Plainfield, Vt.— Part of the University of Southern California (USC) dramatic arts program is coming to Goddard College’s Haybarn Theatre for the summer.
Goddard is partnering with actor and teacher David Warshofsky [pictured left] of the School of Dramatic Arts at USC to bring artists-in-residence to the Plainfield campus for the new Haybarn Summer Theatre Ensemble (HaSTE).
The partnership is a part of the Goddard Arts Initiative, a committee of local artists, Goddard alumni and area community members who intend to bring big names and performances to Central Vermont via the Goddard College campus.
“Goddard is pleased to partner with these distinguished actors from University of Southern California and elsewhere, and to bring this level of talent to the central Vermont area,” said Goddard College President Dr. Barbara Vacarr. “Goddard has long served as an incubator for the performing and creative arts, with distinguished alumni including Paul Zaloom, David Mamet, William H. Macy and members of Phish. Our campus offers the perfect summer retreat for developing artistic works.”
Created by Goddard, Warshofsky, and his wife, Kristina Lear [pictured right], HaSTE will begin with a one-week workshop of Body Politic, a play by Jessica Goldberg. At the end of the workshop, there will be a staged public reading on Saturday, July 13 at 8pm at the Haybarn Theatre.
Warshofsky and Lear are from Los Angeles where they collectively have more than fifty years of experience as working artists.
Lear, who grew up in Montpelier, is the daughter of Tamar Cole of Montpelier and the late Goddard alumnus Richard Lear (BA ’68). Lear played the lead role of Wendy Hoffman in the world premiere of the play at The Echo Theater Company in Los Angeles.
Warshofsky is the head MFA acting teacher at University of Southern California’s School of Dramatic Arts. During the workshop, he will bring two recent graduates of the USC program, as well as guest artist and Julliard alumnus Michael Chernus to the Goddard Campus.
Playwright Jessica Goldberg is an NYU and Julliard graduate and has had her plays produced at the Atlantic Theater Company and Playwrights Horizons (Refuge), to name a few. She is currently writing for the hit NBC drama Parenthood.
“The Haybarn Summer Theatre Ensemble, or HaSTE, is inspired by The Chatauqua Theater Company, New York Stage and Film, Sundance, and the Ojai and O’Neill Playwright Conferences,” said Lear. “We are looking forward to future expansion into full productions, classes, professional workshops and even integrating with independent film development here in Vermont.”
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About Goddard College
Initially founded in 1863 as the Goddard Seminary in Barre, Vt., Goddard College moved to its current Plainfield campus and was chartered in 1938 by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard became the first U.S. college to offer low-residency adult degree programs. Now offering accredited MA, MFA, BA and BFA degree programs from the main campus in Plainfield, Vermont and sites in Seattle and Port Townsend, Washington, Goddard’s low-residency education model offers the best of on-campus and distance education, with experienced faculty advisors, rigorous on-campus residencies, and the freedom to study from anywhere.
Contact
Lauren Moye, Chief Advancement Officer
802.322.1732, lauren.moye@goddard.edu
PHOTOS available upon request
