Marywood University
November 2002
Letter of Recommendation

November, 2002
To Whom It May Concern,
This fall semester the Marywood University Theatre Program was privileged to have The Living Theatre conduct a two week-workshop culminating in a production called A Day in the Life of Marywood. It was a profound educational and personal experience.
As program director I mandated that all theatre majors perform with the ensemble. I, too, joined the ensemble. Four members of The Living Theatre taught us classic improvisational structures from the repertoire of the legendary group. They also conducted lengthy discussions with us about issues we wanted to voice in performance. By combining our ideas and The Living Theatre's improvisational structure, a whole work organically emerged. Some pieces were created by small groups, some were performed by the ensemble. Each of us had an investment in the content of the production and spoke to our peers in the audience.
The significance of the experience is that we are part of the continuum of The Living Theatre. We received their legacy of communicating ideas passionately, expressing with the whole being, challenging our comfort level and asking ourselves to commit to what we believe. Throughout the experience The Living Theatre was sensitive to our personal boundaries, to our community values and to our religious foundation. We were strongly supported by our administration and faculty.
The Living Theatre was a new type of theatre experience for the students, and struggling with the episodic, non-linear style was part of the production process. A Day in the Life of Marywood will be a reference point against which the students will test their growth as individuals and as theatre artists.
As an educator who has known the work of The Living Theatre for the past thirty years, I felt it an honor to have worked work with wonderful members of the company who maintain the spirit of Julian Beck and Judith Malina. I highly recommend that you experience The Living Theatre.
Sincerely,

Dr. Paulette Merchel,
Theatre Program Director
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