Ronald Rand

Ronald Rand

Ronald Rand is an American stage and film actor,[1][2] educator, director, playwright, producer, and newspaper publisher. A U.S. Cultural Goodwill Ambassador,[3] Rand has performed his one-man show, "Let It Be Art!" as Harold Clurman since 2001 in 23 countries and 20 states.[4][5][6][7]Founder and Publisher of the newspaper, The Soul of the American Actor, he is also the author of Acting Teachers of America.[8][9]

Early Life and Education

Rand was born and raised in Coral Gables, Florida, and began performing at the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in Coral Gables at age six, appearing in many children's theatre plays over ten years. Rand graduated from Coral Gables Senior High School. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, in New York City, studying with Stella Adler. Two of Rand's classmates were Bill Paxton, for whom Rand wrote monologues to perform in class, and Kate Valk. Subsequently, Rand also studied with Harold Clurman, Robert Lewis, Joseph Chaikin, with Jerzy Grotowski at Columbia University, and at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art's summer program in London. Rand began developing his one-man show in 1995, for which he is best known, called "Let It Be Art!"

Career

Rand’s odyssey as Harold Clurman began with his first performance of his play, "Let It Be Art" directed by Gregory Abels, at the Sande Shurin Theatre in New York City in 2001. Rand performed his play twice Off-Broadway, first produced by J.C. Compton, the second wife of Harold Clurman, at the Century Center Theatre under the play's previous title, Clurman, and then by the Mirror Repertory Company, at the ArcLight Theatre. Rand made his New York debut in 1978 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as a member of the cast of Julius Caesar with Richard Dreyfuss, George Rose, Austin Pendleton, René Auberjonois, and Tom Hulce.

Rand's transformation into a 79-year-old Harold Clurman in his play, Let It Be Art! comes through a two-hour transformation process in his dressing room, based on Constantin Stanislavski's Method of Physical Actions.

Rand is the first American to perform in a solo play at the International Bafa Arts Festival in Zimbabwe, Voices of History International Theatre Festival in Vologda, Russia, MerCoSur Interior Althuapua De Cioppo International Festival in Paysandú, Uruguay, Bareilly International Theatre Festival, India, Baptizer International Theatre Festival in Bangalore, India, San Vicente del Caguán Cultural Arts Center in northern Colombia, Patravadi Theatre in Bangkok, Trade Unions Palace of Culture in Minsk, Belarus, Palace Dar el-Makhzen in the Kasbah, Tangier, Morocco, and Cayman National Cultural Foundation Harquail National Theatre in the British West Indies. Rand has performed his solo play in the International Theatre Festival for Peace in Barrancabermeja, Colombia, Kathmandu International Theatre Festival in Nepal, as a Festival judge and performed in the M.E.S.S. International Theatre Festival at the Chamber 55 Theatre, and in the International Winter Festival in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Georgian International Theatre Festival in Tbilisi, Georgia, Slavija International Theatre Festival in Belgrade, Serbia, and in the Inaugural Harold Clurman Festival of Arts in New York City. Rand has completed four goodwill tours across India, performing his solo play and teaching his master acting workshop at universities and festivals including Rangayana Theatre in Mysore,[10][11] Manipal University in Jaipur, at Christ University as a Festival judge and performed in Baptizer International Theatre Festival in Bangalore, AddLife Caring Minds Wellness Centre in Kolkata, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Chilsag Chilies Acting Academy, and R.K. Film and TV Media Academy in New Delhi, Anupam Kher Actor Prepares Academy in Mumbai, University of Calicut, Pondicherry University, Sri Aurobindo Auditorium in Auroville, and appeared in Great Mind at Work, a play by the India playwright, Sachin Gupta, at L'Alliance française de Delhi, performing in Hindi, a language he does not speak.

Rand starred as Harry in LUV at The Barnstormers Theatre in Tamworth, New Hampshire, as The Stage Manager in the 75th Anniversary production of Our Town (2013), as Captain Keller in The Miracle Worker opposite Marla Schaffel (2014), and as Polonius in Hamlet opposite Nicole Ansari (2015), in Vermont at the Greensboro Arts Alliance Summer Stock Theatre in Greensboro, Vermont.[12] Rand's film appearances include opposite Yoko Ono in her film, Homeless (1989), Another You (1991), and The Jerky Boys (1995). Rand was cast by Aaron Russo as President Richard Nixon in Rude Awakening (1989), by Robert Redford in Quiz Show (1994) opposite Ralph Fiennes and Paul Scofield, and as a business magnate opposite Anjelica Huston in When in Rome. Rand appeared as Milton Sterns in A Marriage: O'Keefe and Stieglitz opposite Christopher Plummer and Jane Alexander on PBS American Playhouse.[13]Rand appeared as the Judge in a KRS-One video produced by Boogie Down Productions in 1987.

Educator

In 2013 The J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board and The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs chose Rand as a Fulbright Specialist Scholar. In 2013 he became the first Fulbright Specialist Scholar to teach at the University of Sarajevo's Academy of Dramatic Arts, University of Tuzla Academy of Dramatic Arts, Mostar Youth Theatre, and the Druga Gimnazija, an IB World School in Sarajevo.[14] In 2015, he became the first Fulbright Specialist Scholar to teach at the University of Malaya Cultural Centre Drama Department in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Rand was the first American invited by the Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, known as the Malaysian Ministry of Tourism and Culture – National Department for Culture & Arts to teach and perform at Malaysia’s JKKN State Theatres in Ipoh, Alor Setar and Kuala Terengganu. In Kuala Lumpur, Rand was invited to teach and perform at the National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy Aswara, Islamic International University Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, and to teach at the Penang Temple of Fine Arts Academy. He has brought his solo play and Art of Transformation Master Acting Workshop to 23 countries and 20 states.[15] Rand was an Adjunct Professor at Pace University, New York City, and has been a Visiting Guest Professor at Northern Illinois University, Walla Walla University, [16]Gonzaga University, Western Washington University, University of Missouri in Columbia, University of Alaska, Syracuse University, Lycoming College, Louisiana State University, University of Zagreb Academy of Dramatic Art – Croatia, Anadolu University in Eskisehir, Turkey, Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University – Tbilisi, Georgia, Belarusian State University – Minsk, Belarus, National Theatre of British West Indies - Cayman National Cultural Foundation,[17] IB World School, Sarajevo - Bosnia & Herzegovina, National School of the Arts in Johannesburg, South Africa, Auroville – India, at several community theaters across America,[18][19] and at the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency – Fairchild U.S. Air Force Base.

Publisher and Author

Rand is the Founder, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, The Soul of the American Actor,[20][21][22] the only printed and online newspaper in America dedicated to the artistic process of the actor and the art of theater.[23][24] Founded in 1998, Rand has conducted over 1000 interviews including Alec Baldwin, Katherine Dunham, Andre Gregory, Anjelica Huston, Marvin Hamlisch, Julie Harris, Bill T. Jones, Lloyd Richards, Harold Prince, Budd Schulberg, Derek Walcott, Elie Wiesel, Robert Wilson, and Eugenia Zukerman.[25] Essays have included those by Stella Adler, Edward Albee, Harold Clurman, Eugenio Barba, William Esper, Jerzy Grotowski, James Earl Jones, Laurence Luckinbill, Sanford Meisner, Arthur Miller, and Lee Strasberg.[26][27] Rand is the author of Acting Teachers of America[28] with interviews of one hundred influential acting teachers, actors, and directors in America, including Anne Bogart, Steve Buscemi, Olympia Dukakis, Zelda Fichandler, James Gandolfini, Gene Hackman, Michael Howard, William Hurt, Michael Kahn, Milton Katselas, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, Sidney Poitier, and Terry Schreiber.[29]

Director and Producer

In 2013 Rand became the 2nd U.S. director to direct in the 60 year history of the historic Chamber Theatre 55 in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina.[30][31][32] Rand, fluent only in English, directed LUV by Murray Schisgal, in Bosnian working through a translator. The production stars Zana Marjanovic, Moamer Kasumović, and Muhamed Hadzovic. He was invited by the Artistic Director at that time, Dragan Jovičić.[31][32][33][34] The production set and costumes were designed by Vanja Popovic.[35] The production continues to be performed as part of the theatre repertory, and has traveled to Montenegro, Slovenia, Croatia, and across Bosnia & Herzegovina, winning awards in state festivals.[36][37] Rand produced and co-translated the American premiere of Spanish playwright, Inigo Ramirez de Haro's most controversial play, "We Couldn't Call It What We Wanted To Call It, So We Called It Holy Crap !!" starring Stephen Mo Hanan at La MaMa, E.T.C. directed by Erica Gould in New York City in 2011.[38] Rand directed and appeared in A Meltdown from Chernobyl, The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster by Svetlana Alexievich, a dramatic adaptation by Spencer Smith with Frances Crowe, Ruth Hooke, Sister Jane Morrissey, and Jean-Claude van Itallie across northern New England at churches and meeting houses.[39][40] Rand created and moderated a Drama Desk Panel Event, The Art of Storytelling, at Sardi's Restaurant in New York City, interviewing Bertie Carvel, Jayne Houdyshell, Kristine Nielsen, and David Hyde-Pierce.[41]

References

  1. ↑ Novick, Julius (October 1, 2010). "Harold Clurman: 'The Priest of a New Kind of Theatre". Dramatics (Magazine). http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=168913&p=33: Dramatics. 82 (2): 24–31. Actor Ronald Rand impersonates Harold Clurman in a one-man touring show entitled "Let it Be Art! Harold Clurman's Life of Passion" see www.ClurmanThePlay.com
  2. ↑ "Ronald Rand stars in Let It be art at Actor's Theatre" (newspaper) (Volume 43, Issue 21). St. Simons Island, Georgia: The Islander. May 25, 2015. p. 13.
  3. ↑ Ruiz, Edlyn (March 26, 2013). "'Let it be Art'" (webpage). http://www.cayman27.com.ky/2013/03/26/let-it-be-art-2: Cayman 27. Cayman 27. ‘Let it be Art’ is a dramatic journey of humour, boldness and fervour of the man heralded as ‘the Elder Statesman of American Theatre.’
  4. ↑ Talmer, Jerry (June 16, 2004). "The Spirit of the Group Theater Evoked" (newspaper) (Volume 73, Number 7). www.//thevillager.com/villager_59/spiritofthegroupteater.html: Downtown Express.
  5. ↑ Braun, Phyliss (October 27, 2006). "Renowned Director will be Focus of Play at IT" (newspaper). Arts & Location page: Arizona Jewish Press.
  6. ↑ O'Flaherty, Dennis (November 3, 2006). "Play's Focus is a Legend of the Stage" (newspaper). Accent: Arizona Daily Star.
  7. ↑ Stadt, Judy (February 10, 2013). "The Lunch and Judy Show:A Special Interview with Ronald Rand". dcmetrotheaterArts.com (webpage). http://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2013/02/10/the-lunch-and-judy-show-a-special-interview-with-ronald-rand-by-judy-stadt/: DCMetroTheaterArts.
  8. ↑ "The Staff". www.soulamericanactor,com (webpage). http://www.soulamericanactor.com/about.shtml#staff: The Soul of the American Actor. RONALD RAND - FOUNDER, PUBLISHER & EDITOR-IN-CHIEF International Goodwill Cultural Ambassador/ Performing Artist, Mr. Rand founded this Newspaper in 1998.
  9. ↑ "Acting Teachers of America A Vital Tradition". Allworth Press (webpage). http://www.allworth.com/book/?GCOI=58115100629050: Allworth Press. 2015.
  10. ↑ "Protege dons the role of dramatist on stage" (Newspaper online). Home: District: Deccan Herald. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016. Internationally acclaimed theatre personality, Ronald Rand will perform for the first time in the city on February 20. The performance has been organised by Rangayana and Centre for Proficiency Development and Placement Services, University of Mysore.
  11. ↑ H. Janardhanaravaru, Janny (March 1, 2015). "Ronald Rand in his one man show" (website). Rangayana. Home: news:: Rangayana, Mysore, Government of Karnataka. Retrieved February 17, 2016. Mr. Ronald Rand, world known American theatre artiste, who is considered as 'International Cultural Ambassador' will be performing in Mysore on Feb 20th. The event is being jointly organised by CPDPS of University of Mysore and Rangayana.
  12. ↑ Kelley, David (May 7, 2015). "It's Showtime in Greensboro!". montpelierbridge.com (website). http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2015/05/its-showtime-in-greensboro/: The Bridge.
  13. ↑ O'Connor, John J. (July 19, 1991). "TV Weekend; The Art and the Passion of O'Keeffe and Stieglitz". The New York Times Arts (webpage). http://www.nytimes.com/1991/07/19/arts/tv-weekend-the-art-and-the-passion-of-o-keeffe-and-stieglitz.html: The New York Times.
  14. ↑ "American actor Ronald Rand - a temporary resident of Sarajevo". www.radiosarajevo.ba. Radiosarajevo. September 23, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ ""LET IT BE ART!" is an on-going inspiring Educational Presentation created & performed by International Performing Artist/Fulbright Teaching Specialist, RONALD RAND.". www.nyfa.org. New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "One-man play Oct. 1 at WWU". www.union-bulletin.com (website). http://www.union-bulletin.com/things_to_do/arts/one-man-play-oct-at-wwu/article_14c45c86-803b-11e6-8844-2b71b2c843f9.html: Union-Bulletin.com. Sept. 22, 2016. Ronald Rand, actor and Goodwill cultural ambassador, will bring his solo play, “LET IT BE ART! Harold Clurman’s Life of Passion” to the Donnie Rigby Black Box Theatre at Walla Walla University 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1. Rand was chosen by the U.S. State Department as the first Fulbright Specialist to perform and teach for six weeks in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Malaysia. He was invited by the Malaysian Ministry of Culture to perform at their state theaters across their country and has been invited to teach on the Cayman Islands. Check date values in: |access-date=, |date= (help);
  17. ↑ Staff (March 22, 2013). "'Let it be Art' set for Harquail Theatre". www.caymancompass.com (website). Cayman Compass. On 27 and 28 March, the Cayman National Cultural Foundation is presenting “Let it be Art”, the extraordinary life story of the elder statesman of the American theatre, director, drama critic, author of the The Fervent Years and cofounder of the Group Theatre, Harold Clurman as portrayed by Ronald Rand.
  18. ↑ "RONALD RAND'S ART OF TRANSFORMATION MASTER WORKSHOP". http://www.ameliaisland.com/ (website). Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. February 10, 2016. Ronald Rand’s Art of Transformation is a Master Workshop on Acting, Consciousness & Authenticity. The only workshop in the world bringing to participants Stanislavsky's "Method of Actions" Chart, presented for the past 15 years in 23 countries and 20 states, at over 75 theaters, art centers, universities and colleges across America and around the world. External link in |website= (help);
  19. ↑ Stillinger, Donna (November 6, 2015). "Workshops seek to turn actors into characters". http://www.thebrunswicknews.com/ (website). Brunswick News. The only workshop in the world bringing master teacher Constantin Stanislavsky’s “Method of Physical Actions” chart to attendees, Ronald Rand’s “The Art of Transformation” has been presented for the past 15 years in 23 countries and 20 states, at over 75 theaters, art centers, universities and colleges across America and around the world. Soon it will come to Brunswick. The workshop’s content draws from Rand’s many years of performing and teaching, and his studies with Stella Adler, Harold Clurman, Robert Lewis, Joseph Chaikin and Jerzy Grotowski. External link in |website= (help);
  20. ↑ "Drama Desk Nominating Committee & Current Members". dramadesk.org (webpage). http://www.dramadesk.org/content/nominating-committee-current-members: Drama Desk. January 1, 2015. Ronald Rand, founder/publisher/editor, Soul of the American Actor
  21. ↑ "Drama Desk Spring Panel Discussion". theatricalindex.com (webpage). http://theatricalindex.com/news/view/id/317: Theatrical Index. February 13, 2013. Ronald Rand, Drama Desk member and founder/publisher of “The Soul of the American Actor” newspaper.
  22. ↑ "Schedule for Vijay Tendulkar Festival". iaac.us.com (webpage). http://www.iaac.us/Tendulkarfestival/Ronald_rand.htm: Indo-American Arts Council. September 29, 2004.
  23. ↑ "TRU 2010 Panels & Events". www.truonline.org (website). http://www.truonline.org/2010panels.htm: TruOnline.org. February 17, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Sandy Shurin Show". www.sandeshurin.com/radio-shows (website radio show). http://communityelectric.us/radio/shurin040610.mp3: World Talk Radio. June 12, 2010. Publisher of “The Soul Of The American Actor” has written and is performing internationally “LET IT BE ART, Harold Clurman’s Life Of Passion” and has authored “Acting Teachers Of America”
  25. ↑ "Eugenia Zukerman". www.soulamericanactor.com (webpage). http://www.soulamericanactor.com/interview_music01.shtml: The Soul of the American Actor. November 1, 2014.
  26. ↑ Edward Albee (1998). "Speech To The American Council For The Arts". www.soulamericanactor.com (webpage). http://www.soulamericanactor.com/encore03.shtml: The Soul of the American Actor.
  27. ↑ Rinda Frye; James Lundstrom (November 8, 1977). "An Account of a Conversation with Jerzy Grotowski about Theatre and Paratheatre - November 8 and 9, 1977". www.soulamericanactor.com (webpape). http://www.soulamericanactor.com/encore04.shtml: The Soul of the American Actor.
  28. ↑ "Acting Teachers of America: A Vital Tradition". barnesandnoble.com (webpage). http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/acting-teachers-of-america-ronald-rand/1112310712?ean=9781581154733: Barnes and Noble.
  29. ↑ Wood, Mark Dundas (September 6, 2007). "Book Review". backstage.com (webpage). http://www.backstage.com/news/book-review_18/: Backstage. Ronald Rand—an actor, playwright, and founder of the newspaper The Soul of the American Actor—spotlights 50 prominent acting teachers in this useful reference text
  30. ↑ "Actors Chamber Theatre 55 audience promised a delight in "Ljupaf"". www.klix.ba (webpage) (in Bosnian). http://www.klix.ba/vijesti/kultura/glumci-kamernog-teatra-55-publici-obecali-pravi-uzitak-u-predstavi-ljupaf/131023052: Klix.ba. October 23, 2013. Theater Play "Ljupaf", was directed by American actor, director and professor Ronald Rand and the cast Zana Marjanovic, Mohammed and Muammar Hadžović Kasumović premiere will be staged at the Chamber Theatre 55 on Friday, 25 October, in 20 hours. Written by Murray Schisgal.
  31. 1 2 "Enjoy a Good Play: Watch 'Luv' at the Chamber Theater". SarajeoTimes.com (webpage). http://www.sarajevotimes.com/enjoy-good-play-watch-luv-chamber-theater/: Sarajevo Times. January 15, 2015.
  32. 1 2 "Popular comedy Ljupaf tonight on the stage of the Chamber Theatre 55". www.udrimuski.ba (webpage) (in Bosnian). http://www.udrimuski.ba/clanak/31978/popularna-komedija-ljupaf-vecras-na-sceni-kamernog-teatra-55: udrimuski.ba. June 18, 2015. On the stage of Chamber Theatre 55 tonight, June 18 at 20.00 hours will be performed popular comedy LJUPAF, in which the roles achieved by the remarkable young actors Muhammad Hadžović, Moamer Kasumović and Zana Marjanovic. The play LJUPAF the stage of Chamber Theatre has set an American actor, director and professor Ronald Rand. Premiered in October 2013, and so far has already toured not only in Bosnia-Herzegovina, but also in theaters in the region, where it is the critics and warmly accepted.
  33. ↑ "LUV - Sarajevo - Free Admission". http://www.kamerniteatar55.ba/ (website). http://www.kamerniteatar55.ba/predstave/predstava/ljupaf-dani-kantona-sarajevo-ulaz-besplatan/: Kamerniteatar 55. September 30, 2013. External link in |website= (help);
  34. ↑ "Sixty Years of Chamber Theater 55". Destination Sarajevo (webpage). http://sarajevo.travel/en/text/sixty-years-of-chamber-theater-55/169: Sarajevo Travel. 2005.
  35. ↑ MESS Festival (October 4, 2013). "Vanja Popović Awarded with the Golden Laurel Wreath for Contribution to Theater". SarajevoTimes.com (webpage). http://www.sarajevotimes.com/vanja-popovic-awarded-with-the-golden-laurel-wreath-for-the-contribution-to-the-theater/: Sarajevo Times.
  36. ↑ "The Award Winning "Ljupaf" on the Home Scene". www.radiosarajevo.ba (webpage) (in Bosnian). http://www.radiosarajevo.ba/novost/155573/nagradena-predstava-ljupaf-na-maticnoj-sceni: RadioSarajevo.ba. June 18, 2014. The audience will be on the home scene tomorrow, 19 June at 20.00 will be able to watch the play of Chamber Theatre 55 "Ljupaf", directed by Ronald Rand's American director, actor and teacher, in which the great roles accomplish Muhammad Hadžović, Moamer Kasumović and Zana Marjanovic by the recently completed 33rd Theatre Festival in Jajce jury awarded for the role of Ellen in the eponymous play. The show LJUPAF by the stage of Chamber Theatre by American actor, director and professor Ronald Rand premiered in October 2013, and so far has already toured not only in Bosnia-Herzegovina but in the theaters in the region, where it was criticized and the audience warmly accepted.
  37. ↑ "Over the weekend performed two shows". www.rtvze.ba (webpage) (in Croatian). http://rtvze.ba/tokom-vikenda-izvvedene-dvije-predstave/: Radio Television Zenica. April 6, 2015. The play "Ljupaf", Chamber Theatre 55 from Sarajevo was played on Saturday evening in the Bosnian National Theatre in Zenica part proljeća. Klasičnu Broadway comedy Murray Šizgala from the sixties, to the scene of the Sarajevo theater set American director Ronald Rand. Priča it is let down on life expectations and an unusual love triangle in which, after many vicissitudes and temptations, things bring into place a true love puts a deserved pijedestal. Hit comedy Chamber Theatre 55 is unmasked Zenica audience and earned applause at the end of the show garnered acting trio, Moamer Kasumović Zana Marjanovic and Mohammed Hadžović.
  38. ↑ "La MaMa Presents HOLY CRAP !! April 28-May 15". http://www.broadwayworld.com/ (website). www.broadwayworld.com. April 20, 2011. Europe's Most Controversial Play Makes U.S. Premiere, La MaMa Presents a Ronald Rand Production "We Couldn't Call It What We Wanted to Call It, So We Called It Holy Crap !!" Starring Tony Award nominee Stephen Mo Hanan, April 28 - May 15 at La MaMa. "It bowled me over! Inigo Ramirez de Haro is Arrabal, Artaud, and Lorca rolled into one." – John Guare. After acclaimed productions in Madrid, Mexico City, Paris, and Lisbon as well as generating almost unprecedented controversy External link in |website= (help);
  39. ↑ Jacobs, Leonard (July 15, 2009). "What If Chernobyl Happened in America? New Documentary-Theater Piece Investigates". www.clydefitchreport.com. clydefitchreport.com. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  40. ↑ Schaktman, Harvey (July 25, 2009). "Meltdown- Voices from Chernobyl". www.earththrives.com. Earth Thrives. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Caricatures, Flying Coffee Cups, and Schadenfreude on Broadway".
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/22/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.