Faust Project In-Class Presentations (Fall 2016)

Playwright Neil Wechsler and composer Nathan Heidelberger will discuss their ongoing collaboration, The Faust Project, an adaptation of both parts of Goethe's Faust. Their focus will be tailored to the interests of each class and will include the adaptation process, particularly the unique challenges that come with trying to condense Goethe's sweeping original—about seventeen hours' worth of theater—down to an eighty-minute presentation for just four actors with musical accompaniment. A close look at a few scenes will highlight their approach and illustrate the central importance of the relationship between Faust and Mephistopheles to the progression of the play. The talk will also touch on the musical component of the project, including a listen to some of Heidelberger's preliminary musical sketches. The final performances of The Faust Project will take place on February 3 and 4, 2017, at the Burchfield Penney Art Center, with support from the UB Creative Arts Initiative.

November 18

Presentation with Heidelberger to Electronic Music Composition I and II classes at Buffalo State College

November 21

Presentation with Heidelberger to UB MUS 400 (Composition Seminar)

Presentation with Wechsler and Heidelberger to UB ENG 199 (Making Shakespeare)

Presentation with Wechsler and Heidelberger to UB ENG 379 (Shakespeare on Film)

November 28

Presentation with Heidelberger to UB MUS 115A (Understanding Music)

Presentation with Heidelberger to UB MUS 115B (Understanding Music)

November 28

Presentation with Heidelberger to UB MUS 115C (Understanding Music)

January 17

Presentation with Wechsler and Heidelberger to students at the Nichols School

Presentation with Wechsler and Heidelberger to students at the Just Buffalo Literary Center