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| Letters of Recommendation |
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| Anne
DesRosiers Managing Director, JCC Arts & Culture Development Director, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis Managing Director, Great Lakes Theatre Festival Managing Director, The Cleveland Play House written - 2012 I’m writing on behalf of Fred Sternfeld and to recommend him for your consideration as a director. Fred and I worked together for five years at the Mandel Jewish Community Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Throughout that time, my role was managing director and for two years, Fred was artistic director. His professional commitments as a free-lance director and the artistic director of the Fairmont Performing Arts Conservatory, required that he serve as a free-lance director for the MJCC the last three years. Fred has the sensibilities and talent to direct plays in a variety of genres, but I am especially impressed with his work on large cast shows and musicals. Ragtime, the musical, which he directed our first season at the MJCC, was an enormous artistic and financial success. His Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, at one of Cleveland’s most respected small professional theaters, earned similar kudos from critics, audiences and fellow artists. Although, in my administrative role, I was an infrequent participant in design and production meetings or in the rehearsal process, Fred’s reputation as an effective, competent and sensitive manager and collaborator of and with designers and actors is well known in the Cleveland theater community. Prior to retiring two years ago, I spent 32 years working in the arts - in regional theater as a development director at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis and managing director of The Cleveland Play House & Great Lakes Theater Festival. I founded an arts management consulting company in 1985 and worked in that capacity with well over 100 theater, dance and opera companies as well as hundreds of artists. I can honestly say that Fred is one of the most dedicated and passionate artists I ever met. If I can be of any further assistance, I can be reached at 216.541.0345 and would be delighted to answer any additional questions about Fred and his work.
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| Brian
Zoldessy Professor of Theatre, AEA actor Director of the Theatre and Dance Department Cuyahoga Community College written - 2012 Mr. Fred Sternfeld has asked me to write a letter of recommendation on his behalf. I am very pleased and honored to do so. Without any doubt or hesitation at all, I assure you that Mr. Sternfeld will prove himself to be an incredible asset to your theatre company. Fred is the ultimate theatre professional. He has worked in Cleveland theatre for many years (as well as many other cities), and has succeeded incredibly well in every capacity; artistic director, director, teacher, coach, producer and consultant. He is organized and inspired in his love for theatre, and goes the extra mile to bring richness and depth to every one of his productions. Among his many accomplishments in Cleveland theatre, Fred has served as Artistic Director for the Fairmount Performing Arts Conservatory (professional theatre/ training program), Fairmount’s Summer Theatre Program for teens and adults, and Cleveland’s Jewish Community Center, which housed the Halle Theatre. The Halle had been one of the most important theatre entities in this city. In every instance his work was always well executed and very well prepared. Simply put, without his efforts, the overall production processes would not have run as smoothly as they did. His organizational skills coupled with a keen eye for detail helped to insure a well-planned and successful production. During his career, he has won many awards and honors for his work. Fred teaches and directs his cast to “flesh-out” a role, risking and experimenting during every moment, every scene. They are always working their individual process! As a result, they never stop growing and challenging themselves during the rehearsal process, as well as the performance process. His cast members are always very well prepared, on time, and very successful. Fred’s collaboration with the design/tech team is exemplary. He creates an environment that allows the designers to elucidate the play beautifully. They serve the play with integrity and distinction. The production process becomes as important to them as it does for Fred and his cast. As a former New York City professional actor, I have appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, films and TV. I have worked with many famous directors, and to this day, I would rank Fred as one of the best directors I have ever worked for. Additionally, Fred has been, and always will be a very fine colleague and friend. I think you will find him to be the type of employee we all seek; dedicated, talented, punctual and very serious about his work. He is sensitive and very personable, and will surely be a very valuable member to any theatre company lucky enough to employ him. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Brian
Zoldessy |
| Terrence
Spivey Artistic Director, Karamu House Theatre written - 2012 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to recommend director Fred Sternfeld. I have known Fred for over eight years and have hired him to direct at the legendary Karamu House Theatre, the oldest African-American Arts Center in the United States. His work is of the highest caliber, bringing creativity, intelligence, insight and humanity. In 2009, I hired Fred to direct Dael Orlandersmith’s Yellowman for Karamu House. His work was exemplary, creating resonant and moving work that was a resounding critical and box office success, and received awards from many of the critics. He most recently directed The Bluest Eye for Karamu, which opened February 3 and closed February 26.He had a stellar cast for Lydia Diamond’s adaptation of Toni Morrison’s acclaimed novel. Due to huge sell outs we added a second show on the last day. Again, another resounding critical and box office success. Fred works exceptionally well with Karamu’s production team and actors, instilling an atmosphere of collaboration and creativity. He is also extremely well organized, creating well thought out schedules and utilizing rehearsal time efficiently. In 2004, I had the good fortune to see his production of Ragtime, the Musical for the Cleveland Jewish Community Center and lead a talk-back afterwards with Michael Bloom, Cleveland Play House artistic director. Ragtime was a stellar production, beautifully staged and quite moving. His orchestration in utilizing such a large cast on the stage was impeccable. The play was critically acclaimed and a huge box office success and received multiple awards from the media, including Best Director and Best Musical from the Cleveland Theatre Collective’s “Critic’s Circle Awards.” A testament to his capability is the fact that he has worked for most of the small professional theatres in the region. He has done outstanding work with a wide variety of material - from small cast straight plays to large cast musicals. Fred is a committed, talented and hard-working director and would be an asset to your organization. If you have additional questions about Fred Sternfeld, feel free to call me at 216-795-7070 or write me at tsplywrght@aol.com. Sincerely, Mr.
Terrence Spivey |
| For all letters accumulated over Fred's entire career, go to this link. |
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