Christel DeHaan Visiting International Theatre Artist
(VITA)
Building on more than a decade of internationally focused,
cutting-edge theatre work. Butler University's Department of
Theatre proposed to elevate its contributions to the Indianapolis
community by establishing the Visiting International Theatre Artist
(VITA) program. With the generous sponsorship of the Christel
DeHaan Family Foundation we are pleased to inaugurate a four-year
pilot program of the Christel DeHaan Visiting International Theatre
Artist.
The spirit of the VITA program is grounded in selecting artists
of the highest caliber and of broad national and cultural
diversity. Each VITA will reside at Butler for approximately 8-10
weeks, teaching special seminars in the Theatre Department and
directing and/or designing a theatrical event. In so doing, the
VITA authentically expands Butler Theatre's well established
tradition of unique theatre productions that explore theatrical
practices from a range of cultural and artistic perspectives. The
productions will offer Butler students and our extended audiences a
unique and different international infusion of new ideas each year.
While in residence, the VITA will lead workshops for professional
artists further building links with the local working theatre
artist community in a yearly opportunity to work with a different,
acclaimed international theatre artist. Wherever appropriate, the
VITA will lead workshops for local secondary school students,
including students from IPS and Christel House Academy.