A Real Pain

"Thom Pain (based on nothing)," directed by Professor Krstansky, was named one of the top 10 theater productions in 2006 by the Boston Globe.

Adrianne Krstansky

Assistant Professor of Theater Arts
M.F.A., University of California-San Diego

Current research
I recently directed a production of “Bad Dates at Shakespeare and Company,” which was written by Theresa Rebeck, M.A. ’83, M.F.A. ’86, Ph.D. ’89. I will be playing Carol in the feature film “The Company Men,” directed by John Wells, starring Ben Affleck and Tommy Lee Jones and performing in “2.5 Minute Ride” by Lisa Kron at the New Repertory Theater. I am also working on a stage adaptation of Virginia Woolf's collection of short stories, “Monday or Tuesday,” in collaboration with Becky Webber and Alicia Hyland. 

Favorite classroom experience
Watching the students in the Collaborative Process class come to grips with how limitation and problem are the core of creativity. Watching a student who has never acted before lose herself in another person during a scene — and walk away from it knowing something about herself that she had never known before.

What makes Brandeis special
The students who know how to learn, know how to tell the truth and who are tremendously supportive of one another.  I work with a group of people who inspire me on a daily basis. I feel valued and supported here as a teacher, actor and director, and could not do the work that I am doing now without the support of this university.

Last book read for pleasure
"Anything" by Raymond Carver.

Favorite world city to visit
I am terrified to fly, but previously spent time in Rome and the small villages in southern Italy, where I have family. I found there a way of life that fully embraces both joy and sorrow. They take the time to eat, sleep and be with family. Work is only a part of their life; it does not define who they are. Their homes are like works of art — everything seems creative. When I think of beauty, I think of Italy.