Susan Medak News

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a bold new initiative designed to raise the bar on its already successful record of artistic innovation. The Tony Award-winning nonprofit is launching The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep's Center for the Creation and Development of New Work.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that 16 college graduates from across the nation - including four natives of Northern California - have been awarded fellowships for the upcoming season.

Today, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the team of leaders who have stepped forward to guide the organization for the coming year.

Last night, more than 360 people gathered to celebrate the neighborhood playhouse with the national reputation: theatre lovers, gourmands, and philanthropists stepped into the spotlight at ONSTAGE, a theatrically delicious feast held on the 43rd birthday of the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

With one show on Broadway, another headed to London, and a new season of ambitious plays on the way, Berkeley Repertory Theatre pauses for a moment to salute Susan Medak, who has served as managing director of the nonprofit for 20 years. During those decades, Berkeley Rep - and Ms. Medak - have become national leaders in innovative theatre.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that 15 college graduates from across the nation - including five natives of Northern California - have been awarded fellowships for the upcoming season.

As it concludes a season in which three of its shows opened on Broadway, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre has elected officers to lead it through another year of fearless theatre. At the annual meeting for this renowned nonprofit, leaders from the Bay Area's top firms renewed their commitment to Berkeley Rep's board of trustees and pledged their support for its 43rd season, which presents eight adventurous shows here at home and sends another acclaimed production to London.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's production of Tiny Kushner may be headed to London, but it isn't the first Berkeley Rep treasure to make it overseas this year. Rachel Fink, director of Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre, was appointed the sole American delegate to a prestigious program from the British Council called Cultural Leadership International (CLI).

On April 24, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites you to step into the spotlight for the world premiere of its new gala: ONSTAGE! This theatrical feast for the senses celebrates Berkeley Rep's emergence as one of the nation's most innovative cultural organizations and 20 years of leadership by Susan Medak, the nonprofit's managing director. The Theatre's neighbors at Chez Panisse have shown the same commitment to excellence and exploration as they've renewed America's love affair with food. So now five celebrated chefs from the Chez Panisse family unveil a sensational four-course meal to benefit Berkeley Rep - served live on the renowned Roda stage.

On April 24, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites you to step into the spotlight for the world premiere of its new gala: ONSTAGE! This theatrical feast for the senses celebrates Berkeley Rep's emergence as one of the nation's most innovative cultural organizations and 20 years of leadership by Susan Medak, the nonprofit's managing director. The Theatre's neighbors at Chez Panisse have shown the same commitment to excellence and exploration as they've renewed America's love affair with food. So now five celebrated chefs from the Chez Panisse family unveil a sensational four-course meal to benefit Berkeley Rep - served live on the renowned Roda stage.

YALE REPERTORY THEATRE (James Bundy, Artistic Director; Victoria Nolan, Managing Director), THE PUBLIC THEATER (Oskar Eustis, Artistic Director; Andrew D. Hamingson, Executive Director), and BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE (Tony Taccone, Artistic Director; Susan Medak, Managing Director) present the world premiere of COMPULSION by Rinne Groff, directed by Oskar Eustis, at Yale Repertory Theatre (1120 Chapel Street, New Haven) January 29-February 28. Opening Night is Thursday, February 4.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that 16 emerging leaders from across the nation - including six Northern California natives - have been awarded fellowships for the upcoming season. This year's fellowships will be supported by a generous $50,000 grant from American Express, complementing a similar gift received earlier from the Koret Foundation.

Today, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced the addition of two esteemed professionals to its staff: Chad Jones, the respected local journalist, joins the Theatre as its new communications manager, and Tom Pearl, an experienced theatre leader, takes over the position of production manager.

Press release notes declared there were 'cheers and applause mingled with fond farewells - and a few tears - when 400 guests raised their glasses at the end of the 17th annual Narsai Toast. The cheers were a response to the announcement that, in a single evening, these gourmands had raised more than $440,000 to support the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The tears were prompted by the realization that, after nearly two decades of creating exceptional culinary events for the Theatre that raised more than $4.7 million, Narsai David has stepped off the podium of his eponymous event for the final time'.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre rings in the New Year with new classes for kids, teens, and adults. Among the original offerings, Erica Blue invites moms to explore their creativity and individuality in a workshop called Mothering on the Edge of Art, while Ron Campbell reinforces those resolutions to work off extra pounds with Theatre of Sweat, an aerobics class to exercise theatrical demons. The winter session at Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre begins January 10 - and new discounts make classes more affordable than ever.

Last year, Berkeley Repertory Theatre introduced lower ticket prices to ensure that everyone could enjoy world-class theatre. Now, as reports about the economy encourage consumers to tighten their belts, its series of free events allows theatre lovers another way to stretch their entertainment dollars.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre rings in the New Year with new classes for kids, teens, and adults. Among the original offerings, Erica Blue invites moms to explore their creativity and individuality in a workshop called Mothering on the Edge of Art, while Ron Campbell reinforces those resolutions to work off extra pounds with Theatre of Sweat, an aerobics class to exercise theatrical demons. The winter session at Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre begins January 10 - and new discounts make classes more affordable than ever.

American reporters know all too well that the newspaper industry is in crisis, as the rise of the Internet and a precipitous drop in advertising threatens jobs and journalism nationwide. But who knew that the problem extended to the world of student newspapers? Recently local teenagers who run the Jacket, an award-winning independent paper with a 50-year history of covering Berkeley High School, admitted that it was in danger of folding next year due to mounting financial challenges.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced that 15 young people from across the nation - including three natives of the Bay Area - have been selected for the highly coveted slots in its annual internship program.