Moving on Up Potomac Theatre Project Braves the Big Apple

Author: Andrew Throdahl

Every year, New York City heralds flocks of young thespians to its five boroughs. It goes without saying that the ultimate sign of an established theater actor is success in Manhattan, making NYC a young actor's highest priority. This past summer, the Potomac Theater Project, which enables young Middlebury theater students to collaborate with professionals before a major audience, moved from Washington D.C. to the Big Apple, giving the students a head start in a city notorious to artists worldwide.

"Being seen in New York is the hardest obstacle for any actor to overcome," says MacLeod Andrews '07.5, who acted with the company this past summer, "and PTP is a fantastic Show Case for Middlebury-bred talent."

Andrews, William Army '07, Megan Byrne '96.5, Caitlin Dennis '07, Chris Duva '91, Lucas Kavner '06.5, Julia Proctor '06.5, former visitin Professor of Theater Peter Schmitz, Alec Strum '08, Sally Swallow '07 and visiting assistant Professor of Theater Alex Draper '88 acted this year. A record 27 College students, alumni and faculty, including design and production assistants Franny Bohar '08, Kristen Deane '06, Andrew Dickey '98, Aaron Gensler '08, Catherine Vigne '07 and Hallie Zieselman comprised PTP. The transition from college to career remains rocky for most art majors. These students had a glimpse into the theater world the same way an economics major might experience the finance world in an internship at a consulting firm.

When asked how many acting students end up acting professionally, Richard Romagnoli, Professor of Theater, said, "Many have remained in Washington D.C., or gone to Chicago, Minneapolis and L.A. Some have become producers, directors, or create for television and film. Suffice it to say, that there are Potomac Theater Project alumni in all the cities I've mentioned who are working as artists, administrators or educators. Some have started their own theater companies." The scope of Middlebury theater alumni corroborates the importance of PTP to theater majors and theater alumni alike.

Zieselman, a bona fide New Yorker, supported the move from Washington: "While I was apprehensive about losing the campus feel of the Olney Theater Center in Washington, the artistic energy in New York quickly dismissed my fears."

PTP has been in existence since 1987, allowing over 200 Middlebury students to perform in leading venues. The PTP performed at the Olney Theater in Washington since its foundation until this past summer when they moved to the Atlantic Theater in downtown Manhattan, with the help of Christian Parker '93, the Atlantic's literary manager and associate artistic director. Zieselman, the theater department's Associate Technical Director and Resident Designer, helped in organizing the logistics of the move.

Professors of Theater and PTP Founders Romagnoli and Cheryl Faraone decided to pack their bags primarily because of New York's lucrative nature to the theater world. "With so much on the line, the experience is edgier, the risks for the artists (and producers) much greater," wrote Romagnoli in an Email. "The producers of PTP decided that these important factors would enrich the students' experience and give them a very accurate view of the industry and art at the highest level."

In the past, many New York-based PTP artists had difficulty making it to Washington. Generally, theater alumni rush to make it in New York, finding themselves unable to leave the city, especially in the summer.

"The move to New York has changed all that," Romagnoli affirms. "The casts of all the shows were made up of, almost exclusively, Middlebury professionals and current students."

Familiar to those who saw last year's spring theater extravaganza "Cabaret," Army sees PTP as crucial to his development as an artist. "I have worked with the Potomac Theater Project for the past three years. It has been a truly enriching experience, for I have had the opportunity to experience theater both onstage and backstage in New York and Washington D.C.," he said. "As I embark on a career in the professional theater, PTP reminds me how proud and grateful I am to belong to such a unique and supportive artistic family."

Faraone and Romagnoli directed this past season's two productions: "Politics of Passion: the Plays of Anthony Minghella" and Howard Barker's "No End of Blame: Scenes of Overcoming." "No End of Blame" dealt with the political consequences of artistic expression, while Minghella's three miniatures "Hang Up," "Truly, Madly, Deeply" and "Connections" explored relationships on an intimate scale. Film connoisseurs might recognize Minghella from such films as "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain." These two contrasting productions gave the students an opportunity to display their range before the full New York audiences.

"Audience response was generally extremely positive," wrote Faraone, "as was the critical response. We expect, and invite, discussion and even controversy. Our material is selected to provoke thought, to be 'theater which makes you think and makes you feel.'"

In addition to the main stage productions, PTP offered four late-night experimental pieces in early July, advertised as an "After Dark" series. These productions provided an outlet for the students' original work and invited a broader audience to experience PTP free of charge.

After the success of the move to Gotham, Potomac Theater Project's directors are thinking of further evolutions in the company. Romagnoli plans to integrate Middlebury students as much as a possible: "Next season the company is looking to rehearse, for at least the first two weeks, on campus. This would mean that the New York actors would be housed along with the students on or just off the central campus; its logistically a little difficult but the rewards are so great."

Faraone also looks forward to attracting more attention to the theater department itself and more students to the program.

"In the past, our presence in Washington drew attention to Middlebury's program. We can only hope for more of the same with the more central New York City location and the increased presence of Middlebury alumni in the company."