Jedediah Wheeler News

The world premiere of Swim, a theater work for blind and sighted audiences by celebrated theater artist Robert Whitman, takes place this weekend, March 26-29 as part of Peak Performances's 10th anniversary season at the Alexander Kasser Theater.

The world premiere of Swim, a theater work for blind and sighted audiences by celebrated theater artist Robert Whitman, takes place March 26-29 as part of Peak Performances's 10th anniversary season at the Alexander Kasser Theater.

Today, November 1, 2014, Montclair State University will celebrate a decade of stellar performances at the Alexander Kasser Theater, a cultural institution that has garnered regional, national and international recognition for serving as a home for the world's most visionary talents and an incubator for the next generation of innovative performing artists.

?On November 1, 2014, Montclair State University will celebrate a decade of stellar performances at the Alexander Kasser Theater, a cultural institution that has garnered regional, national and international recognition for serving as a home for the world's most visionary talents and an incubator for the next generation of innovative performing artists.

Despite the welcoming size of its stage and its top technical offerings, nothing about the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University has been considered sacred since its opening ten years ago. Peak artists have moved inside, outside and about the theater with the greatest of ease, with only a single directive issued by Peak's Artistic Director Jedediah Wheeler: Challenge the minds and imaginations of audiences in unexpected ways.

Despite the welcoming size of its stage and its top technical offerings, nothing about the Alexander Kasser Theater at Montclair State University has been considered sacred since its opening ten years ago. Peak artists have moved inside, outside and about the theater with the greatest of ease, with only a single directive issued by Peak's Artistic Director Jedediah Wheeler: Challenge the minds and imaginations of audiences in unexpected ways.

Heidi Latsky is the first of three choreographers selected to participate in Peak Performances' newly launched “Dance for Film on Location at Montclair State University,” a three and a half year project underwritten by a $450,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The announcement was made by Jedediah Wheeler, who heads the avant-garde presenting organization.

One of the most sought after young choreographers working today, Andrea Miller will present the world premiere of her most ambitious dance to date, "Fold Here," commissioned by Peak Performances where it debuts September 26-29 at the Alexander Kasser Theater. [Dancer : Emily Terndrup, Photographer : Tom Caravaglia]

On the brink of its 10th birthday, the ever-adventurous Peak Performances is daring its performers to step into new arenas during its 2013/14 season, September 19, 2013-June 15, 2014.

After three years in the making, David T. Little's "Dog Days" will receive its world premiere at Peak Performances' Alexander Kasser Theater, tonight, September 29-October 7.

After three years in the making, David T. Little's "Dog Days" will receive its world premiere at Peak Performances' Alexander Kasser Theater, September 29-October 7.

Peak Performances has been rapidly making Montclair State University a major cultural destination, even for New Yorkers. Nine premieres including stunning, often startling, new music, dance and theater works by composers David T. Little, Laurie Anderson, Bernice Johnson Reagon, Toshi Reagon; choreographers Benjamin Millepied, Richard Alston, Vusi Mdoyi, Jasmin Vardimon; directors Robert Wilson and Romeo Castellucci are among the highlights of the 2012/13 Peak Performances season. Peak is where exceptions rule.

The acclaimed 1994 world premiere of the Klezmer musical Shlemiel the First, was at Boston's American Repertory Theater (ART).

Seven years ago, an unsuspecting New Jersey township, population 37,569, became the epicenter of the international avant-garde. The culprit is named Peak Performances. Refusing to rent celebrities or Hollywood names to sweeten the lure, Peak chose not to blink and to go hardcore. Peak Performances continues its radical mission this coming season when it brings some of the world's most original and challenging artists from across the globe to brighten the stage of Montclair State University's Alexander Kasser Theater, located at 1 Normal Avenue. Jedediah Wheeler is Peak's Artistic Director.

Theatre goers who have attended a Diane Paulus production can attest to the fact that her work relies on audience interaction offering individuals a unique opportunity to become part of the creative process. Paulus, director of the current Broadway revival of HAIR, has injected a populist flavor in many of her productions, including the dance party that ensues onstage at the end of 'Hair' or setting up go-go boxes beckoning willing dancers at her production of 'The Donkey Show.' In a story in the New York Times, writer Patrick Healy explores how Paulus' brand of theatre engagement is questioned by many theatre purists and specifically how her recent appointment as Artistic Director of the American Repertory Theatre is causing quite a stir.

Seattle Theatre Group (STG) is proud to announce its 2009 - 2010 performance season with 34 extraordinary engagements at the historic Paramount and Moore Theatres, as well as the Falls Theatre at ACT. Shows range from performance art and comedy to legendary musicians, dance and silent film.