Zelda Fichandler was the Proximity Fuse of American theater, achieved by her stealthy application of timing. Her centennial birthday was celebrated at the new African Grove Theater at NYU.
At the NYU celebration, excerpts were read from two new books chronicling her legacy; The Long Revolution: Sixty Years on the Frontlines of a New American Theater edited by Todd London and To Repair the World: Zelda Fichandler and the Transformation of American Theater by Mary B. Robinson. The evening also included reenactments of Zelda’s productions, including Uncle Vanya, performed by the original cast. The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation also presented Raymond O. Caldwell with their annual Zelda Fichandler Award for his contributions to theater. The evening was directed by Associate Chair of the NYU Graduate Acting Program, Laurence Maslon. Zelda’s two sons, Hal and Mark Fichandler were in the audience.
Recognized as the “Mother of American Regional Theater”, Zelda, with her husband Thomas, were the founders of Washington DC’s Arena Stage in 1950, the capital’s first integrated theater. It stood as an outstanding example of regional theaters. Later, as head of NYU’s graduate acting program for 25 years, she shaped the careers of many of today’s leading actors, such as Rainn Wilson, Maggie Siff, and Richard Topol.
“I hear you’re dating Corey. Big Ego.” Nadia Bowers recalled being told by her mentor, Zelda, about her husband-to-be, Corey Stoll. Guests spoke about her caring nature – when auditioning for NYU’s graduate acting program 7 months pregnant, Karen Pittman recalled Zelda’s encouragement that led to her acceptance, saying “Go on, get out there. Do it. That was Zelda.” Director Tazewell Thompson remembered his days at Arena Stage with Zelda, and her determination for inclusivity, saying, “We had this idea that in every department there would be a person of color – there’d be an assistant director for every director, some were working in the scene shop for props, painting, lighting, developing – everywhere.” Award recipient Raymond O. Caldwell, described, “It was her [Zelda] sense of community, her understanding, and her care of people who make theater, theater, that stays with me today – Happy birthday Zelda. Thank you. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
Participants included Jane Alexander (Arena Stage company member), Mia Barron (NYU Graduate Acting, ’99), Vivienne Benesch (GA, ’93, Artistic Director, Playmakers), Cherise Boothe (GA, ’04), Nadia Bowers (GA, ’00), Mary Schmidt Campbell (President emerita, Spelman College), Carl Cofield (Chair, NYU Graduate Acting Program), Melissa Crespo (Allen Lee Hughes FEllow, ’04), Randy Danson (Arena Stage company member), Angel Desai (GA, ’97), Adam Green (GA, ’04), Allyson Green (Dean, Tisch School of the Arts), Deborah Hecht (Graduate Acting faculty), Tom Hewitt (Arena Stage company member), Allen Lee Hughes (Design for Stage and Film faculty), Charles Janasz (Arena Stage company member), Patricia McGregor (Artistic Director, NYTW), Laura Penn (Executive Director, SDC), Bill Rauch (Artistic Director, PAC), Lisa Rothe, (GA, ’95), Gareth Saxe (GA, ’99), Hana Sharif (Artistic Director, Arena Stage), Miriam Silverman (actor, Arena Stage), Tazewell Thompson (Artistic Associate, Arena Stage), Willa Taylor (Allen Lee Hughes Fellowship Director), Ron Van Lieu (Graduate Acting faculty), Victor Williams (GA, ’95), and Janet Zarish (NYU Professor and Stage Director).
More about the new books;
The Long Revolution: Sixty Years on the Frontlines of a New American Theater (Todd London) gathers sixty years of essays, speeches and manifestos by Zelda covering her philosophies on non-profit sustainability, notes from major productions she directed, and intimate portraits of artists whom she frequently worked with. To order copies, please visit https://www.ingramacademic.com/9781559369756/the-long-revolution/ or reach out to academicorders@ingramcontent.com
To Repair the World: Zelda Fichandler and the Transformation of American Theater (Mary B. Robinson) is an oral history,, which includes interviews with actors such as Dianne West, James Earl Jones, and Jane Alexander, who share their memories of Zelda. To order copies, please visit https://www.routledge.com/To-Repair-the-World-Zelda-Fichandler-and-the-Transformation-of-American-Theater/Robinson/p/book/9781032580913 or reach out to charles.regan@taylorandfrancis.com
