Published on 7/23/08
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As the guiding creative force behind St. Ann’s Warehouse, New York’s go-to space for cutting-edge theatrical offerings, Susan Feldman needs to have her wits about her—no matter where in the world she finds herself. Here’s a look at highlights from her schedule.— Helen Shaw
Jul 4, 2004
The Polish Cultural Institute sponsors a trip to Poland to see one-acts directed by Grzegorz Jarzyna. Over lunch with Jarzyna, we cement decision to bring over Risk Everything.
Aug 24–29, 2004
Ibsen Fest in Oslo. Love The Wild Duck, but know it won’t work at St. Ann’s. Phone Joe Melillo; it ends up at BAM in October 2006.
May and Jun 2005
Back to Poland. See Jarzyna’s Macbeth—twice. Floored.
Oct 2005–May 2006
Cosponsor, with BAM, a study about utilizing Dumbo’s Tobacco Warehouse as a theater space.
Apr 2006
St. Ann’s is six and a half feet too short for Macbeth set. Start scouting taller venues.
Aug 2006
Check out BAM’s Harvey Theater for Macbeth. Costs are prohibitive. Make first request for the Tobacco Warehouse. Stonewalled.
Dec 2006
Float idea of (literally) raising the roof of St. Ann’s. Colleagues laugh.
Apr 2007
First meeting with new commissioner of the New York State Office of Parks, Carol Ash. She is immediately responsive to Tobacco Warehouse idea.
Jul 2007
Green light for using Tobacco Warehouse. For-real budgeting of Macbeth begins. Sponsorship comes largely from Poland. St. Ann’s NEA grant is only $20k, which, after divvying, might cover postage.
Feb 24, 2008
Meet with Jarzyna in Kraków on Macbeth rewrites, since the show is now three years old.
Mar 24, 2008
Back in Warsaw to watch rehearsals and sort out special effects and rooming assignments for Brooklyn.
Apr 3, 2008
Local casting for an eight-to-ten-year-old who can speak Polish and who is brave enough to perch on top of the set.
Macbeth will be at the Tobacco Warehouse in Dumbo, Brooklyn, Jun 17–29.
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