Let It Be Art! - Fulbright Teaching Specialist

The Soul of the American Actor newspaper

CELEBRATING ITS 20TH YEAR!
25 COUNTRIES! 20 STATES!
RONALD RAND starring as HAROLD CLURMAN
in RONALD RAND’s acclaimed Solo Performance Play

Fulbright Specialist Scholar (2021-2025, 2013-2018)


	photo includes: Mr. Ivica Saric, Sarajevo Canton Minister of Culture, Dragan Jovičić, Artistic Director of Chamber Theatre 55, and Mrs. Elizabeta Delalic, Public Office Affairs, U.S. Embassy

	L to R: Zijad Mehić, Vice-Dean - University of Sarajevo -Academy of Dramatic Arts Arma Tanovic Brankovic, assistant professor, Ronald Rand, Pierre Žalica, Dean University of Sarajevo-Academy of Dramatic Arts, Thomas E. Mesa, Public Affairs Officer - U.S. Embassy-Sarajevo, Mrs. Elizabeta Delalic, Public Office Affairs, U.S. Embassy-Sarajevo

	with my students at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, University of Sarajevo as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist

	An imagination exercise with my students at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, University of Sarajevo as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist

	A vocal/body exercise with my students at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, University of Sarajevo as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist

	with my students at the Academy of Dramatic Arts, University of Sarajevo as a Fulbright Teaching Specialist

	meeting some of the 100 students I taught at my workshop - ‘Awareness & Communication & the Art of Acting’ - in the theater at Sarajevo's Third Gymnasium (High School). Principal Aida Arnautovic is at far left. Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

	in Mostar teaching my workshop with young students of the Mostar Youth Theatre, founded in 1974 as the first theater for young people in Mostar. During its 38 years it has educated and awakened a passion for theater in thousands of young people.

	During my workshop with the young students of the Mostar Youth Theatre

	Working with the students during an exercise in my ‘Art of Transformation’ Workshop at the Academy for Dramatic Art-University of Tuzla, Bosnia & Herzegovina

	With the students I taught in my Workshop, and Prof. Baisa Baki at the Academy for Dramatic Art-University of Tuzla, Bosnia & Herzegovina

	While I was a Fulbright Specialist, I was invited by Artistic Director, Dragan Jovicic, to become the 2nd U.S. Director in the history of the famed Chamber Theatre 55. He invited to direct one of their productions during my 6 week stay in Sarajevo. I chose to direct Murray Schisgal's comedy, "LUV," working with a translator who was my assistant director as the production was in Bosnian (a language I don’t speak). I had the privilege to direct three of Bosnia & Herzegovnia’s finest performers: Zana Marjanovic, Moamer Kasumović, and Mohammed Hadžović. The production set and costumes were designed by the award-winning designer, Vanja Popovic. It was a most rewarding rehearsal period and has turned into a sold-out production which continues to be performed for seven years in repertory at Chamber Theatre 55. The production has been taken on tour receiving awards at state festivals across Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Slovenia and Montenegro.

RONALD RAND

Ronald Rand has the honor of being the recipient of Four Fulbright Awards.

Ronald Rand became the First Fulbright Specialist Scholar
sponsored by the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
and World Learning, invited to:
University of Sarajevo, Academy of Dramatic Arts, Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina 2013
(6 weeks)
University of Malaya, Cultural Centre,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2015 (6 weeks)
The Theatre Workshop, Paysandu, Uruguay, 2018 (5 weeks)
University of Patras, Greece, 2024 (6 weeks)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mr. Ivica Saric, Sarajevo Canton Minister of Culture:

“I want thank you for your fine contribution to the enrichment of the cultural events in Sarajevo and beyond, by your expert visit via the Fulbright Specialist program and your work here in particular underlining the importance of your work with younger generation of actors and actresses. Please understand how welcome you will always be in Sarajevo and I express my genuine hope that you will be returning again in future for other projects and I am looking forward to those prospects. I am so pleased with the role that Chamber Theater 55 headed by Mr. Dragan Jovicic and his team, as well as Arma Tanovic Brankovic from the Academy of Performing Arts, played in bringing you here to work with the undergraduates and younger generation of Theater students from the Academy.”

Mrs. Elizabeta Delalic, Public Office Affairs, U.S. Embassy:

“It has been a deep pleasure to work with such a great professional and kind person at the same time. Congratulations on your teaching in Sarajevo, Mostar, and Tuzla. And also Congratulations on your premiere of “LUV” at the Chamber Theatre 55, as you brought in something new among Sarajevo’s audiences, and those who came the first night are still reflecting on the unforgettable performance.”

Hailed as an “International Goodwill Cultural Ambassador” – Mr. Rand was chosen by the U. S. State Department through The Fulbright Program, first in 2013, as the 1st Fulbright Specialist to teach at University of Sarajevo’s Academy of Dramatic Arts in Bosnia & Herzegovina. During his visit he became the first Fulbright Specialist to teach at University of Tuzla’s Academy of Dramatic Arts, Mostar’s Mladih Youth Theatre Group, and at Sarajevo’s Third Gymnasium High School.

In 2015, Mr. Rand was chosen as the 1st Fulbright Specialist to teach acting and directing classes for 6 weeks at the University of Malaya's Cultural Centre Drama Department in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

During his time in Malaysia, Mr. Rand became the first American invited to perform a solo play by the Malaysian Department of Culture, Arts & Tourism, at Malaysia’s JKKN State Theatres in Ipoh, Alor Setar and Kuala Terengganu, and in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr. Rand, for the first time since the country's founding, became the first American to introduce Stanislavsky’s “Method of Physical Actions” to hundreds of acting students across the country. Mr. Rand performed and taught at the Aswara National Arts Culture and Heritage Academy, Islamic International State University, University of Malaya, Universiti Teknologi Mara, and the Temple of Fine Arts Academy in Penang.

Mr. Rand was also a Guest Panelist for the Constantin Stanislavski International Forum at the University of Malaya entitled "The Transformation of Acting Style from America to Malaysia with the Stanislavski System" along with Dr. Zainal Abd. Latiff, Sabera Shaik, and Professor Chesley John Skinner. Mr. Rand was invited to have a Talk with the KL Shakespeare Players in Kuala Lumpur, was the honored guest speaker at the 4th Anniversary Celebration of Enfiniti Acting Academy in Selangor, and the guest speaker at the Fulbright Malaysia MACEE Alumni Gathering in Kuala Lumpur.

The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” With this goal as a starting point, the Fulbright Program has provided almost 310,000 participants – chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential – with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by then-Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 grants annually. Roughly 1,600 U.S. students, 4,000 foreign students, 1,200 U.S. scholars, and 900 visiting scholars receive awards, in addition to several hundred teachers and professionals. Approximately 310,000 "Fulbrighters" have participated in the Program since its inception in 1946. Currently, the Fulbright Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.

The Fulbright Specialist Program promotes linkages between U.S. scholars and professionals and their counterparts at host institutions overseas, choosing only 75 professors each year for a 5-year track.

TO ENLARGE, CLICK ON PHOTO

Photos from my 6 week visit as the first U.S. State Department Fulbright Specialist to the Cultural Centre, Theatre Department - University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (with a National Tour across Malaysia as the first American invited to perform in a solo play and presenting Master Workshops on Stanislavsky at Malaysia’s JKKN State Theatres sponsored by Malaysia’s Ministry of Culture including at Aswara National Arts, Culture & Heritage Academy, Kuala Lumpur; Universiti Teknologi Mara, Sha Alam, Selangor; JKKN State Theatre, Alor Setar, Kedah; JKKN State Theatre, Ipoh, Perak; Islamic International State University, Kuala Lumpur; Temple of Fine Arts Academy, Penang).

Photos from my 5 week visit as the first U.S. State Department Fulbright Specialist to The Paysandu Workshop Theatre Group, Paysandu, Uruguay.


International Theater Panel Discussion hosted by Artistic Director, Raul Rodriguez of the Paysandu Theatre Workshop Theatre in Paysandu, Uruguay, with Ronald Rand (USA Fulbright Specialist), Paco Guitierrez (Peru), Juan Maldonado, (Mexico), with Ilse Olivera, translator	Teaching students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) at Taller de Teatro de Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) of Theatre Workshop of Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017	Students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) of Theatre Workshop of Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Teaching students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) at Taller de Teatro de Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017, with Ilse Olivera, translator	Students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) of Taller de Teatro de Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Teaching high school students my “Art of Transformation” Workshop at Family English Institute, Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017	Teaching young students my “Art of Transformation” Workshop at Family English Institute, Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Teaching young students during my “Art of Transformation” Workshop at Family English Institute, Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017	Students and actors in my “Art of Transformation” Master Workshop (7 hour, 4 days a week) of Taller de Teatro de Paysandu as a Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist with Artistic Director, Raul Rodriguez, Pachanga, Ilse Olivera, and an actor of the Company	Graduation Day of the 5-week Workshop, with the daughter of Raul Rodriguez, Dulcinea.

During rehearsals as Director of a production of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Our Town” (translated into Spanish) with Ilse Olivera, translator	During dress rehearsal (wedding scene) of “Our Town” with actors of the Taller de Teatro de Paysandu Company

During the performance of “Our Town” at the Aras Theatre (Paysandu Premiere)	Ronald Rand, Director of “Our Town” (in Spanish) at the Aras Theatre, Paysandu, with the cast included: Yanina Ibarra - Stage Manager One, Victoria Balbuena as Stage Manager Two, Luis Orono as Stage Manager Three, Martha Orona as Stage Manager Four, Nelson Peralta as Dr. Gibbs, Ilse Olivera as Mrs. Gibbs, Pablo Coll as George Gibbs, Dulcinea Rodriguez as Rebecca Gibbs, Patricia Fernandez as Mrs. Webb, and Sofia Rodriguez as Emily Webb.

After the performance with Pachanga-Nelson Peralta (who played Dr. Gibbs) in “Our Town” and Raul Rodriguez, Artistic Director of Martha Orona right photo: “Finale” party with Raul Rodriguez, Artistic Director, and many of the students and actors of Taller de Teatro de Paysandu	“A Huge Thank you!” Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist, with Raul Rodriguez, Artistic Director, Taller de Teatro de Paysandu and Martha Orona

“A Beautiful Thank you!” Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist, with Raul Rodriguez, Artistic Director, Taller de Teatro de Paysandu, Lise Olivera and Martha Orona.	Ronald Rand onstage after the performance of his play, “LET IT BE ART!” at Paysandu’s Theatre Workshop Theatre, Uruguay, as a U.S. State Department Fulbright Specialist, November, 2017

Ronald Rand with Raul Rodriguez, Artistic Director of Paysandu’s Theatre Workshop Theatre, and Ilse Olivera and Patricia Fernandez after the performance of his play, “LET IT BE ART!” at Paysandu’s Theatre Workshop Theatre, Uruguay, November, 2017	Ronald Rand with audience members onstage after the performance of his play, “LET IT BE ART!” at Paysandu’s Theatre Workshop Theatre, Uruguay, November, 2017

Ronald Rand with audience members onstage after the performance of his play, “LET IT BE ART!” at Paysandu’s Theatre Workshop Theatre, Uruguay, November, 2017

Ronald Rand was invited as a Fulbright Specialist Scholar/Visiting Guest Professor to the Department of Theatre Studies at the University of Patras for six weeks in March and April, 2024 through the extraordinary support of The Fulbright Program and Fulbright Greece, especially Nicholas Tourides and Executive Director Artemis Zenetou.

I taught my "ART OF TRANSFORMATION" Master Acting Workshop in 7 different classes including in Acting, Advanced Acting, Dance and Scenic Design classes through the extraordinary support of the Head of the Theatre Studies Department Dr. Ioanna Papagerogiou, the dynamic and most supportive Associate Professor and renowned Dance scholar and author Dr. Katia Savrami (a former Fulbright Scholar), Assistant Professor Adonis Volanakis (a former Fulbright Scholar), Assistant Professor Valentina DiNapoli, Assistant professor Yianna Roilou, Assistant Professor Despina Stamatopoulou, and Master Acting Teacher Despina Georgakopoulou, whose generosity and passion was inspiring. Together we created a beautiful rich cultural exchange of enriching teaching.

I am most grateful to Rector Christos Bouras of the University of Patras for his generosity and support.

I also had a most enthuiastically received sold-out performance of my inspiring solo play as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART" at the beautiful theatre downtown in Patras, Lithographeion Theatre with the support of Maria Varsou, Nikos, and the entire company of the Lithographeion Theatre. At the curtain call, I spoke five sentences in Greek and we had a warm embracing Q & A after the performance. A wonderful teacher and translator, Omirou Katerina did a beautiful translation of the play into Greek which she showed during the performance.

I also taught my "Art of Transformation" Master Acting Workshop at the Drama School of Patras, thanks to Assistant Professor Yianna Roilou.

The University of Patras students' willingness to find out more about their history inspired me to conceive and direct a site-specific interactive performance which I titled, "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are." I assigned the students to visit the Archaelogical Museum of Patras and choose an artifact, an image in a tile or a statue and create a living story of a person who created the artifact and how they lived in Patras 2,000 years ago through their imagination and research.

When the students performed "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" in Greek in the lobby of the Conference Center, it was during the graduation ceremonies, and the audience that attended were thrilled by the students' performances. The audience standing in a semi-circle around the performance embraced the presentation most enthusiastically. It was as if time stood still, and the past came alive and was born anew in each student as they created a unalterable moment of interaction and communication.

At the University of Patras, Professor George Kakarelidis interviewed Professor Ioanna Papageorgiou and myself on the University of Patras FM Radio show, and he also introduced me to Professor Theodore Mallias at an art exhibit at Professor Mallias' Art Gallery across the ancient Roman Odeon Theatre. I was honored to receive an autographed copy of Professor Mallias' amazing book, "Olympic Hymn."

Associate Professor Dr. Katia Savrami was most generous to do an interview with me which appeared in the University of Patras UP Magazine.

Towards the end of my time in Greece, I was able to travel to Athens, and through the gracious support of Associate Professor Dr. Katia Savrami, I was able to teach my "ART OF TRANSFORMATION" Master Acting Workshop for the 1st, 3rd, and 4th Year Department of Theatre Studies students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with great thanks to Assistant Profesor Cio Fanouraki and Dr. Michaela Antoniou.

Assistant Professor Adonis Volanakis wrote: "Dear Ronald, I want to extend my deepest gratitude for taking the time to share your invaluable insights and expertise with us during our class on theater architecture and scenic space. Your profound understanding of Jerzy Grotowski and Stella Adler and their teachings, coupled with your own experiences with them and perspectives, added a richness and depth to our discussions that we truly cherished. Your passion for the craft of acting and your dedication to exploring the intricacies of performance within various spatial contexts were evident in every word you shared with us. Your ability to bridge theory with practical application inspired us all to think more critically about the relationship between the actor, the stage, and the audience. Your willingness to impart your knowledge and wisdom with such generosity is a testament to your commitment to nurturing the next generation of theater practitioners. We are incredibly fortunate to learn from someone as esteemed and accomplished as yourself. Please know that your visit has left a lasting impression on all of us, and we are deeply grateful for the inspiration and guidance you have provided. We look forward to applying the lessons we've learned from you in our future endeavors, both on and off the stage."


With students in an Acting class as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras led by Masting Acting Teacher Despina Georgakopoulou.	Exercise with the students in an Acting Class as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.

With a group of teachers at the University of Patras after teaching them my Master Workshop as a Fulbright Specialist.	Students doing an Animal Exercise in the Acting Class I taught as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.

During an Acting Class as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.	After an Acting Class with the students at the University of Patras as a Fulbright Specialist.

Teaching in Dr. Savrami's Dance Class as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.	Teaching as a Fulbright Specialist to a Theatre Architecture Class at the University of Patras led by Associate Professor Volankis.

Teaching as a Fulbright Specialist to a Theatre Architecture Class at the University of Patras led by Associate Professor Volankis.	Students in the Theatre Architecture Class I taught as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras led by Associate Professor Volankis.

With Desina Georgakapoulou, Master Acting Teacher, University of Patras.	During an exercise in an Acting Class as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.

With Rector Christos Bouras of the University of Patras and Associate Professor Dr. Katia Savrami.	Teaching my "Art of Transformation" Master Acting Workshop at the Drama School of Patras.

During an Animal Exercise teaching my "Art of Transformation" Master Acting Workshop at the Drama School of Patras.	During the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand.

During the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist.	During the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist.

During the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist.	During the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist.

Curtain call of the "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" performance by the students at the University of Patras directed by Ronald Rand, Fulbright Specialist, with Head of the Department of Theatre Studies Dr. Ioanna Papagerogiou.	Ronald Rand Fulbright Specialist with Master Acting Workshop students who performed in "LIVING ROOTS: Who We Are" at the University of Patras.

Ronald Rand Fulbright Specialist Scholar with Dr. Ioanna Papageorgiou during UP Radio Program interviewed by Professor George Kakarelidis at the University of Patras.	Ronald Rand Fulbright Specialist Scholar during UP Radio Program interviewed by Professor George Kakarelidis at the University of Patras.

During an exercise during my "Art of Transformation" Workshop as a Fulbright Specialist with the 1st, 3rd, and 4th year Department of Theatre acting students at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.	With all the 1st, 3rd, and 4th year Department of Theatre acting students after teaching my "Art of Transformation" Workshop as a Fulbright Specialist at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

With the Head of the Department Head of Theatre Studies Dr. Ioanna Papagerogiou and her husband, Associate Professor Dr. Katia Savrami and Pano Holistis.	After my performance as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART" onstage at the Lithographeion Theatre in Patras with Christos Bouras, Rector of the University of Patras, Department Head of Theatre Studies Dr. Ioanna Papagerogiou, Associate Professor Dr. Katia Savrami, Master Acting Teacher Despina Georgakopoulou.

After my performance as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART" onstage at the Lithographeion Theatre with Christos Bouras, Rector of the University of Patras.	After my performance as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART" onstage at the Lithographeion Theatre with Department Head of Theatre Studies Dr. Ioanna Papagerogiou, Omirou Katerina, and students in my acting classes as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.

After my performance as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART" onstage at the Lithographeion Theatre with members of the audience, and teachers who attended my Master Workshop as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Patras.	Onstage for the curtain call after my performance as Harold Clurman in "LET IT BE ART!" at the Lithographeion Theatre in Patras.

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