MFA at Towson University
A Laboratory for the Self- Generative Artist and the Creation of New Work
Interviews by Peter Davis
Photos by Kintz
The Department of Theatre Arts at Towson University offers a re-imagined and innovative MFA in Theatre Arts. Twenty years ago, the program began with a unique vision of providing a laboratory environment for the development of the self-generative artist and the creation of new work. The retooled MFA builds upon this vision and history of achievement to serve a new generation of students in a shifting theatrical landscape.
Naoko Maeshiba, is the program’s Director. She brings her experience of having worked as a self-generative total artist, as the artistic director of a theatre company, and as an individual director and choreographer in regional and experimental theatre.
Naoko, from your perspective, what is the MFA program trying to do?
We are nurturing self-generated artists. These aren’t people who want to direct plays, or want to act in somebody else’s play, or do lighting design for shows. These are people who are interested in creating total theater, devised work sometimes, but something from scratch. Generating theater from self, that’s the big picture.
That of course involves inquiring the current prevailing system. What’s the new model? What is the new form of theater making, both process and product?
The deeper significance, for me, is that puts weight on self. So, how can you get deeper into yourself? What is originality? What does global citizenship mean? Investigating these big questions, that kind of inquiry is at the core of this program.
Why is that important?
The nature of school is that most artists choose to go big and wide…rather than going deep. Going deep, it risks being vulnerable, which to me, is where one’s true power comes from.
The MFA program is a lab, a place where our grad students can work and not worry about outside pressures or criticisms. As they develop their work we want them to ask: What’s driving you? What’s the point of this investigation?
What they want may not be transparent. The mystery is where honesty resides. It can be a scary place. It may take them time to connect with that knowledge…listening to the body…learning from the body. The body knows. It takes practice. All of your answers are in the body.
Sextant: an evening of works in progress
MFA Students showcase, six pieces, April 1-4 at 7:30 pm in the Center for the Arts MFA Lab.
WED April 1 & FRI APRIL 3 at 7:30 pm
Rachel Thomas-Levy is a theatre artist from Pittsboro, North Carolina. She worked in Asheville, North Carolina as a director and performer and is interested in developing works that explore and complicate the “personal” experience.
Project: “Host-ess” is a solo, interactive performance exploring memory, object, and story in the context of party-throwing.
Rachel, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
Before the program I hadn’t fully accepted that I am an artist. I thought of myself as a teacher who did theater at night. This program has acknowledged me as a holistic artist. It’s allowed me to explore self in a way that is still conscious of the outside world. Not closed off or entirely introspective.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
That it’s really hard to do a solo show. I’ve learned a lot about my rehearsal process. Sometimes being the only person in the room is scary.
I’m learning to find creativity through setting and following ground rules. Theater is like game playing. Rules matter. In theater you set the rules for engagement.
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Zach Trebino is a performance-based artist and playwright. His work emerges from a mind in which linguistics, quantum mechanics, myth, and ritual intermingle.
Project: “The Hierophants” is a collaboratively devised performance piece in the spirit of Grotowski’s “poor theatre.” It cannibalizes the story of an 18th century subversive religious sect, the Convulsionnaires of Saint-Medard, to explore notions of ecstatic suffering and transubstantiation.
Zach, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
My working life got in the way of my creative life. Towson supports my creative life and gives me the tools and networking to start a career working creatively.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
I love to be in control. It’s a challenge to relinquish control. But it is also freeing and rewarding to collaborate in a more organic and collective way.
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Rebekah Lane is from Orlando, FL. She is fascinated with staging the quiet moments in life, and has developed original theater professionally since 2005.
Project: “In Anticipation of Flight” explores different ways of staging listening. It asks what happens if we actually take the time to focus on the world inside of us?
Rebekah, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
It allows me to use all of my skills and experiences. I spent the last seven years with an acting ensemble, a puppetry theater company. Besides acting I was involved in writing, researching, building puppets, and directing. I didn’t realize I was already doing experimental theater. This program helps me to develop my own original theater. I’m interested in exploring moments that are solitary…where a character is listening and how to stage that.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
I am more interested in directing than I thought!
THURSDAY 2 APRIL AND SATURDAY 4 APRIL at 7:30
Corey Hennessey is an interdisciplinary artist based in Baltimore, MD.
Project: Corey is exploring the incorporation of photographic presentation and composition qualities into performance.
Corey, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
I was interested in interdisciplinary arts. My background is in photography. I wanted a program that would help me combine that with theater. Towson is accepting of all backgrounds and is willing to work with your skill set.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
It’s hard to describe. Much of it is introspective. I have acquired a lot of new skills in regard to putting a production together that weren’t required as a photographer…practical things. And a lot of creative leaps and bounds.
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Sarah Bourne hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is taking this time in graduate school to return to her roots as a puppeteer and to explore work that helps eliminate rape culture and empower young women.
Project: Sarah is presenting a toy theatre rendition of Samuel Beckett’s “Endgame”. She will explore themes of psychological abuse and how to leave an abusive relationship.
Sarah, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
I was excited that it was an interdisciplinary program. I was looking for something where I could expand on my puppetry arts, and explore new things.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
I came in primarily as a craftsman. I feel like I’m developing as an artist. I’m learning that I can create work, especially writing and directing, as well as performing.
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Kevin Becker is a director and composer from Orlando, FL.
Project: His site-specific work, exploring elements of Greek Myth, takes place in multiple locations in the Center for the Arts building and includes live streaming video.
Kevin, what makes the Towson MFA in Theatre Arts program a good fit for you?
Everyone (staff & faculty) are supportive of each of our artistic aesthetics. Coming in you are already validated as an artist. You are given the freedom to do explorative and experimental generative work.
What have you learned about yourself putting your show together?
Realizing the exact nature of my aesthetic which has to do with giving audience an experience more than content. Color what they see and let them make the story their own.
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