity and then, just as suddenly, the students depart and quiet returns.
Commencement (continued from cover)
with T and that means trouble – trouble because we’ve got something to say. We all can and we all must use the craft that we’ve been honing here to do our part to make this world a better place than how we found it.”
Well, kind of. I suspect that for many of us the experience of the “lazy days of summer” belongs to another century. Most of our students are now as intensely occupied with jobs or internships as they were a few months ago with classes, homework, rehearsals and performances. And while the absence of throngs of students might make the casual observer imagine that little is happening at the School of Theatre, things here are, in fact, somewhat hectic – although happily so, for we are now busy reconfiguring our offices, classrooms and other facilities and moving into our much needed additional space.
“Graduates, you have every reason to feel and to be optimistic,” announced Academy and Emmy Award-winning actress Christine Lahti in her keynote address. “For I’m here to report to you, after 35 years out there in the business of ‘show’,
Still, with classes over and the population reduced, there are more periods of quiet and more opportunity for reflection – which is not a euphemism, though I am reminded of Sam Keen’s observation that, “Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” Perhaps because I have a little more time to myself, I find my thoughts always returning to the many people whose generosity, support and work make the School of Theatre possible. USC’s President, Steven Sample, and Provost, Max Nikias, have been stalwart in their support for the School and it is thanks to them that we have our new space. Donors, faculty, parents, staff – so many contribute so much to make the School not merely successful but great.
that the peaks are indeed euphoric but the valleys, while they feel like craters at the time, are really just dips in the road. And often it is those dips, not the peaks, that turn out to be most meaningful.” With self-deprecating humor, keen insight, and invaluable wisdom, Lahti candidly recounted her own experiences of the “valleys” of the enter-
And I have to say – even as I relish the quiet of their temporary absence – that the most important people, the ones who contribute the most, are the students. It is their talent, intelligence, energy, commitment and enthusiasm that give the School its life and meaning and make it a wonderful place to be and work. It is the students who inspire the generosity of others – university, faculty, staff and donors. They certainly inspire me. And while I enjoy a little respite, a little quiet, I really can’t wait for August and their return.
tainment business – and how they made her a better, more discriminating artist and an activist. “You will all find your own unique paths,” said Lahti, summing up the spirit of the day. “Believe me – you are all special. And because you’ve
I hope your summer is both restful and productive. See you in the fall.
chosen a career in the theatre, with its unique power to move us and to change our lives, I am certain you will all shed much-needed life on human existence. So be resilient. Be exquisitely Madeline Puzo
‘unsquishable.’ Work really hard. Break all the
Dean
rules. And the sky is the limit. Congratulations.”
2
17th Annual Awards Celebration Held on Stage at Bing Theatre The School of Theatre held its 17th Annual Awards Celebration on Friday, May 9, on the stage of the Bing Theatre. The dinner and ceremony acknowledged exceptional
2007–08 AWARD RECIPIENTS Aileen Stanley Memorial Award
John Ritter Award
For Undergraduate Students
For Comic Performance
Sara Fox Lindsey Garrett
Donald Webber, Jr. Stanley Musgrove Award
John Blankenchip/Bill White Award
For Outstanding Creative Talent
work done by students in all areas of discipline over the past year, including acting,
For Outstanding Contributions
Peter Brown
design, stage management and technical direction. We are extremely proud of the
Chelsea Bardellini Melissa Trupp
Jack Nicholson Award
USC Alumni and Friends Award
For Outstanding Undergraduate Actor/Actress
extraordinary work of our talented students and of the dedicated faculty who guide them with such skill and expertise. Congratulations to all!
Savannah Southern-Smith
Brian Jordan Alvarez Troian Bellisario
Ruth and Albert McKinlay Award
Ritchie Spencer Memorial Award
For Two Undergraduate B.A. Students Performer: Ray Chase Highest G.P.A.: Amanda Waddell
For a Graduating Designer
For Creative Student Activities
Kathryn Poppen James and Nony Doolittle Award
Student Council Award
For Graduating Seniors
For a Graduating Senior
Philip Kong Brittany Perham-MacWhorter Kathryn Poppen Donald Webber, Jr.
Donald Webber, Jr. Nancy Kehr Reed Award For funding an Independent Student Production
Joseph DeSoto David Dukes Acting Scholarship For a Junior Student
Jonathan Baron Zachary DeZon Ava Greenwald Memorial Award For a Graduating Actor
Outstanding Dance Choreographer Awards Fall Concert: Catherine Ricafort Spring Concert: Jeniffer Hsu, Justine Hsu, John D. Beaty, Bradford Hill Dance Leadership Awards Melissa Joseph Jessica Schaer Mary Thurtle
Devin Kelley James B. Pendleton Award For Outstanding Contributions
Bill White Faculty Recognition Award Casey Cowan Gale
Britney McAden
USC FRIENDS OF THEATRE DONOR MARQUEE The USC School of Theatre would like to recognize the tremendous generosity of the following individuals and organizations whose cumulative giving has exceeded $1 million. Their foresight and commitment to the arts and higher education have helped transform the School into one of the nation’s premiere theatrical training institutions.
VISIONARY CIRCLE Dr. & Mrs. Peter Bing and the Anna H. Bing Living Trust George N. Burns Trust Katherine B. Loker
The USC School of Theatre is grateful to those who have given wisdom, talent, time and financial resources to the benefit of the School. Our Donor Marquee recognizes those members have made pledges of $500 or more to
the School between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. We hope that you will consider becoming a member as well by joining these supporters. Please take a moment to return the enclosed reply envelope. For more information about giving to the School of Theatre, please contact Chris Cook at 213.821.4047, or cc.cook@usc.edu. SEASON SPONSORS Eric T. Kalkhurst & Nora K. Hui EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS Lisa & Bill Barkett Roger & Michele Dedeaux Engemann Catherine Gousha Jean & Steve Hamerslag Bruce Vanyo PRODUCERS Anonymous Bob & Terry Berenson Michael & Debbie Felix
Gary & Karen Lask Sheila & Jeffrey Lipinsky Andy Tennant Malcolm Waddell & Suzanne Bruce Richard & Diane Weinberg DIRECTORS Mitch & Bonnie Bloom Angela & Amir Bozorgmir John & Leslie Burns Tate Donovan Susan A. Grode Lynn Davis Lasher Fred & Emily Nason Sally & Howard Oxley, In honor of Dean Madeline Puzo Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Iris & Matthew Strauss PATRONS Inger Armour Ong The Emanuel Bachmann Foundation Robert Greenblatt Jim & Susan Polos Joe Tremaine
3
ANGELS Sherril & David Anderle, In memory of Thomas Costello Eliot & Sheryl Barnett Pierson & Sara Bancroft Clair Barbara Cotler Gail & Jim Ellis David Emmes The Gale Family Foundation, In honor of Tina Barbato K. Robert & Mary C. Hahn Jack Larson Joanne & John Leslie, In honor of Patrick W. Leslie, Class of 2008 B.F.A., Acting Julie Levin & Marc Daigle Masako & Kazumi Maki Alice & Filippo Masciarelli Debbie & Bob Myman Jacqueline & Harry Pappas Nancy Ritter Mark Rossen & Mary Gwynn Rick Silverman Nancy Sinatra, Sr. Douglas M. Tisdale, Esq. Rebecca & John Walsh, In honor of Jordan Walsh JoAnne & Bruce Westbrook Linda Yu
BENEFACTORS Gisela Brodin-Brosnan Joan & Allan Burns Beth Corets & Alfred Gough Andrea & Fred Fenster Doyle Gray Tuula & Matt Kanen Ann Landrum Jerry Neill Irene & Andy Robinson Aurie Salfen Charles & Pamela Schroeder Jennifer Thibault We have taken care to list names and gift designations accurately. If you believe there has been an error or omission, please contact development assistant Vanessa Tuverson by phone at 213.821.4262 or send her a note via email addressed to vtuverso@usc.edu.
Thank you for your support.
F O C U S O N F A C U LT Y
Dr. Meiling Cheng (continued from cover)
Alicia Grosso
Eric Trules
With a B.A. in Drama from the University of Washington and an M.F.A. in Theatre Directing from the USC School of Theatre, Alicia is an interdisciplinary theatre artist. She directs and designs for School of Theatre shows and has directed and designed many productions in the Los Angeles area, including Diary of a Scoundrel for Culver City Theater in the Park, which received an L.A. Weekly Pick of the Week, On the Verge at Hollywood Moguls, Recalled to Life at St. Genesius, The Imaginary Invalid at Stage of Grace and Speaking Parts at the Zephyr.
Senior Lecturer Eric Trules has been a working professional in the performing arts for over 35 years. He is currently a Fulbright Senior Specialist and was a 2002 Fulbright Scholar to Malaysia, an Allen Ginsberg Poetry Award winner, a screenwriter, and a USC Phi Kappa Phi “Faculty Recognition Award” winner. After graduating cum laude from the University of Buffalo, he began as a professional modern dancer and choreographer in Chicago and was co-founder of MoMing, the renowned dance and arts center, and director of N.Y.C.’s Resident Clown Troupe, where he ran for Mayor of New York as clown candidate Gino Cumeezi, finishing fifth out of four candidates.
She is an innovator in prop design and has written a book about how to use glycerin soap to create food props. She also has two books on soapmaking – Soapmaking: A Magical Guide and The Everything Soapmaking Book, now in its second edition. She is currently working on a new book, Skin Survival Guide for Actors, a common-sense guide to the makeup and skincare challenges facing actors. Her classes include Introduction to the Theatre, Stage Makeup, Introduction to Technical Theatre, as well as Directing and Stage Properties. She teaches an archaeological approach to prop design and a “language of observation” as a way to give useful feedback on our work. Her research focuses on the work of early 20th century teacher/producer/ writer Alice Buckton and her “Glastonbury and Street Festival Players,” as well as four periods of Sacred Drama in Glastonbury, England, ranging from archaeological evidence of ritual from Bronze Age settlements, to Medieval passion plays at the Glastonbury Abby, the New Avalonian period (Buckton’s period) and contemporary Goddess Drama. Alicia is committed to removing gender and racial biases from the field of stage makeup.
Since moving to Los Angeles in 1983, Eric has acted in Hollywood theatre, TV and film productions; sold a screenplay that was broadcast on Cinemax; edited and published Euphonia, A Los Angeles Journal for Men; presented performance poetry on KCRW and at Beyond Baroque; and directed-produced a feature length, autobiographical documentary film, The Poet and the Con. His specialty is solo performance and he has twice toured his one-man shows to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. Eric is also founder and director of the Spoken Word Festival, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to bringing live spoken word to underserved communities in L.A. “Trules,” as he is known to students, has been a SOT faculty member since 1986 and teaches Improvisation and Theatre Games, Solo Performance, and a Freshman Seminar called “Self Expression and the Arts.” He believes that college can be more than merely the acquisition of knowledge and the preparation for a vocational career, but also about the discovery of oneself, one’s voice and one’s passion. Please see more on his website: http://www.erictrules.com.
We’d like to hear from you, keep you informed and share your news in an upcoming issue of Callboard. Please mail this completed form to: USC School of Theatre, Attn: Tony Sherwood, Childs Way, DRC 104, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0791, fax to 213.821.4051, or email rsherwoo@usc.edu.
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2002), received a Junior Faculty Award from Southern California Studies Center and the Zumberge Individual Research Grant from USC. She won another Zumberge Individual Research Grant in 2006 to conduct fieldwork in Beijing for her current book project, Beijing Xingwei, the project for which she received the 2008 Guggenheim Fellowship. Since 2004, Dr. Cheng has published a series of groundbreaking articles in the U.S., U.K. and Australia on performance art (translated as “xingwei yishu”) and installation (“zhuangzhi yishu”) in China’s post-Mao era. She also presented internationally numerous papers on Chinese experimental art, traveling to Singapore, London, Boston, Providence, Chicago, Toronto and New York for her talks. She will be giving two papers on performative photographs and documenting time-based art in Copenhagen this summer. Since 1925, the Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has annually offered Fellowships to artists, scholars and scientists in all fields. Based on recommendation from panels and juries involving hundreds of distinguished artists and scientists, 190 Fellowships have been granted this year, with awards totaling $8,200,000. Guggenheim Fellows are appointed on the basis of impressive achievement in the past and exceptional promise for future accomplishment.
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Dean Madeline Puzo
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book, In Other Los Angeleses: Multicentric Performance Art (University of California Press,
University of Southern California
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widely in both English and Chinese. Her first
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