Michael Warren Powell: Difference between revisions
David notMD (talk | contribs) →Artistic director: removed subjective first sentence; restore only if a citation states as much |
Adding short description: "American artistic director" |
||
(14 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Short description|American artistic director}} |
|||
{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
||
| name = Michael Warren Powell |
| name = Michael Warren Powell |
||
Line 4: | Line 5: | ||
| birth_place = [[Martinsville, Virginia|Martinsville]], [[Virginia]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
| birth_place = [[Martinsville, Virginia|Martinsville]], [[Virginia]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
||
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|07|17|1937|1|22}} |
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2016|07|17|1937|1|22}} |
||
| death_place = Manhattan, New York City, New York |
| death_place = [[Manhattan]], [[New York City, New York]] |
||
| nationality = American |
| nationality = American |
||
| years_active = 1960s–2016 |
| years_active = 1960s–2016 |
||
Line 10: | Line 11: | ||
| known_for = The Lab, Circle Rep 1985-1996 |
| known_for = The Lab, Circle Rep 1985-1996 |
||
}} |
}} |
||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
==Early career== |
==Early career== |
||
Originally from Martinsville, Virginia, Powell attended the Goodman Memorial Theater School at the [[Art Institute of Chicago]]. In the early 1960s, he moved to New York City with his friend, [[Lanford Wilson]], both aspiring theater artists. The two lived together and formed a personal and professional partnership that lasted for many years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Beth |title=Lanford Wilson Obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/mar/25/lanford-wilson-obituary |accessdate=28 August 2020 | |
Originally from Martinsville, Virginia, Powell attended the Goodman Memorial Theater School at the [[Art Institute of Chicago]]. In the early 1960s, he moved to New York City with his friend, [[Lanford Wilson]], both aspiring theater artists. The two lived together and formed a personal and professional partnership that lasted for many years.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Porter |first1=Beth |title=Lanford Wilson Obituary |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/mar/25/lanford-wilson-obituary |accessdate=28 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=March 25, 2011}}</ref> |
||
In New York, Powell worked as a design assistant for a home decorator, Leona Kahn, and became involved with the [[Caffe Cino]] as an actor and designer.<ref name=MasonBook>{{cite book |last1=Mason |first1=Marshall |title=The Transcendent Years: Circle Rep Theater & the 60s |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=Goodreads Press |isbn=978-1632920539}}</ref> |
In New York, Powell worked as a design assistant for a home decorator, Leona Kahn, and became involved with the [[Caffe Cino]] as an actor and designer.<ref name=MasonBook>{{cite book |last1=Mason |first1=Marshall |title=The Transcendent Years: Circle Rep Theater & the 60s |date=April 13, 2018 |publisher=Goodreads Press |isbn=978-1632920539}}</ref> |
||
Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
Powell acted in several productions at the Caffe Cino, the coffeehouse theater in the West Village that was founded by [[Joe Cino]] and is often described as the birthplace of [[Off-Off-Broadway]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McElroy |first1=Steven |title=Portal to Off Off Broadway's Early Days |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/theater/donation-to-library-opens-new-portal-to-caffe-cino.html |accessdate=August 28, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 7, 2001}}</ref> |
Powell acted in several productions at the Caffe Cino, the coffeehouse theater in the West Village that was founded by [[Joe Cino]] and is often described as the birthplace of [[Off-Off-Broadway]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McElroy |first1=Steven |title=Portal to Off Off Broadway's Early Days |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/11/theater/donation-to-library-opens-new-portal-to-caffe-cino.html |accessdate=August 28, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=December 7, 2001}}</ref> |
||
Plays in which Powell acted include the 1964 debut of ''[[The Madness of Lady Bright]]'' by Lanford Wilson and directed by Denis Deagan, one of the early plays of the gay theater movement. Powell appeared in ''So Long at the Fair'' by Wilson, and the revivals of ''The Futz'' and ''The Clown'', for which he also |
Plays in which Powell acted include the 1964 debut of ''[[The Madness of Lady Bright]]'' by Lanford Wilson and directed by Denis Deagan, one of the early plays of the gay theater movement. Powell appeared in ''So Long at the Fair'' by Wilson, and the revivals of ''The Futz'' and ''The Clown'', for which he also made the costumes.<ref name=MasonBook/> For Wilson's one-act play ''[[Home Free!]]'' at the Cino, Powell originated the lead role of "Lawrence" alongside [[Joanna Miles]] in the other central role, and under the direction of Neil Flanagan.<ref>{{cite web |title=How We Looked |url=https://caffecino.wordpress.com/1911/01/01/how-we-looked/haf2-2/ |website=Caffe Cino|date=14 November 2008 }}</ref> |
||
When ''[[Home Free!]]'' was offered a production as part of the New Playwright Series at the Off-Broadway [[Cherry Lane Theatre]], Powell again co-starred with Miles, but this time |
When ''[[Home Free!]]'' was offered a production as part of the New Playwright Series at the Off-Broadway [[Cherry Lane Theatre]], Powell again co-starred with Miles, but this time directed by another Caffe Cino regular, [[Marshall W. Mason]]. For the Cherry Lane production, Powell designed and constructed an eye-catching set and props.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archive 1960s |url=https://www.cherrylanetheatre.org/archive1960s |website=CherryLaneTheatre.org |accessdate=August 28, 2020}}</ref> The play, which was on a bill with [[Sam Shepard]]’s ''Up to Thursday'' and [[Paul Foster (playwright)|Paul Foster]]’s ''Balls'', opened in February 1965.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bottoms |first1=Stephen |title=Playing Underground: A Critical History of the 1960s Off-Off Broadway Movement |date=2004 |publisher=University of Michigan Press |location=Ann Arbor |isbn=0-472-11400-X}}</ref> It launched Wilson's career. ''[[Home Free!]]'' later toured to England, Powell reprising his role, now with Claris Nelson as his co-star.<ref>{{cite web |title=Claris Nelson |date=14 November 2008 |url=https://caffecino.wordpress.com/1941/01/01/claris-nelson-and-marshall-mason/uk2022072/ |publisher=Caffe Cino Blog |accessdate=August 28, 2020}}</ref> |
||
After the founding in 1969 of the Circle Theater Company, later to become [[Circle Repertory Company]] or simply Circle Rep, Powell became closely involved as an actor and designer, |
After the founding in 1969 of the Circle Theater Company, later to become [[Circle Repertory Company]] or simply Circle Rep, Powell became closely involved as an actor and designer, helping to develop new plays.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Ryzuk |first1=Mary |title=The Circle Repertory Company: The First Fifteen Years |date=1989 |publisher=Iowa State University Press |isbn=9780813800295}}</ref> He also branched out to other theaters, including [[La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club|La Mama]], Stage 73 and Theatre of the Eye Repertory Company.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lortel Off Broadway Database |url=http://www.iobdb.com/CreditableEntity/8792}}</ref> In 1990, he took on the original role of Uncle Fred in the Circle Rep premiere of ''[[Prelude to a Kiss (play)]]'' by [[Craig Lucas]]. The production, with [[Alec Baldwin]] and [[Mary-Louise Parker]], was directed by [[Norman René]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rich |first1=Frank |title=Review/Theater; 'Prelude to a Kiss,' a Fairy Tale of Souls in Love and in Flight |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/15/theater/review-theater-prelude-to-a-kiss-a-fairy-tale-of-souls-in-love-and-in-flight.html |accessdate=August 5, 2020 |issue=March 15, 199p |work=New York Times|date=15 March 1990 }}</ref> He also made TV appearances, including in the TV movies ''[[Kennedy's Children]]'' and ''[[Isn't It Shocking?]]'' |
||
==Stage director== |
==Stage director== |
||
Line 33: | Line 33: | ||
Powell began directing, as well. In 1987 he directed the revival of [[William M. Hoffman]]’s ''[[As Is (play)]]'' at Circle Rep, a production for which he also co-designed the costumes with Susan Lyall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Walter |title=Stage: Circle Rep's Revival of 'As Is' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/27/theater/stage-circle-rep-s-revival-of-as-is.html |accessdate=August 5, 2020 |work=New York Times |date=April 27, 1987}}</ref> In 1991, he directed ''The Balcony Scene'' by [[Wil Calhoun]] at Circle Rep with [[Cynthia Nixon]] in one of the roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archives |url=http://www.iobdb.com/Production/1067 |website=Lortel Off Broadway Database |accessdate=August 28, 2020}}</ref> |
Powell began directing, as well. In 1987 he directed the revival of [[William M. Hoffman]]’s ''[[As Is (play)]]'' at Circle Rep, a production for which he also co-designed the costumes with Susan Lyall.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Goodman |first1=Walter |title=Stage: Circle Rep's Revival of 'As Is' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/04/27/theater/stage-circle-rep-s-revival-of-as-is.html |accessdate=August 5, 2020 |work=New York Times |date=April 27, 1987}}</ref> In 1991, he directed ''The Balcony Scene'' by [[Wil Calhoun]] at Circle Rep with [[Cynthia Nixon]] in one of the roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archives |url=http://www.iobdb.com/Production/1067 |website=Lortel Off Broadway Database |accessdate=August 28, 2020}}</ref> |
||
Over the years, Powell took on directing assignments at many venues, including |
Over the years, Powell took on directing assignments at many venues, including at [[INTAR Theatre]], [[Magic Theatre]], [[Last Frontier Theatre Conference]], Wings Theater, Blue Heron Art Center and [[chashama]] in New York, and others. In the late 1990s, he directed plays at the [[Cape Cod Theatre Project]], including works by Carter W. Lewis, [[Lanford Wilson]] and Clark Middleton.<ref>{{cite web |title=Archives |url=http://www.capecodtheatreproject.org/history/ |website=Cape Cod Theatre Project |accessdate=August 28, 2020}}</ref> |
||
==Artistic director== |
==Artistic director== |
||
In 1985, Powell was named the artistic director of The Lab at Circle Rep. The Lab offered opportunities for writers to shape and develop their work in readings and performances. The Lab "was perhaps the most vibrant element of the theater .... At its peak, The Lab was training ground for more than 300 participants," according to Circle Rep co-founder [[Marshall W. Mason]].<ref name=MasonBook/> Powell worked with American playwrights including Terrence McNally, Paula Vogel, Craig Lucas and Lanford Wilson. He was the artistic director of The Lab until Circle Rep closed in 1996. |
In 1985, Powell was named the artistic director of The Lab at Circle Rep. The Lab offered opportunities for writers to shape and develop their work in readings and performances. The Lab "was perhaps the most vibrant element of the theater .... At its peak, The Lab was training ground for more than 300 participants," according to Circle Rep co-founder [[Marshall W. Mason]].<ref name=MasonBook/> Powell worked with American playwrights including [[Terrence McNally]], [[Paula Vogel]], [[Craig Lucas]] and Lanford Wilson. He was the artistic director of The Lab until Circle Rep closed in 1996. |
||
When Circle Rep closed, Powell formed and became the artistic director of the Lab Theater Company, which later became Circle East Theater Company. The company continued the work of The Lab at Circle Rep by developing and producing new plays.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Gelder |first1=Lawrence |title=Theater Review: Six Windows to the Soul, Some Blurred |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/20/movies/theater-review-six-windows-to-the-soul-some-blurred.html |accessdate=August 8, 2020 |work=New York Times |date=June 20, 2003}}</ref> Circle East continued until Powell’s death in 2016. |
When Circle Rep closed, Powell formed and became the artistic director of the Lab Theater Company, which later became Circle East Theater Company. The company continued the work of The Lab at Circle Rep by developing and producing new plays.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Van Gelder |first1=Lawrence |title=Theater Review: Six Windows to the Soul, Some Blurred |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/20/movies/theater-review-six-windows-to-the-soul-some-blurred.html |accessdate=August 8, 2020 |work=New York Times |date=June 20, 2003}}</ref> Circle East continued until Powell’s death in 2016. |
||
Line 47: | Line 47: | ||
From 1995 to 2000, Powell was a Professor of Theater on the Directing Faculty at [[Rutgers University]] in New Jersey. |
From 1995 to 2000, Powell was a Professor of Theater on the Directing Faculty at [[Rutgers University]] in New Jersey. |
||
After Powell's death in 2016, Circle East members formed the New Circle Theatre Company, operating out of the Michael Warren Powell Community Center in Powell's former home in Midtown Manhattan.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Circle Theatre Company Re-Emerges With 3rd Inferno Project |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/New-Circle-Theatre-Company-Re-Emerges-With-3rd-Inferno-Project-20190517 |website=Broadway World |accessdate=September 2, 2020}}</ref> |
|||
== References == |
== References == |
||
Line 61: | Line 59: | ||
[[Category:Rutgers University faculty]] |
[[Category:Rutgers University faculty]] |
||
[[Category:American theatre directors]] |
[[Category:American theatre directors]] |
||
{{Improve categories|date=November 2020}} |
Latest revision as of 15:18, 7 August 2024
Michael Warren Powell | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | July 17, 2016 | (aged 79)
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Theater: Artistic director, director, actor, designer |
Years active | 1960s–2016 |
Known for | The Lab, Circle Rep 1985-1996 |
Michael Warren Powell (January 22, 1937 – July 17, 2016) was an American artistic director, director, actor and designer involved in the Off-Off-Broadway movement, Off-Broadway and in the development of new American plays.
Early career
[edit]Originally from Martinsville, Virginia, Powell attended the Goodman Memorial Theater School at the Art Institute of Chicago. In the early 1960s, he moved to New York City with his friend, Lanford Wilson, both aspiring theater artists. The two lived together and formed a personal and professional partnership that lasted for many years.[1]
In New York, Powell worked as a design assistant for a home decorator, Leona Kahn, and became involved with the Caffe Cino as an actor and designer.[2]
Actor and designer
[edit]Powell acted in several productions at the Caffe Cino, the coffeehouse theater in the West Village that was founded by Joe Cino and is often described as the birthplace of Off-Off-Broadway.[3]
Plays in which Powell acted include the 1964 debut of The Madness of Lady Bright by Lanford Wilson and directed by Denis Deagan, one of the early plays of the gay theater movement. Powell appeared in So Long at the Fair by Wilson, and the revivals of The Futz and The Clown, for which he also made the costumes.[2] For Wilson's one-act play Home Free! at the Cino, Powell originated the lead role of "Lawrence" alongside Joanna Miles in the other central role, and under the direction of Neil Flanagan.[4]
When Home Free! was offered a production as part of the New Playwright Series at the Off-Broadway Cherry Lane Theatre, Powell again co-starred with Miles, but this time directed by another Caffe Cino regular, Marshall W. Mason. For the Cherry Lane production, Powell designed and constructed an eye-catching set and props.[5] The play, which was on a bill with Sam Shepard’s Up to Thursday and Paul Foster’s Balls, opened in February 1965.[6] It launched Wilson's career. Home Free! later toured to England, Powell reprising his role, now with Claris Nelson as his co-star.[7]
After the founding in 1969 of the Circle Theater Company, later to become Circle Repertory Company or simply Circle Rep, Powell became closely involved as an actor and designer, helping to develop new plays.[8] He also branched out to other theaters, including La Mama, Stage 73 and Theatre of the Eye Repertory Company.[9] In 1990, he took on the original role of Uncle Fred in the Circle Rep premiere of Prelude to a Kiss (play) by Craig Lucas. The production, with Alec Baldwin and Mary-Louise Parker, was directed by Norman René.[10] He also made TV appearances, including in the TV movies Kennedy's Children and Isn't It Shocking?
Stage director
[edit]Powell began directing, as well. In 1987 he directed the revival of William M. Hoffman’s As Is (play) at Circle Rep, a production for which he also co-designed the costumes with Susan Lyall.[11] In 1991, he directed The Balcony Scene by Wil Calhoun at Circle Rep with Cynthia Nixon in one of the roles.[12]
Over the years, Powell took on directing assignments at many venues, including at INTAR Theatre, Magic Theatre, Last Frontier Theatre Conference, Wings Theater, Blue Heron Art Center and chashama in New York, and others. In the late 1990s, he directed plays at the Cape Cod Theatre Project, including works by Carter W. Lewis, Lanford Wilson and Clark Middleton.[13]
Artistic director
[edit]In 1985, Powell was named the artistic director of The Lab at Circle Rep. The Lab offered opportunities for writers to shape and develop their work in readings and performances. The Lab "was perhaps the most vibrant element of the theater .... At its peak, The Lab was training ground for more than 300 participants," according to Circle Rep co-founder Marshall W. Mason.[2] Powell worked with American playwrights including Terrence McNally, Paula Vogel, Craig Lucas and Lanford Wilson. He was the artistic director of The Lab until Circle Rep closed in 1996.
When Circle Rep closed, Powell formed and became the artistic director of the Lab Theater Company, which later became Circle East Theater Company. The company continued the work of The Lab at Circle Rep by developing and producing new plays.[14] Circle East continued until Powell’s death in 2016.
Beginning in 1995, Powell established The Play Lab at the Last Frontier Theatre Conference, a summer festival in Alaska, originally known as the Edward Albee Theatre Conference. It worked with playwrights to develop their plays and present readings. At the outset, it worked with six Alaskan writers.[15] By 1999, the conference was holding workshops for 54 playwrights from 35 states.[16]
Powell also became the artistic director of the School of Theater of the New York State Summer School of the Arts, a program that nurtures young theater artists chosen from across the state.[17]
Other
[edit]From 1995 to 2000, Powell was a Professor of Theater on the Directing Faculty at Rutgers University in New Jersey.
References
[edit]- ^ Porter, Beth (March 25, 2011). "Lanford Wilson Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
- ^ a b c Mason, Marshall (April 13, 2018). The Transcendent Years: Circle Rep Theater & the 60s. Goodreads Press. ISBN 978-1632920539.
- ^ McElroy, Steven (December 7, 2001). "Portal to Off Off Broadway's Early Days". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ "How We Looked". Caffe Cino. 14 November 2008.
- ^ "Archive 1960s". CherryLaneTheatre.org. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ Bottoms, Stephen (2004). Playing Underground: A Critical History of the 1960s Off-Off Broadway Movement. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-11400-X.
- ^ "Claris Nelson". Caffe Cino Blog. 14 November 2008. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ Ryzuk, Mary (1989). The Circle Repertory Company: The First Fifteen Years. Iowa State University Press. ISBN 9780813800295.
- ^ "Lortel Off Broadway Database".
- ^ Rich, Frank (15 March 1990). "Review/Theater; 'Prelude to a Kiss,' a Fairy Tale of Souls in Love and in Flight". New York Times. No. March 15, 199p. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ Goodman, Walter (April 27, 1987). "Stage: Circle Rep's Revival of 'As Is'". New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Archives". Lortel Off Broadway Database. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ "Archives". Cape Cod Theatre Project. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
- ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (June 20, 2003). "Theater Review: Six Windows to the Soul, Some Blurred". New York Times. Retrieved August 8, 2020.
- ^ Homstrom, Ron (June 22, 2017). "Last Frontier Theatre Conference celebrates 25th anniversary". Anchorage Press. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ Weber, Bruce (June 29, 1999). "Arts in America: Very Far Off Broadway but True to the Spirit; A Festival in Alaska Draws the Guiding Lights for a 40th Anniversary". New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ^ "Obituary, Michael Warren Powell". Martinsville Bulletin. July 21, 2016.