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James N. Wise Studio
On Friday, December 9, 2005, the Department of Theatre faculty, staff, students, emeritus, and administrators gathered together to commemorate the renovation of our performance studio. Thanks to the generosity of James N. Wise ('41), the Wise Studio provides a professional space for our acting and directing classes, a dance floor for rehearsal, as well as a digital media lab for our growing emphasis on digital film production for the actor and director.
James N. Wise, a native of
Akron, Ohio, turned out to be one of Wooster's most accomplished
theatre, television, and radio personalities. Known as a man who had "a
love affair with music," Wise showed his talent early on, playing the
piano by ear and composing music for two student shows as part of the
Gum Shoe Hop, ("Number Please" and "The Goose Steps High") with
James Allardice ('41).
After graduating from the College in 1941, he entered the army, eventually becoming a captain. He served in the United States and Paris, not in a combat position, but doing PR. He was discharged in 1946.
Wise entered Columbia for a MA in 1948. He taught English and Humanities at CCNY, Baruch College from 1946-70 and at Newark College of Engineering (NJIT) from 1955-89.
In 1960 he returned to the College with James Allardice to produce Peacock in the Parlor, a musical comedy spoof of TV. It was also in the early 60s that he began developing an idea for a musical, which he entitled Dames at Sea. Dames at Sea ran off-Broadway during the 1966-67 theatre season and finally found 26 backers to support it for a Broadway debut. It opened in December of 1969, starring Bernadette Peters. Dames at Sea ran for several years on Broadway, has been translated into eight languages, and has had showings in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dublin, Madrid, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Zagreb, Johannesburg, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, and Rio. In 1971 Bell TV produced the show, starring Ann Margaret and Ann Miller. Of course, there have been numerous revivals ever since.
Wise went on to write two additional pieces: Fashion, which had its world premiere at the College in 1973, and later Yankee Ingenuity. He also worked on the Sid Caesar and Jimmy Durante shows.
In 1988 Wise developed Theatre for a New Audience, bringing Shakespeare to High School students in New York City.
While James N. Wise passed away on November 13, 2000, provisions from his estate continue to provide for an endowed visiting faculty position and renovations such as we see here.
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| Updated: February 9, 2006 |
