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{{Short description|American theatre director}}
{{Short description|American theatre director}}
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[[File:RKonstage.jpg|thumb|Richard Kuranda Introducing In the Heights, The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, New London CT.]]
'''Richard Kuranda''' is an American [[theatre director|director]] and [[artist]] of stage, cinema, and television. In November 2024, he celebrated his 18th anniversary as CEO of the Raue Center for the Arts in [[Crystal Lake, Illinois]], and artistic director of Williams Street Repertory.
'''Richard Kuranda''' is an American [[theatre director|director]] and [[artist]] of stage, cinema and television. He currently is the CEO of the Raue Center for the Arts in [[Crystal Lake, Illinois]] and the current Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory. A widower, he resides in Illinois with his four children. In 2018, Raue Center and Williams Street Rep retired an 8.8 million dollar debt under his leadership.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/2-3-million-donation-pays-raue-center-debt|title=$2.3 Million Donation Pays off Raue Center Debt|date=9 March 2018}}</ref> What is more noteworthy, he negotiated a public/private deal which secured a 125 year subsidized lease at $100 per year with a 25-year corporate sponsorship from Home State Bank. This complimented an expansion of the Center's physical plant to include a new school and outdoor theater space. In 2005, ''The New York Times'' <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/preston-whiteway-and-richard-kuranda.html|title=Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda|newspaper=The New York Times|date=27 February 2005|last1=Piepenburg|first1=Erik}}</ref> profiled Kuranda's artistic and producing work at the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center and labeled him as one of the nation's top theater talents to watch (at the time he was the youngest producing director of a Tony Award-winning Theater and had just "turned around" the O'Neill by restoring its National Programs). It is noteworthy to point out Kuranda was the leader and produced all of the programs in a short-lived consolidation of all National Programs; halfway thru his tenure at the O'Neill he reversed the Board's consolidation of programs which lead to a rebirth of the O'Neill.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2004-07-18-0407180730-story.html | title=O'neill in Upheaval | date=18 July 2004 }}</ref> Kuranda has had working relations with Former Senator [[Bob Kerrey]], Senator Christopher J. Dodds, and others. Cumulative Box Office for projects developed under his leadership; 2.9 billion US.

In 2018, the Raue Center and Williams Street Rep retired an {{Currency| 8.8m|US}} debt under his leadership.<ref name=AS-Patch>{{Cite news |last=Schaenzer |first=Amie |url=https://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/2-3-million-donation-pays-raue-center-debt|title=$2.3 Million Donation Pays off Raue Center Debt |work=[[Patch Media|Patch]] |date=9 March 2018}}</ref> While Kuranda served as CEO at Raue, the board negotiated a subsidized lease at $100 per year with a 25-year corporate sponsorship from Home State Bank.<ref name=AS-Patch/> This complemented an expansion of the center's physical plant to include a new school and outdoor theater space.<<https://www.rauecenter.org/arts-on-the-green/>>
[[File:JB, RK, JS.jpg|thumb|Richard Kuranda, [[J. B. Pritzker|Gov. Pritzker]] and [[Juliana Stratton|Lt. Gov. Stratton]]]]

In 2005, ''[[The New York Times]]'' profiled Kuranda's artistic and producing work at the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center. At the time he was the youngest producing director of a [[Tony Awards|Tony]] Award–winning theater and had just "turned around" the O'Neill by restoring its national programs.<ref name=NYT-Piep>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/preston-whiteway-and-richard-kuranda.html|title=Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=27 February 2005|last1=Piepenburg|first1=Erik|url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240425150641/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/preston-whiteway-and-richard-kuranda.html |archive-date=2024-04-25}}</ref> Halfway through his tenure at the O'Neill, Kuranda reversed the board's consolidation of programs, which lead to a rebirth of the O'Neill.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.courant.com/2004/07/18/oneill-in-upheaval/ |title=O'Neill in Upheaval |date=18 July 2004 |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref>


== Biography ==
== Biography ==


Born in 1969 in northeastern [[Pennsylvania]], Kuranda was educated at the [[Jesuit]] [[Scranton Preparatory School]], then attended [[West Virginia University]] as a scholarship student and at the Actors Studio program at the [[New School University|New School for Social Research]] from which he holds two Master's degrees under the guidance of [[Romulus Linney (playwright)|Romulus Linney]] and [[Arthur Penn]]. As a graduate student, he was mentored by [[Norman Mailer]]. Kuranda has lectured at [[Yale]], [[Harvard]], [[NYU]] and various others. He also served as an advocate for the [[United Nations]] in conjunction with the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona 2004.<ref>https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000109133 {{Bare URL inline|date=October 2022}}</ref>
Born in 1969 in northeastern [[Pennsylvania]], Kuranda was educated at the [[Jesuit]] [[Scranton Preparatory School]], then attended [[West Virginia University]] on a scholarship before enrolling in the actors studio program at the [[New School University]].<ref name=Raue-prof/> He studied under [[Romulus Linney (playwright)|Romulus Linney]] and [[Arthur Penn]], earning two master's degrees.<ref name=Raue-prof/> During his studies, he was mentored by [[Norman Mailer]].<ref name=Raue-prof/>

⚫
Kuranda's first professional film work was as a teenager, discovered by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright [[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]]. During his youth, Kuranda worked at the Scranton Theater for several years. His first professional theatrical work was at the [[New Jersey Shakespeare Festival]].<ref>https://www.shakespearenj.org/about-us/history</ref> His film work includes a series of films with [[Bill Plympton]], which are part of the [[MOMA]] permanent collection. Kuranda's collaboration with Plympton helped launch the budding New York Underground Film and Video Festival,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/20/movies/a-festival-for-films-that-defy-convention.html |title=A Festival for Films That Defy Convention|newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=20 March 1996 |last=Grimes |first=William}}</ref> helmed by [[Todd Phillips]] and [[Andrew Gurland]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/13/movies/film-obscure-films-fuel-a-new-festival.html |title=FILM; Obscure Films Fuel a New Festival |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=13 March 1994 |last=Peden |first=Lauren David}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Everleth |first=Mike |url=https://www.undergroundfilmjournal.com/flashback-1994-new-york-underground-film-festival/ |title=Flashback: 1994 New York Underground Film Festival |date=18 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320013744/https://www.undergroundfilmjournal.com/flashback-1994-new-york-underground-film-festival/ |archive-date=2018-03-20 |work=Underground Film Festival}}</ref> Kuranda's early work at the [[Actors Studio]] included, amongst others, a six-month exploration of ''Oedipus Rex'' with [[Al Pacino]], [[Christopher Walken]] and [[Estelle Parsons]]. [[Lloyd Richards]], Romulus Linney,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.signaturetheatre.org/About/Playwrights---Residencies/Romulus-Linney.aspx |title=Romulus Linney 1991-92 Residency 1 Playwright |access-date=2021-07-16 |archive-date=2021-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728204742/https://signaturetheatre.org/About/Playwrights---Residencies/Romulus-Linney.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jack Temchin, and Kuranda were chronicled by the ''[[The Village Voice|Village Voice]]'' as defining the Actors Studio Drama School during their tenure of productions at [[Circle in the Square Theatre|Circle in the Square Theater]]. Kuranda led the team at Epic Rep during a period of literary adaptations, which included commissioning Romulus Linney to adapt [[Tim O'Brien (author)|Tim O'Brien's]] National Book winner ''[[Going After Cacciato|Going After Cacciatio]]''.


He is the former producing director of the [[Eugene O'Neill Theater Center]]. He also served as the center's interim artistic director for the O'Neill and all its programs. Kuranda was asked to lead the National Playwrights Conference and the center in 2004 after Ranelli resigned.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Hernandez |first=Ernio |date=2004-07-12 |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/j-ranelli-resigns-as-artistic-director-of-eugene-oneill-theater-center-com-120824 |title=J Ranelli Resigns as Artistic Director of Eugene O'Neill Theater Center |magazine=[[Playbill]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theoneill.org/npc |title = National Playwrights Conference, Informational Landing Page |work=Eugene O'Neill Theater Center}}</ref>
⚫
Kuranda's first professional film work was as a teenager, discovered by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright [[Jason Miller (playwright)|Jason Miller]]. Kuranda worked for several years as a youth in the Scranton Theater. His first professional theatrical work was at the [[New Jersey Shakespeare Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shakespearenj.org/AboutUs/mission.html |title = The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey}}</ref> His film work includes a series of films with [[Bill Plympton]], which are part of the [[MOMA]] permanent collection. Kuranda's collaboration with Plympton helped launch the budding New York Underground Film and Video Festival,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/20/movies/a-festival-for-films-that-defy-convention.html|title = A Festival for Films That Defy Convention|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 20 March 1996|last1 = Grimes|first1 = William}}</ref> helmed by [[Todd Phillips]] and [[Andrew Gurland]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/13/movies/film-obscure-films-fuel-a-new-festival.html|title = FILM; Obscure Films Fuel a New Festival|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 13 March 1994|last1 = Peden|first1 = Lauren David}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.undergroundfilmjournal.com/flashback-1994-new-york-underground-film-festival/|title = Flashback: 1994 New York Underground Film Festival|date = 18 February 2018}}</ref> Kuranda's early work at the [[Actors Studio]] included, amongst others, a six-month exploration of Oedipus Rex with [[Al Pacino]], [[Christopher Walken]] and [[Estelle Parsons]]. [[Lloyd Richards]], [[Romulus Linneyhttps://www.signaturetheatre.org/About/Playwrights---Residencies/Romulus-Linney.aspx|Romulus Linney]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.signaturetheatre.org/About/Playwrights---Residencies/Romulus-Linney.aspx |title=Romulus Linney (Signature's Legacy Program Playwright) |access-date=2021-07-16 |archive-date=2021-07-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728204742/https://signaturetheatre.org/About/Playwrights---Residencies/Romulus-Linney.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Jack Temchin, and Richard Kuranda were chronicled by the Village Voice as defining the Actors Studio Drama School at the New School for Social Research during their tenure of productions at Circle in the Square Theater Downtown at 159 Bleecker Street. Kuranda led the team at Epic Rep during a period of literary adaptations, which included (amongst others): commissioning Romulus Linney to adapt [[Tim O'Brien (author)|Tim O'Brien's]] National Book winner ''[[Going After Cacciato|Going After Cacciatio]]''.


The ''New York Times'' stated that Kuranda restored confidence in the O'Neill's national programs by adding Michael Bush, [[Wendy C. Goldberg]], and [[Oz Scott]]<ref name=Raue-prof>{{cite web |title=Richard Kuranda (Executive Director, Founding Artistic Director) - Staff Profile |url=https://www.rauecenter.org/staff/ |website=Raue Center for the Arts |access-date=2024-09-09}} Click on the "Learn more about Richard" button underneath his picture.</ref> and reversing the decision of the previous leadership to combine all programs under one artistic office.<ref name=NYT-Piep/> James Houghton supported Kuranda through one of the most exhausting seasons of development.<NYTimes>
He is the former Producing Director of the [[Eugene O'Neill Theater Center]]. He also served as the Center's interim Artistic Director (for The O'Neill and all its programs.) Kuranda was asked to lead the National Playwrights Conference and the Center in 2004 after Ranelli resigned.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/j-ranelli-resigns-as-artistic-director-of-eugene-oneill-theater-center-com-120824 |title = J Ranelli Resigns as Artistic Director of Eugene O'Neill Theater Center {{!}} Playbill}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theoneill.org/npc |title = National Playwrights Conference {{!}} Eugene O'Neill Theater Center}}</ref> While at the O'Neill, Kuranda was credited by the ''New York Times'' as restoring confidence to its national programs as well as restoring actual programs like the Cabaret, Film, and Television along with the appointments of Michael Bush, Wendy C. Goldberg, and Oz Scott and reversing the decision of previous leadership to combine all programs under one artistic office (then J Ranelli). James Houghton supported Kuranda through one of the most exhausting seasons of development due to J Ranelli's choice to combine all Conferences at once;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/preston-whiteway-and-richard-kuranda.html |title = Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda - The New York Times|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 27 February 2005|last1 = Piepenburg|first1 = Erik}}</ref> the success of several Projects developed under his tenure at the O'Neill included ''[[In The Heights]]'' and ''{title of show}'', "Madagascar" and others which have debuted at nearly every major regional theater in the US and abroad. He served as the Head of Operations at NY's [[Signature Theatre Company (New York City)|Signature Theatre]] Company under James Houghton. Kuranda co-founded Epic Repertory Theater in NY and in a three-year span produced 24 off-Broadway plays including new works by [[David Auburn]], [[JT Rogers]], Romulus Linney, and [[Lee Blessing]]. Venues of production included the Dr2, The Peter Norton Space on 42nd St, The Quintero (formerly the Kaufman), and the Public Theater.
Kuranda was a principal at Elliott Associates; having opened doors to film production in his first three.


He served as the Head of Operations at the [[Signature Theatre Company (New York City)|Signature Theatre Company]] under James Houghton.{{cn|date=September 2024}} Within a three-year period at the Epic, which he co-founded, Kuranda produced 24 off-Broadway plays, including works by [[David Auburn]], [[JT Rogers]], Romulus Linney, and [[Lee Blessing]].<ref name=Raue-prof/> Venues of production included the Dr2, the Peter Norton Space on 42nd Street, the Quintero (formerly the Kaufman), and the Public Theater. Kuranda was a principal at Elliott Associates, having opened doors to film production in his first three film projects.
⚫
Kuranda is a lifetime member of [[The Actors Studio]], and the former Director of Professional Development for The Actors Studio Drama School at the [[New School for Social Research]] (The New School) having replaced the retiring Associate Dean, Stephen Benedict. Kuranda was recruited from the [[Signature Theatre Company (New York City)|Signature Theater]] to come back to the West Village institution by [[James Lipton]]. During his tenure at The New School, he led the team to expand the campus with the acquisition of the old Bell Laboratories at Westhbeth, his team took over and turned it into one of the world's most important theater training centers in the world. The history of the space isioteworthy; It was here that the first talking movie, the condenser microphone, the first TV broadcast, and the first binary computer were demonstrated. The program was the third generation of [[Dramatic Workshop]] run by [[Erwin Piscator]]. He is a member of the [[Dramatists Guild]] and The [[Stage Directors and Choreographers Society]].[[Stage Directors and Choreographers Society|ved]] randa served as a Mentor the K[[Stage Directors and Choreographers Society|e]]<nowiki/>nnedy Center, Arts In Crisis program. He was a member[[Stage Directors and Choreographers Society|ing]] the Visiting Committee to West Virginia University (arts) for eight years. Kuranda also served on the Board of the New School as a student representative for 3 years and a senior director/representative for 4 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westbeth.org/about/history/|title = History}}</ref>


He also served as an advocate for the [[United Nations]] in conjunction with the [[Universal Forum of Cultures]] in Barcelona 2004.<New School for Social Research><<https://www.un.org/pga/78/high-level-forum-on-the-culture-of-peace/>>
Kuranda cites his collaborations with Bill Plympton, Jack Temchin, Al Pacino, JT Rogers, Melody Cooper and James Lipton as defining moments in his career.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}} Kuranda withdrew from the public during the Monte Cristo Award Ceremony in Beverly Hills honoring Karl Malden.


⚫
Kuranda is a lifetime member of [[The Actors Studio]] and the former director of professional development for The Actors Studio Drama School at [[New School for Social Research|The New School]], having replaced the retiring associate dean, Stephen Benedict. Kuranda was recruited from the Signature Theater to come back to the West Village institution by [[James Lipton]]. During his tenure at The New School, he led the team to expand the campus with the acquisition of the old Bell Laboratories at Westhbeth, which his team turned into one of the world's most important theater training centers in the world. The history of the space is noteworthy: it was here that the first talking movie, the condenser microphone, the first TV broadcast, and the first binary computer were demonstrated. The program was the third generation of [[Dramatic Workshop]] run by [[Erwin Piscator]]. He is a member of the [[Dramatists Guild]] and [[Stage Directors and Choreographers Society]]. Kuranda served as a mentor to the Kennedy center Arts In Crisis program. He was a member of the visiting committee to West Virginia University (arts) for eight years. Kuranda also served on the Board of the New School as a student representative for three years and as a senior director/representative for four years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westbeth.org/about/history/ |title=History of Westbeth |work=[[Westbeth Artists Community]]}}</ref>
⚫
In recent years, Kuranda has focused on his family life and enjoys the small northwestern community of Crystal Lake, Illinois.<ref>https://www.crystallake.org/, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716130057/https://www.crystallake.org/ |date=2021-07-16 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.visitmchenrycounty.com/ |title = Visit McHenry County, Illinois - Winter}}</ref> He serves locally on several Boards.


==Family==
Kuranda also paints and his work is represented in several gallery shows in the US in 2024. Kuranda.art <ref>kuranda.art</ref>
⚫
Kuranda and Alicia Regan met in graduate school in New York City. They worked on over 200 projects together over a 28-year relationship until her passing in 2023. In recent years, Kuranda has focused on his family life and enjoys the small northwestern Crystal Lake, Illinois community.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.crystallake.org/ |url-status=live |title=City of Crystal Lake, IL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716130057/https://www.crystallake.org/ |archive-date=2021-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naturallymchenrycounty.com/ |title=Naturally McHenry County |work=McHenry County}}</ref> He serves locally on several boards. Kuranda also paints, and his work is represented in several gallery shows in the U.S. in 2024.


== See also ==
== See also ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*{{IMDb name|id=0475572|name=Richard Kuranda}}
*{{IMDb name|id=0475572|name=Richard Kuranda}}
* NY Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/27piep.html Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda]
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-manchester/the-chicago-tour-diary_b_1657621.html The Chicago Tour Diary]
*[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-manchester/the-chicago-tour-diary_b_1657621.html The Chicago Tour Diary]
*[http://www.oneilltheatercenter.org/news/101104.htm The O'Neill Malden and Douglas]
*[http://www.oneilltheatercenter.org/news/101104.htm The O'Neill Malden and Douglas]
*[http://www.usfoundation.org/UniversalForum.htm Universal Forum]
*[http://www.usfoundation.org/UniversalForum.htm Universal Forum]
* [http://www.epic-rep.com/Bios.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921024058/http://www.epic-rep.com/Bios.html |date=2010-09-21 }}
* {{Cite web | url=http://www.epic-rep.com/Bios.html | title=Epic Repertory Theatre Company - Management |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921024058/http://www.epic-rep.com/Bios.html | archive-date=2010-09-21 }}
* [http://www.gc.cuny.edu/press_information/current_releases/september_2003_prelude.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613151431/http://www.gc.cuny.edu/press_information/current_releases/september_2003_prelude.htm |date=2010-06-13 }}
* {{Cite web | url=http://www.gc.cuny.edu/press_information/current_releases/september_2003_prelude.htm | title=3 Days/16 Companies = 1 Off-Broadway Prelude Weekend | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100613151431/http://www.gc.cuny.edu/press_information/current_releases/september_2003_prelude.htm | archive-date=2010-06-13 }}
* [http://www.newschool.edu/admin/middlestates/docs/appendb.pdf]{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{Cite web | url=http://www.newschool.edu/admin/middlestates/docs/appendb.pdf | title=Self-study steering committee and subcommittees | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060911153321/http://www.newschool.edu/admin/middlestates/docs/appendb.pdf | archive-date=2006-09-11 }}
* [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/27/theater/theaterspecial/27piep.html Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda]
* [http://www.newschool.edu/admin/middlestates/docs/appendb.pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060911153321/http://www.newschool.edu/admin/middlestates/docs/appendb.pdf |date=2006-09-11 }}
* [http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio Inside the Actors Studio]
* [http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio Inside the Actors Studio]
* [http://www.signaturetheatre.org/ Signature Theatre in New York City]
* [http://www.signaturetheatre.org/ Signature Theatre in New York City]
* [http://www.theactorsstudio.org/ Home]
* [http://www.theactorsstudio.org/ Home - The Actors Studio]
* [http://www.pace.edu/dyson/academic-departments-and-programs/asds] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413133631/http://www.pace.edu/dyson/academic-departments-and-programs/asds/ |date=2012-04-13 }}
* {{Cite web | url=http://www.pace.edu/dyson/academic-departments-and-programs/asds | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413133631/http://www.pace.edu/dyson/academic-departments-and-programs/asds/ | archive-date=2012-04-13 | title=The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University}}
* [http://www.usfoundation.org/UniversalForum.htm Universal Forum of Culture Barcelona 2004]
* [http://www.usfoundation.org/UniversalForum.htm Universal Forum of Culture Barcelona 2004]
* [http://www.theoneill.org/ The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center | Launchpad of American Theater]
* [http://www.theoneill.org/ The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center | Launchpad of American Theater]

Latest revision as of 22:42, 16 December 2024

Richard Kuranda
Introducing In the Heights, at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, New London, Connecticut, US
Occupations

Richard Kuranda is an American director and artist of stage, cinema, and television. In November 2024, he celebrated his 18th anniversary as CEO of the Raue Center for the Arts in Crystal Lake, Illinois, and artistic director of Williams Street Repertory.

In 2018, the Raue Center and Williams Street Rep retired an US$8,800,000 debt under his leadership.[1] While Kuranda served as CEO at Raue, the board negotiated a subsidized lease at $100 per year with a 25-year corporate sponsorship from Home State Bank.[1] This complemented an expansion of the center's physical plant to include a new school and outdoor theater space.<<https://www.rauecenter.org/arts-on-the-green/>>

Richard Kuranda, Gov. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Stratton

In 2005, The New York Times profiled Kuranda's artistic and producing work at the Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theater Center. At the time he was the youngest producing director of a Tony Award–winning theater and had just "turned around" the O'Neill by restoring its national programs.[2] Halfway through his tenure at the O'Neill, Kuranda reversed the board's consolidation of programs, which lead to a rebirth of the O'Neill.[3]

Biography

[edit]

Born in 1969 in northeastern Pennsylvania, Kuranda was educated at the Jesuit Scranton Preparatory School, then attended West Virginia University on a scholarship before enrolling in the actors studio program at the New School University.[4] He studied under Romulus Linney and Arthur Penn, earning two master's degrees.[4] During his studies, he was mentored by Norman Mailer.[4]

Kuranda's first professional film work was as a teenager, discovered by Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Jason Miller. During his youth, Kuranda worked at the Scranton Theater for several years. His first professional theatrical work was at the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival.[5] His film work includes a series of films with Bill Plympton, which are part of the MOMA permanent collection. Kuranda's collaboration with Plympton helped launch the budding New York Underground Film and Video Festival,[6] helmed by Todd Phillips and Andrew Gurland.[7][8] Kuranda's early work at the Actors Studio included, amongst others, a six-month exploration of Oedipus Rex with Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Estelle Parsons. Lloyd Richards, Romulus Linney,[9] Jack Temchin, and Kuranda were chronicled by the Village Voice as defining the Actors Studio Drama School during their tenure of productions at Circle in the Square Theater. Kuranda led the team at Epic Rep during a period of literary adaptations, which included commissioning Romulus Linney to adapt Tim O'Brien's National Book winner Going After Cacciatio.

He is the former producing director of the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. He also served as the center's interim artistic director for the O'Neill and all its programs. Kuranda was asked to lead the National Playwrights Conference and the center in 2004 after Ranelli resigned.[10][11]

The New York Times stated that Kuranda restored confidence in the O'Neill's national programs by adding Michael Bush, Wendy C. Goldberg, and Oz Scott[4] and reversing the decision of the previous leadership to combine all programs under one artistic office.[2] James Houghton supported Kuranda through one of the most exhausting seasons of development.<NYTimes>

He served as the Head of Operations at the Signature Theatre Company under James Houghton.[citation needed] Within a three-year period at the Epic, which he co-founded, Kuranda produced 24 off-Broadway plays, including works by David Auburn, JT Rogers, Romulus Linney, and Lee Blessing.[4] Venues of production included the Dr2, the Peter Norton Space on 42nd Street, the Quintero (formerly the Kaufman), and the Public Theater. Kuranda was a principal at Elliott Associates, having opened doors to film production in his first three film projects.

He also served as an advocate for the United Nations in conjunction with the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona 2004.<New School for Social Research><<https://www.un.org/pga/78/high-level-forum-on-the-culture-of-peace/>>

Kuranda is a lifetime member of The Actors Studio and the former director of professional development for The Actors Studio Drama School at The New School, having replaced the retiring associate dean, Stephen Benedict. Kuranda was recruited from the Signature Theater to come back to the West Village institution by James Lipton. During his tenure at The New School, he led the team to expand the campus with the acquisition of the old Bell Laboratories at Westhbeth, which his team turned into one of the world's most important theater training centers in the world. The history of the space is noteworthy: it was here that the first talking movie, the condenser microphone, the first TV broadcast, and the first binary computer were demonstrated. The program was the third generation of Dramatic Workshop run by Erwin Piscator. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Kuranda served as a mentor to the Kennedy center Arts In Crisis program. He was a member of the visiting committee to West Virginia University (arts) for eight years. Kuranda also served on the Board of the New School as a student representative for three years and as a senior director/representative for four years.[12]

Family

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Kuranda and Alicia Regan met in graduate school in New York City. They worked on over 200 projects together over a 28-year relationship until her passing in 2023. In recent years, Kuranda has focused on his family life and enjoys the small northwestern Crystal Lake, Illinois community.[13][14] He serves locally on several boards. Kuranda also paints, and his work is represented in several gallery shows in the U.S. in 2024.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Schaenzer, Amie (March 9, 2018). "$2.3 Million Donation Pays off Raue Center Debt". Patch.
  2. ^ a b Piepenburg, Erik (February 27, 2005). "Preston Whiteway and Richard Kuranda". The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "O'Neill in Upheaval". Hartford Courant. July 18, 2004.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Richard Kuranda (Executive Director, Founding Artistic Director) - Staff Profile". Raue Center for the Arts. Retrieved September 9, 2024. Click on the "Learn more about Richard" button underneath his picture.
  5. ^ https://www.shakespearenj.org/about-us/history
  6. ^ Grimes, William (March 20, 1996). "A Festival for Films That Defy Convention". The New York Times.
  7. ^ Peden, Lauren David (March 13, 1994). "FILM; Obscure Films Fuel a New Festival". The New York Times.
  8. ^ Everleth, Mike (February 18, 2018). "Flashback: 1994 New York Underground Film Festival". Underground Film Festival. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018.
  9. ^ "Romulus Linney 1991-92 Residency 1 Playwright". Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 16, 2021.
  10. ^ Hernandez, Ernio (July 12, 2004). "J Ranelli Resigns as Artistic Director of Eugene O'Neill Theater Center". Playbill.
  11. ^ "National Playwrights Conference, Informational Landing Page". Eugene O'Neill Theater Center.
  12. ^ "History of Westbeth". Westbeth Artists Community.
  13. ^ "City of Crystal Lake, IL". Archived from the original on July 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Naturally McHenry County". McHenry County.
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