Matthew LaChiusa
SUNY Fredonia alumnus Matthew LaChiusa will share his experience writing for, founding, and directing Buffalo theater in a Writers@Work residency.
The artistic and executive director of the American Repertory Theater of Western New York will return to campus to give a series of presentations in “Navigating 21st Century Theater,” that is also part of the Literary Festival hosted by the Department of English.
During LaChiusa’s residency, students and community members will have opportunities to explore the skills, rewards and challenges of traversing theater — particularly as they apply to regional theaters and theater producers. The residency will span three days — Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 22 to 24 — and is free. Many sessions are open to the public.
LaChiusa’s own creative journey began at SUNY Fredonia and led him across the globe, from the vibrant streets of New York City to the artistic pulse of Edinburgh, the soulful rhythms of New Orleans and finally back to Western New York, where he’s made his mark.
In 2005, LaChiusa founded Morphine Hearts Productions, which helped to launch Buffalo’s avant-garde theater movement. Just two years later, he established the American Repertory Theater of WNY, which is now celebrating 18 seasons of bold, thought-provoking performance art.
Under LaChiusa’s leadership, the company has received 55 nominations and 6 awards for local theater excellence.
Also, a prolific playwright, LaChiusa, who received a B.A. in English in 1990, with a minor in Creative Writing, has written over 20 plays, including 14 that were professionally produced, along with multiple award-winning works. His voice continues to shape the region’s theatrical landscape — one story, one stage, one season at a time.
LaChiusa will be featured in the following classes on Wednesday:
THEA 133-HR: Intro to Acting Honors, 11 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Michael C. Rockefeller Arts Center Room G29;
THEA 449: Intro to Playwriting, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Rockefeller Room 236. Focus on writing short plays for smaller theaters.
COMM 304: Arts Journalism, 3 to 4:20 p.m., McEwen Hall Room 106.
LaChiusa will participate in the following on Thursday:
WRTG 365: Form and Theory, 11:45 a.m. to 12:20 p.m., Fenton Hall Room 2164;
Find Your Future Day, 3 to 5 p.m., Steele Hall, representing American Repertory Theater of WNY and its opportunities.
LaChiusa will attend the following on Friday:
A conversation with Fredonia Immersive Theatre, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Williams Center Room G103B;
THEA 100: Theater and Dance major seminar, 4 to 5 p.m., Fenton Room 105. LaChiusa will speak with first-year students about theater and what they should be doing while in college to be better prepared for a career and life in theater. Seating is limited, so attendees are advised to arrive early to claim one of 20 open seats.
Reception, 5 to 6 p.m., Fenton Lounge, near Room 105.
LaChiusa’s residency is sponsored by the Office of Alumni Engagement and Fredonia Immersive Theatre, a student group, with support from the Fredonia College Foundation.
Partners of the Writers@Work series include the Career Development Office, Department of English and Fredonia Honors Program. Residency partners are the Department of Communication and Department of Theatre and Dance.
