Madelon Powers Gallery to Present Crossing Over Scenography

“Crossing Over Scenography,” showcasing the work of internationally renowned scenographic artist Pamela Howard, OBE, will be featured November 1-20 at the Madelon Powers Gallery of the East Stroudsburg University’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg.

Hours for the gallery, located in the university’s Fine & Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

In her book “What is Scenography?” Howard describes scenography as “the seamless synthesis of space, text (play script, or libretto), research, art, actors, directors, and spectators that contributes to an original creation.”

The approach to theatre, which Howard developed, is widely known in Europe but challenges conventional American practice by putting multiple elements of theatre into an individual artist’s hands. One designer analyzes the script, conducts research, creates and supervises the implementation of all the elements (scenery, costumes, lights, etc.) that make up a production and directs the show.

Trained at the Slade School of Fine Art (1958-1959) Howard has had a full career as a theatre designer where she developed a love of text and context with fine art. Since 2000 she has been the total creator of productions where she develops a scenographic language of beauty and simplicity on stage that makes the performer always “the carrier of the myth”.

Sustainability and imaginative use of space are central to Howard’s works. A compulsive observer of human life, she is never without a pencil and a sketchbook, notating everyday life and reworking her sketches on stage.

Howard is International Chair in Drama at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama; a visiting professor at Arts University, Bournemouth; and Emeritus Professor at Arts University, London. She is currently preparing a new, third expanded edition of her book, “What is Scenography” for publication in 2019. In 2008 she was awarded an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to drama.

A reception for Howard will be held Thursday, November 1, from 4-6 p.m. in the gallery. She will give a public talk on her work at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 6 in Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall of the ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center. Both the reception and talk are open to the public at no cost.

Howard also will give a workshop on drawing characters in a play/opera on Saturday, November 3 from 1-4 p.m. in the Fine & Performing Arts Center. The workshop is open to the public at no cost, but space is limited and registration is required. To register, email esuarts@esu.edu.

ESU’s Office of Sponsored Projects and Research and the Office of the Provost provided support for the exhibit, talk and workshop.

For more information on any of these events, contact the Fine and Performing Arts Center at esuarts.esu.edu or call 570-422-3483.

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