Hiatt names nine Brandeis Theater Arts Fellows for summer 2009

Program will allow undergraduates to take part in creative internships around the world

The Hiatt Career Center is pleased to announce the selection of nine Brandeis undergraduates to pursue theater-related trainings and internships this summer under the 2009 Hiatt Theater Arts Fellows Program. Through a generous gift from the Laurie Foundation, each student will receive a $3,000 grant to support unpaid experiences that will develop critical artistic and administration skills while expanding on personal academic and career interests.

In a supportive collaboration between Hiatt and the Brandeis Theater Arts Department, these fellows were selected through a competitive application process that highlighted the extraordinary level of preparation, reflection, and motivation of Brandeis students to engage their talents in a range of activities supportive of the theater-related arts.

"The quality of the applications was very high, making our deliberations both joyous and challenging," said Joe Du Pont, director of Hiatt. "It was a real pleasure working with the Theater Arts Department on this project, and we look forward to partnering on similar opportunities in the future. The Hiatt staff will be monitoring the students' progress throughout the summer to ensure that they are meeting their goals and objectives, and having valuable experiences that allow them to explore their passion for this work."

This year, in addition to support for theater arts, Hiatt administered the World-of-Work (WOW) internship funding program which included the Louis D. Brandeis Social Justice Fellowships and the Judith Cossin Berkman ’59 Endowed Internship Fund in Social Work, and recognized partnerships with the Ethics Center’s Sorensen Fellowship, Davis Projects for Peace, Eli Segal Citizen Leadership Fellowships, and Rapaporte Foundation Internship Grants. 

Through these and other funding channels, Brandeis provided over $300,000 to support students in academic and career exploration.

Hiatt proudly presents the nine Hiatt Theater Arts Fellows:

Aaron Arbiter ‘10, Emerson Theater Collaborative, Colchester, Conn.
Aaron has been selected to direct the Emerson Theater Collaborative’s summer production, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile.” This extraordinary internship will combine hands-on directing responsibilities with supervision and instruction from experienced artists in the environment of a professional theater company.

Rachel Copel ‘11, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge, Mass.
Rachel will intensify her Brandeis Suzuki training and further her performance skills as part of the Berkshire Theatre Festival's 2009 Summer Performance Training Program.  BTF's program includes classes, supervision and the opportunity to perform in one of the professional company's summer productions.

Lauren Elias ‘10, Connecticut Free Shakespeare, Bridgeport, Conn.
Connecticut Free Shakespeare’s mission is to present free outdoor performances of The Bard’s works to a diverse audience. As an Equity Membership Candidacy program apprentice, Lauren will perform in the company's summer productions.  The program provides supervision, training, and education – an overall understanding of and involvement in theatrical production.

Zohar Fuller ’10, Experimental Theatre Foundation, Mumbai, India
Zohar’s commitment to exploring the connections between theater and social justice will take her to India to work with the Experimental Theatre Foundation, an organization dedicated to their vision of “Theatre of Relevance.” She will receive training in community research, theater techniques, and production, culminating in the creation and performance of a theatre piece in partnership with poor communities in Mumbai.

Hank Lin ‘10, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge, Mass.
The Berkshire Theatre Festival’s 2009 Summer Performance Training Program is the setting for intensive study and performance in one of the most respected summer theatres in the country. Hank will have the opportunity to train in an ensemble, learn the intricacies of production, and perform in one of the Festival’s three staged plays.

Brian Melcher ’10, Barrington Stage Company, Pittsfield, Mass.
Brian will expand his knowledge of and interest in carpentry and design this summer in the Barrington Stage Company’s scene shop. He will serve as the sole carpentry intern through the theater’s Professional Internship Program. The company mounts a number of productions each season on the Mainstage and Stage 2 venues, providing ample opportunity for both hands-on experience and contribution to a variety of major stage productions.

Anthony Rios ’11, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Stockbridge, Mass.
Tony has been offered a sought-after spot in the Berkshire Theatre Festival’s 2009 Summer Performance Training Program. The curriculum includes intensive study of Suzuki, a demanding Japanese actor training technique.  He will spend 12 weeks learning and working in a professional theatre environment and will perform in one of the Festival's summer productions.

Jason Simon-Birenbaum ’11, New Repertory Theatre, Watertown, Mass.
Jason will be an Educational Intern with the New Rep this summer, focusing his attention on fostering the learning of young people through the arts. Jason will write teaching materials for the company’s productions of Animal Farm and Macbeth, plan classes and workshops, and help administrate at auditions and call-backs.

Sophie Sinclair ’09, Stella Adler Studio of Acting, New York, N.Y.
Sophie has been invited to join the prestigious Stella Adler Studio’s 10-week Summer Conservatory. This intensive program provides a solid foundation and preparation in acting, including classes in Adler Technique, Voice and Speech, Scene Study, and Character.