Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 and American Repertory Theater at Harvard University Announce First Fellowship

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Jul 17, 2013, 10:51 ET

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Repertory Theater and The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, both at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, jointly announced today the establishment of the first ever Hasty Pudding Fellowship at the A.R.T. In creating the position and the fellowship, the A.R.T and The Hasty Pudding aim to cultivate the next generation of theater professionals through total immersion in the art and business of the theater. The fellowship will be invaluable for those seeking careers in administration, production and management and will provide opportunities for the Hasty Pudding Fellows to serve and participate in virtually every department of the A.R.T. while being mentored by senior members of the Artistic Office.

The cultivation of future leaders in the performing arts is a significant priority to both organizations and a partnership in this regard was a natural step. Diane Paulus, Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theater and Tony Award winner and Andrew L. Farkas, Chairman and so-called Grand Sphinx of The Hasty Pudding Institute have worked together on artistic and philanthropic efforts in the past, including the creation of joint efforts between the A.R.T., Playwrights of New York ("PoNY") and The Hasty Pudding Institute at Farkas Hall at Harvard. The creation of the Hasty Pudding Fellowship at the A.R.T. follows that tradition and commitment.

"I couldn't be more thrilled about this new collaboration with The Hasty Pudding Institute," said Diane Paulus. "The A.R.T. artistic and producing teams work closely with many Harvard undergraduates throughout the season, many of whom are members of the Hasty Pudding. This fellowship formalizes the intersection of the A.R.T. and the Hasty Pudding by providing an opportunity for young aspiring theater producers to be nurtured by a professional theater company." The organizations also reported that the first recipient of the Hasty Pudding Fellowship is Ben Nelson (coincidentally an alumnus of The Harvard Krokodiloes, a member organization of The Hasty Pudding). "As the inaugural Fellow, Ben Nelson was an ideal choice as he has already shown a dedication to the field throughout his undergraduate studies and extracurricular activities and his recent work for Des McAnuff at LaJolla Playhouse and Stratford Festival in Canada."

About the Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770

The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770, founded at Harvard University in the late 1700s, is comprised of The Hasty Pudding Club ( the oldest college club in the United States), The Hasty Pudding Theatricals (the third oldest theatrical group in the world behind only The Comedie-Francaise and The Passion Players, having produced its 165th original, undergraduate written musical farce in 2013, "There's Something About Maui"), and The Harvard Krokodiloes, the foremost collegiate a Capella singing group in the world. The Hasty Pudding Institute's historic home is in its original building, built in 1888 at 12 Holyoke Street, which was recently materially renovated and expanded into one of Harvard's premier performing arts facilities now called Farkas Hall. Over the past two centuries The Hasty Pudding has grown into a premier performing arts organization, itself a patron of the arts and comedy, and an advocate for the satirical voice and discourse as tools for change worldwide.

The Hasty Pudding's long and illustrious history (the organization boasts 5 former U.S. Presidents as members) includes participation in momentous historical events, alumni well‐known for their contributions in all fields and domains, and recognition and elevation of achievement in the arts. Through its philanthropic support, The Hasty Pudding Institute of 1770 seeks to broaden its reach and advance its mission, so that individuals and groups around the world can aspire to and achieve success in creative work, promotion of free speech and satire, and exchange of ideas.

About the American Repertory Theater

Winner of three Tony Awards including for Best Musical Revival for its productions of Pippin (2013) and The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (2012), the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) is a leading force in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work in Cambridge and beyond. The A.R.T. is the recipient of numerous other awards including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater, the Pulitzer Prize, and many Elliot Norton and I.R.N.E. Awards. Its recent premiere production of Death and The Powers: The Robots' Opera was a 2012 Pulitzer Prize finalist.

The A.R.T. was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, who served as Artistic Director until he was succeeded by Robert Woodruff in 2002. Since becoming the Artistic Director in 2008, Diane Paulus continues to enhance the A.R.T.'s mission to expand the boundaries of theater with productions such as Pippin, The Glass Menagerie, The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, Sleep No More, Prometheus Bound, Gatz, and The Donkey Show. The A.R.T.'s club theater, OBERON, which Paulus calls a second stage for the 21st century, has become an incubator for local and emerging artists, and has also attracted national attention for its innovative programming model.

In 1987, the A.R.T. founded the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University. A two-year, five-semester M.F.A. graduate program that operates in conjunction with the Moscow Art Theater School, the Institute continues to provide world-class professional training in acting, dramaturgy and voice.

About Playwrights of New York

Founded by Sandi Farkas, Playwrights of New York (PoNY) is committed to ensuring the creation of vibrant and diverse new American plays in the center of the theater world by providing emerging playwrights with world-class artistic and financial support, as well as the professional development opportunities needed to forge stable and sustainable careers. In addition to providing support during the fellowship year, deeper and ongoing professional support is given to all PoNY fellows through partnerships with American Repertory Theater at Harvard University and Labyrinth Theater Company. Past PoNY Fellows are Carson Kreitzer, Samuel D. Hunter, Katori Hall, Tommy Smith, A. Rey Pamatmat, and, this year's Fellow, Dominique Morisseau. Kimber Lee has been selected as the 2013-14 PoNY Fellow. For more information about Playwrights of New York, please visit: www.playwrightsofnewyork.org.