Page 7 - The Islander - November '23

The Islander, Page 7

artS & entertainment from page 6
Palm Beach Dramaworks

Names Anne Mundell Resident Scenic Designer

Palm Beach Dramaworks is very different from how I grew up. I’m fascinated to ‘I better go practice what I preach.’ And students are
(PBD) is delighted to see what’s next.” phenomenal teachers.”
announce that Anne Mundell, “We’re thrilled that Anne accepted our invitation,” Mundell took early retirement in order to seek out
an award-winning scenic said PBD Producing Artistic Director William Hayes. new challenges. “When I was teaching, I was part of an
designer and distinguished “She is a pleasure to work with, and has a wealth of amazing community of people with incredible ideas,” she
professor emeritus, has been experience and a rich imagination. She’s also very said. “That’s one of the reasons I was thrilled when Bill
named the company’s new forward-thinking and has an invigorating approach to asked me about this job. I’m looking forward to working
resident scenic designer, scenic design. She simply has so much to offer PBD.” with another brilliant artistic community.”
effective immediately. Mundell, who grew up in and around Washington, Palm Beach Dramaworks is a professional, nonprofit
Mundell made her PBD D.C., did her undergraduate work at Kenyon College in theatre company founded in 2000 and located in the
debut in 2017 with Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia, and Ohio, and received a master of fine arts in scenic design heart of downtown West Palm Beach. Each season, the
subsequently designed the sets for Peter Shaffer’s Equus from Brandeis University. She went to Pittsburgh to work award-winning company produces five mainstage shows
in 2018, and Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named at Pittsburgh Public Theater just after grad school; her and offers a wide variety of programs for students at
Desire in 2019. This season, she is designing the world plan was to remain there for two years and then head to the theatre and in schools. Committed to fostering the
premieres of Jenny Connell Davis’ The Messenger and New York. “That didn’t work out, because I kept finding future of theatre, PBD has become a hub for playwrights
Christopher Demos-Brown’s The Cancellation of Lauren interesting things to do in Pittsburgh,” she said. in Florida and around the country to nurture their work
Fein, as well as Arthur Miller’s seminal Death of a One day, a theatre colleague who also taught at through initiatives including The Dramaworkshop and
Salesman. She is scheduled to do at least two shows a Carnegie Mellon University asked Mundell to substitute the Perlberg Festival of New Plays. PBD is a member of
year at PBD. for him in a class. She had no desire to teach, but she Theatre Communications Group, Florida Professional
“I’m very excited to have this opportunity,” said agreed to do it. “I was terrible,” she said. “I told the Theatres Association, the Cultural Council of Palm Beach
Mundell. “Everybody made me feel so welcome from the students everything I knew about a particular topic, and County, and NNPN. www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.
first time I worked here, and I love the family atmosphere. I was exhausted. I thought, ‘Oh, it’s the end of the class,
I just retired from my professor job at Carnegie Mellon, I wonder if there’s time for questions.’ Then I looked at
where I’ve been for 30-plus years, and it’s nice to have the clock and only 10 minutes had passed. But they kept
another artistic home. And Dramaworks is such a good fit. asking me back.” She served briefly as the interim head
I really enjoy what the company does – you know, ‘theatre of the School of Drama, spent a decade as coordinator
to think about.’ That’s the kind of work I love to do. I feel of design, and was associate professor of scene design
like we’re at a point in history where artists have to bear from 1988 until her retirement. Throughout her career in
witness and tell stories that matter in ways that matter. education, Mundell continued her design work in theatres
That’s something that Dramaworks does. And everyone around Pittsburgh and various parts of the country,
here is willing to take risks with ideas, which is always including Pittsburgh Public Theater, Maltz Jupiter
fun for me. I come from a poetic, gestural tradition and Theatre, Pittsburgh City Theatre, Utah Musical Theatre,
like to explore the world of the play in a way that isn’t Carnegie Museum of Art, Quantum Theatre, Hangar
necessarily reproducing the actual physical space that the Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, St. Michael’s
story takes place, like a living room, for instance. I’m Playhouse, Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Black Hills
also very interested in what theatre is going to be as we Playhouse, and Players Theatre Columbus.
move into a new generation of artists who think and tell “Teaching and design became a feedback loop,” she
stories in an aggregate way instead of a linear way, which said. “I would hear myself say something and think,

THANKSGIVING

CELEBRATION

November 23, 2023
Served from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
$115 Adults, $40 Children (5-12yr),
4 and under gratis
Complimentary Valet Parking for
Restaurant Patrons

An annual tradition. Enjoy an elaborate
Thanksgiving meal in our Ballroom and
Veranda with a carefully crafted menu.
Menu highlights include:
• Seafood Display
• Artisanal Cheese, Charcuterie and Seasonal
Vegetable Crudité Displays
• Salad Station
• Chef Carving Stations (Roasted Turkey, Whole Salt Crusted Salmon, Herb Crusted Prime Rib)
• Pasta Station
• Array of Seasonal Side Items
• Dessert Station
20% service charge and local taxes will be added to each check.

RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, LIMITED AVAILABILITY – CALL 561.340.1795

PALM BEACH MARRIOTT SINGER ISLAND BEACH RESORT & SPA
3800 NORTH OCEAN DRIVE, SINGER ISLAND - RIVIERA BEACH, FL 33404
561.340.1700, PALMBEACHMARRIOTTRESORT.COM
©2023 Marriott International, Inc.

PBISG Thanksgiving Seabreeze 10.25x8 Ad 1023.indd 1 10/29/23 1:24 PM