The O’Neill’s New Speaker Series,
ÏArtists at The O’Neill,Ó
Debuts With New Haven’s New Artistic Directors

James Bundy, Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre, and
Gordon Edelstein, Artistic Director of Long Wharf Theatre, Speak With
Howard Sherman And Southeastern Connecticut Theatergoers Nov. 18

Waterford, CT, October 28, 2002 – The O’Neill Theater Center will provide Southeastern Connecticut theatergoers with the opportunity to meet New Haven’s two new artistic directors, James Bundy of Yale Repertory Theatre and Gordon Edelstein of Long Wharf Theatre, as part of its new speaker series, ÏArtists at The O’Neill.Ó The public forum will be moderated by O’Neill Executive Director Howard Sherman and take place on Monday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. No reservations are necessary; the event is free and open to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Supported by the Bodenwein Public Benevolent Foundation, ÏArtists at The O’NeillÓ will bring several top theater and performing arts professionals to The O’Neill during the fall, winter and spring for a series of public forums. In the past, The O’Neill has presented speakers during its summer conferences and at the Eugene O’Neill Celebration.

Describing the opportunity, Sherman said, ÏThe O’Neill’s ability to create supportive theater communities at our summer conferences is recognized by theater professionals nationally and internationally. ‘Artists at The O’Neill’ provides the local community with year-round access to the people shaping theater today.Ó

Guest speaker James Bundy serves as Dean of the Yale School of Drama and Artistic Director of Yale Repertory Theatre. From 1998-2002, he was artistic director of Great Lakes Theater Festival in Cleveland, Ohio. Previously he was associate producing director of The Acting Company and managing director of Cornerstone Theater Company, known for its innovative, community-based productions of classic plays. In addition to his Great Lakes Theater Festival productions of THE BEAUTY QUEEN LEENANE, TRAVELS WITH MY AUNT, A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN and MACBETH, Bundy has directed at The Acting Company, California Shakespeare Festival, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the Juilliard School Drama Division.

Gordon Edelstein is Long Wharf Theatre’s fourth Artistic Director. Prior to his return to Long Wharf, where he was Associate Artistic Director from 1990-1997, he was the Artistic Director of ACT Theatre in Seattle. He has directed extensively across the country, including the production of MOURNING BECOMES ELECTRA, starring Jane Alexander, running this November and December at Long Wharf; the Broadway revival of THE HOMECOMING; and many off-Broadway productions including THE DAY THE BRONX DIED, THE LAST YANKEE and TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS. Edelstein has taught acting and directing at NYU, the University of Iowa, and Cornish College for the Arts.

Visitors seeking more information about Artists at The O’Neill or directions may call (860) 443-5378 ext.0.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, founded in 1964 and based in Waterford CT, is dedicated to the advancement of new work for the theater and creates and operates programs which complement that goal. These include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute, a college-accredited training program for theater artists. The O’Neill also hosts an annual celebration honoring the life and works of its namesake, and owns and operates the Monte Cristo Cottage, Eugene O’Neill’s childhood home.