FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- 1/2/09
Morgan Arts Council • Berkeley Springs, WV
Press Contact only: Mary Hott -- 304-258-2300
www.macicehouse.org
LEARN TO BE A THEATER DIRECTOR

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV --- The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) stages a
special nine-hour workshop for aspiring and experienced directors of
live theater productions on Friday and Saturday, January 9 and 10. The
workshop is taught by Mark Kittlaus, Assistant Professor of Theatre at
Shenandoah Conservatory and Head of the BFA Acting Program there. It
is held at the Ice House in downtown Berkeley Springs.

"This is a rare opportunity for experienced directors to polish their
skills and aspiring directors to learn what it takes to direct," says
Mary Hott, MAC Executive Director. "Anyone with any theater
experience, whether actor, technician or playwright is welcome." Hott
announced that private donors made it possible to offer the advanced
directing workshop at a nominal cost.

The workshop runs from 6:30 to 9:30pm on Friday and 10am to 4pm on
Saturday. Topics include script choice, casting, use of production
staff, work with designers, imagining a finished play and rehearsing.

A theatre generalist of history and drama, a stage movement and mask
specialist and a recognized theater arts scholar, Kittlaus has taught
throughout the east including Brown University, the University of
Pittsburgh, and Montgomery College in Rockville MD. For the past
decade, he has been a teacher and director with the unique Ancient Mask
Repertory Theatre in Washington D.C., Maryland and New York City. With
his background in classical theatre and multicultural performances,
Kittlaus has directed everything from Persian folktales to
Noh-influenced Macbeth including at the Smithsonian Institution's
Discovery Theatre. "Mark Kittlaus' impressive and diverse experience
makes him the ideal person to teach the workshop," said Hott.

Although the Ice House has an active theater project that stages
several full productions a year, attendees need not be connected with
the Ice House to attend. "We are always looking for new directors,
though," said Hott. She encouraged interested people to call now and
reserve a space since enrollment is limited.

The Ice House is located at independence and Mercer in downtown
Berkeley Springs. For more information or to register, call
304-258-2300 or check online at www.macicehouse.org