International Guest Artist in Residence

As many of you know, we have been working for some time to confirm an extended residency in the School of Drama in the spring of 2008 with the extraordinary master actor/director and former leader of the Globe Theatre, Mark Rylance in a play development project. The notion is that Mark will be joined by his key collaborators, the former “master of the play” with the Globe, director Tim Carroll and music director/composer Claire Rylance.

When performing in Pittsburgh in 2002 Mark Rylance visited Clayton, the local museum in Point Breeze, which is the restored home of Henry Clay Frick. He became fascinated by the complex and troubled relationship between Henry Clay Frick and Andrew Carnegie – a relationship that Mark Rylance describes as “one of Shakespearian proportions”. Mark became convinced that the story of these two men had an enormous impact on the way we live now – creating the basis for runaway capitalism on a global scale, but also bringing about the birth of philanthropy. 2008 marks the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the founding of Pittsburgh. Mark originally hoped to have the piece ready for professional production with a premiere in Pittsburgh next year. However things have moved more slowly and we are the beneficiaries of the need for a more extended development process.

The project now entitled “The Divine Comedy of Carnegie, Frick and Goldman Incorporated”, was given a previous workshop at the Royal National Theatre. Mark has taken over the shaping of the material, and plans eventually to play Frick. If all goes well, there will be a fully mounted professional production in the 08/09 season, and subsequent international tour. The School of Drama will be credited as contributing the creation of this new work.

The goal of our guests’ time in the drama school is to explore the possibilities of the text with a company of actors. The style is essentially that of Brecht cabaret, and music and song will be important elements. Mark will perform in the piece as a kind of interlocutor – and actors will move through many different roles.

We are not sure exactly when the residency will begin. Mark is playing the title role in Peer Gynt at the Guthrie Theatre in a run that ends March 2^nd. But the essential plan is to have dedicated time during the month of April. Afternoon and evening rehearsals will be held. A presentation of four performances in the Chosky and possibly a single off site outing will conclude the residency.

Actors who are cast in the Commedia project, and therefore not available for The Divine Comedy will have the opportunity to participate in master class and workshop sessions in the playing of Shakespeare that Mark and Tim have graciously agreed to offer. In so far as we can, we will work to have this extraordinary opportunity impact as many students in the School of Drama as possible.

The only caveat is the Mark is currently appearing in a hit play in the West End. The success of this piece, a farce called Boeing Boeing is such that there are the inevitable rumors of a Broadway transfer. Mark has asked that we continue our plan for next spring however, as financing; theatre availability etc can make these ventures insecure. He has assured me that only the chance to star on Broadway would dissuade him from coming to work with us. His comments about the opportunity to work in the School follow:

“My collaborators and I are delighted to continue the development of this very specific Pittsburgh story at the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama. I am well aware of the sterling international reputation of the School and had the opportunity to work briefly with student actors during my last visit to the city. Research universities play a significant role in new work creation in many fields, and Carnegie Mellon is to be congratulated for extending this mandate to the arts. The more I read about it, the more the last 250 years of Pittsburgh's history intrigues and moves me. I hope to eventually share this history with people who live far away from where the three rivers meet. But now, the opportunity to manifest and share some of this ongoing drama of Pittsburgh people with students, advisors and friends in Pittsburgh is very, very much appreciated, particularly during such an historic year. My thanks to all who have made it possible."