Dr. Marilyn Plotkins, Chair: Dr. Marilyn Plotkins has acted, directed, and produced over 100 plays for professional and university theatre in the Greater Boston area and New York. As Director of Theatre at Suffolk University she has transformed a small interdisciplinary major into one of the university’s fastest growing departments. She has supervised student directed and written work for over twenty years, and facilitated hundreds of professional performing arts events including the American premiere of David Mamet’s The Cryptogram starring Ed Bagley, Jr. and Felicity Huffman. As Founding Director of Boston Music Theatre Project (BMTP) she has been developing professional new musicals since 1987-- several BMTP commissions have been seen in New York. She has overseen the multi-phase renovation of the 499-seat C. Walsh Theatre and the newly designed historic Modern Theatre in Boston’s Theatre District. Marilyn has served on the Performance Review Panel of Radcliffe College’s Bunting Institute, led musical theatre panels and workshops throughout North America, and published The American Repertory Theatre Reference Book: The Brustein Years for Greenwood Press. She has twice been nominated for an Outstanding Teaching Award and won both and Intercultural Initiatives Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award. She received her PhD from Tufts University, her MA from Emerson College and her BA from the University of Pittsburgh.

 

Wesley Savick, Associate Professor: Wes has served as former Artistic Director of Theatre X in Milwaukee and interim Artistic Director of the Drama League of New York’s Directors Project, Artistic Associate of Chicago’s Organic Theatre and resident guest director of the DARTS Subaru Theatre in Tokyo, Japan. He has directed or acted in over seventy professional productions; almost all new works, and has written, co-written or adapted seventeen plays, including a libretto based on the life of Liberace. Two of his plays have been nominated for Best New Play Awards from the National Theatre Critics’ Association. Wes is also the Founding Director of The National Theatre of Allston. He has taught acting, directing and dramatic theory at Suffolk University since 1999. Wes won the Outstanding Teacher Award 2007 after two previous nominations. Wes received his MFA at Boston University, his MA at Marquette University, his BA at Dartmouth College and is ABD at Northwestern University.

 

Richard Chambers, Assistant Professor/ Set Designer: One of New England’s most popular set designers for theatre, opera, and symphony orchestras with over 150 professional designs to his credit. His work includes numerous world premiers and he is noted as set designer in over a dozen published play scripts. He has been the recipient of numerous design awards such as the Elliot Norton and the Independent Reviewers of New England awards. He has made significant contributions to the renovations of the C. Walsh and the Modern Theatres, the production of student directed work, and the growth of the technical theatre and design track in the Theatre Department. He has also been an effective mentor for students interested in design and responsible for numerous internship opportunities in professional theatres for outstanding Theatre Department students. Richard is a member of United Scenic Artists, the professional union for scenic artists in America. Richard holds an MFA from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts where he received the Meir Award for design and a BA from Westfield State College. You can view more of his work or contact him at http://www.richardchambers.net/

 

Caitlin Langstaff, Assistant Professor: Caitlin co-founded Tidal Theatre Company and Tsunami Sound Waves. She lives and works as an actor and fight choreographer in New York City and also writes, directs and produces site-specific theatre.  She has created original work for the Theatre Department as well as serving as an acting, vocal, and movement coach for Department productions. She was featured in the title role in a staged reading of Howard Zinn’s Emma, a play based on the American anarchist, Emma Goldman. She is a member of the Actors Studio and Actors’ Equity Association. She teaches acting and voice & movement at Suffolk University. She holds her MFA from Marymont Manhattan College and a BFA from Brandeis University.

 

Jim Kaufman, General Manager: Jim develops opportunities for students to pursue their educational and professional goals at Suffolk, in the Theatre Department, and beyond. He also supports the University community by managing operations and programs in the Studio and C. Walsh Theatres.  Jim has worked in numerous artistic and administrative roles with Boston theatre companies to develop new work and also as a documentary film producer.  He is board co-chair of the Underground Railway Theater, in residence at the Central Square Theater in Cambridge.  He has degrees from the University of Michigan and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

 

Jim Bernhardt, Technical Supervisor: Since receiving his BA in theatre from Southern Illinois University, Jim has worked as production manager and technical director across New England. Jim is proud to have served as The Cape Playhouse’s first Production Manager and to have been the Shop Forman at Cyco Scenic LLC. Jim continues to have a strong working relationship with both companies to this day.  As Technical Supervisor, Jim oversees the technical theater staff for the University and acts as production manager for all Theatre Department productions. Jim has continued to work nationally overseeing portions of corporate events and the theater productions, most recently in Nashville and Honolulu. Jim received his MFA in Theatre Production from Boston University.

 

Wayne Chin, C. Walsh Theatre Operations Coordinator: Wayne facilitates presentations by University and guest organizations in the C. Walsh Theatre. In addition to his work as the unofficial “voice of Suffolk” at University events, Wayne recently won the poster contest for the Suffolk’s recycling campaign and was honored as “Support Staff Member of the Year” in 2006. Wayne is a graduate of Suffolk University.

 

A. Nora Long, Marketing & Special Projects Supervisor: Nora oversees all marketing and communication for the Theatre Department, and works with the Chair and General Manager to facilitate special programs and events. She is co-Artistic Director of New Exhibition Room and a founding member of the Small Theatre Alliance of Boston. Nora also occasionally teaches for the Department and advises independent studies in dramaturgy for Suffolk students. She received her MFA in Dramaturgy from the American Repertory Theatre/ Moscow Art Theatre School Institute for Advanced Theatre Training at Harvard University and her BA from Sarah Lawrence College.

 

Steven McIntosh, Technical Director: Steve is a graduate of Boston University’s Design program, with major concentrations in lighting & sound design. At Suffolk University he often designs department productions, guest lectures on the use of lighting & sound design in theatre classes, and is maintains the systems used in the C. Walsh and Studio Theatres. Steve also does freelance design work in Boston-area theatres and has been helpful in securing technical work for students interested in the field.
 

Anita Sen, Office Coordinator: Anita serves as an information resource for the Theatre Department. She manages the Chair’s schedule, supervises work-study students, and provides support for all Theatre classes, students and professors. Anita holds a dual degree in German and International Affairs from the University of New Hampshire.  She is a Fulbright Scholar where she taught English literature and conversation in Germany. In keeping with her pedagogical interests, she frequently volunteers for the Boston Public School System.

 

Andrew Butler, Front of House Associate: Andrew’s main role in the Theatre Department is to maintain the integrity of both the C. Walsh and Studio Theatres and ensure the comfort and safety of all our patrons.  Andrew is earning a BA in English at Suffolk University and will graduate in January, 2010.  He has worked for the past year as a staff assistant in the English Department, most notably with the Seminar for Freshmen program.

 

2009-2010 Guest Lecturers
Gina Beck
Jimena Bermejo-Black
Jim Bernhardt
Jen Farrell
Abbie Katz
John Kuntz
Melinda Lopez
Scott Nicholas
Carolyn Pickman
Kate Snodgrass
Andy Taylor-Blemis
Dean Vollick

 

Distinguished Scholar in Residence: Robert Brustein
Robert Brustein, former Dean of the Yale School of Drama and founding artistic director of both the Yale Repertory Theatre and the American Repertory Theatre has joined the faculty of Suffolk University’s College of Arts and Sciences as a Distinguished Scholar in Residence. In addition to the lectures and advising sessions he will teach two seminars in the Theatre Department.