Enter Knight, Stage Left: David Hare Visits Drama
David Hare, influential English playwright, comes to The New School as this year’s
Artist-in-Residence. Photo by Daniel Farhi, 2010.
Meet David Hare, a BAFTA-winning playwright and director, one of the Sunday Times’ most influential Britons in the past 50 years, and a knight recognized for his contributions to drama. And when we say meet him, we mean meet him in person. Next month, Hare will bring his perspective on theater and politics to The New School for Drama as the 2012 Artist-in-Residence.
Since his theater debut in the 1970s, Hare has been praised by the public and critics alike for the politically engaged subject matter of his plays, tackling such topics as the Israel-Palestine conflict to the nationalization of British railways. “David’s elegant, forceful marriage of political and artistic discourse makes him a perfect fit for The New School,” says Drama director Pippin Parker. “His career is an inspiration to our students, faculty, and the wider artistic community, and his residency will give our community the opportunity to learn with a legend.”
Based at Drama’s Westbeth studios, Hare will lead master classes and meet individually with student playwrights. He will also take part a Town Hall meeting moderated by noted playwright and Drama faculty member, Jon Robin Baitz on Thursday, November 15, at 8:00 p.m. in The New School for Drama Theater at 151 Bank Street, 3rd floor.
Hare is author of 28 plays for the stage, 16 of which have been presented at the Royal National Theatre. He was awarded the BAFTA Award in 1979 (Best Single Play) for Licking Hitler, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award (Best Foreign Play) in 1983 for Plenty, the Berlin Film Festival Golden Bear in 1985 for Wetherby, the Laurence Olivier Award in 1990 for Best New Play for Racing Demon, the London Theatre Critics’ Award in 1990 for Best Play for Racing Demon, and the Drama Desk Award (Outstanding One-Person Show) in 1999 for Via Dolorosa.
The New School for Drama’s Artist-in-Residence program has welcomed some of theater’s most influential performers, including Kathleen Chalfant (2011–2012), Joe Mantello (2010–2011), and Jon Robin Baitz (2009–2010). “The Artist-in-Residence program offers students those influential, ‘once-in-a-life-time’ learning opportunities from some of them most recognized and respected names in the industry,” said Parker. “We’re all looking forward to some exciting exchanges with David.”
Can’t wait for November for a dose of drama? Drama’s annual New Visions directing festival features works performed and directed by this year’s graduating class.