(Roger)
was a founding member at Yale Repertory Theatre in the 60's and instead of going "west" to Hollywood, which would have been commercially profitable, he went to England! At Yale, he had the extraordinary opportunity to listen to amazingly vibrant directors Stella Adler, Bobby Lewis, Jonathan Miller, to experience theatre companies like the Living Theatre, the Open Theatre, actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, who came to perform. When he was invited to teach in London for a summer, He leapt at it and directed a play by Megan Terry called Keep Tightly Closed in a Cool Dry Place. When flags were used as bed spreads we were promptly arrested. England still had a censor in 1967. But all of a sudden (Roger)
was invited to direct throughout Europe, principally the Royal Court Theatre (London), State Theatres in Denmark, Nancy Festival, Du Monde, at the Abbey Theatre and Edinburgh Festival. The world became much smaller. The Simon Studio is a direct result of his years directing. Actors don't have to create in a room all by themselves, directors, and writers should be there too. The Arts should be a common language, an inter-action.
Putting contemporary writers side be side with the classics, as well as actors with writers and directors. The best training to help the artist grow is one night you're doing Pinter, or Williams, the next Shakespeare. New works loosens the language of the classics. The continual work on the classics also gives you a discipline and through that respect, it reinforces your respect in contemporary works.
Biography