Study Guide - Blinn College

Blinn College Division of Visual and Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program-Brenham

By John Logan

Resource Guide This resource guide serves as an educational starting point to understanding and enjoying John Logan’s Red. With this in mind, please note that the interpretations of the theatrical

work may differ from the original source content.

Directed by Bradley A. Nies Technical Theatre Direction by Kevin Patrick Costume, Make-Up and Hair Design by Jennifer Patrick

Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play 2013 Theatre Faculty Showcase Featuring Technical Theatre Arts Director, Kevin Patrick Produced by Special Arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc. Public Performances September 5, 6, 7 September 8

7 p.m. 2 p.m.

High School Preview Performances September 5 & 6

1 p.m.

Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center Auditorium Brenham, Texas For reservations, please email the O’Donnell Performing Arts Center Box Office at [email protected] or call 979-830-4024

Synopsis Taking place in the late 1950s, this touching drama tells the story of American artist Mark Rothko who is commissioned to paint a series of murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant. But when his assistant, Ken, gains the confidence to challenge him, Rothko faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement could also become his undoing.

Mark Rothko Although Mark Rothko was born in Dvinsk, Russian in 1903, he is considered one of the most well known American artists of Abstract Expressionism. In 1913, he and his family came to the United States where Rothko took an interest in political and social issues. He attended Yale University in 1921, but withdrew two years later when he decided to go to New York to become a painter. There, he joined an artists’ group known as the Ten; a group of modern artists that included such greats as Adolph Gottlieb, Louis Harris, Ben-Zion, and Joseph Salmon.

Throughout his life, Rothko suffered from depression, and in 1970 he took his own life. At the time of his death, Rothko had a sole exhibition showcase of his most famous pieces in New York’s Museum of Modern Art. There were also many other museums around the world where his art was proudly displayed. Although his career came to an end quickly, Rothko is viewed as one of the leading artists in the world of abstractionist work and abstract painting. His modern approaches remained in effect for several decades following his death, and his works changed the way the world looked at art.

Red by John Logan John Logan’s award-winning play Red was originally produced by the Donmar Warehouse in London. This 90-minute drama starred two-time Tony Award nominee Alfred Molina as Mark Rothko and breakthrough British star Eddie Redmayne as Ken. After sell-out performances in London’s West End, the work was brought to New York and opened to rave reviews at the John Golden Theatre on April 1, 2010. It was the recipient of six Tony Awards for that year, including Best Play.

Artists Mentioned in Red The following is a list of artists that Rothko mentions throughout the play. In his attempts to influence Ken, he states, “You cannot be an artist until you are civilized. You cannot be civilized until you learn.” Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn-Dutch painter associated with the Dutch Golden Age and Baroque movements.

J.M.W. Turner-English painter associated with Romanticism. Michelangelo Buonarroti-Italian Sculptor, painter, architect, and poet. Henri Matisse-French painter and sculptor associated with the Fauvists. Jackson Pollock-American painter and sculptor associated with Abstract Expressionism. Pablo Picasso-Spanish painter, sculptor, and graphic artist who developed Cubism. Salvador Dali-Spanish painter of the Surrealist movement. Willem De Kooning-U.S . painter on the leading edge of Abstract Expressionism.

Barnett Newman-An important figure in color-field painting. Eduoard Manet-French painter who adopted a Realistic approach to his work. Diego Velazquez-Spanish painter who was the leading artist in the court of King Phillip IV. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio-Italian painter influential from late Mannerism to Baroque. Vincent van Gogh-Dutch painter known for his Post-Impressionist work.

Jasper Johns-U.S. painter, sculptor, and print maker. Frank Stella-U.S. painter and important figure In Minimalism. Robert Rauschenberg-U.S. artist who incorporated three-dimensional objects in his paintings. Roy Lichtenstein-U.S. painter and sculptor on the leading edge of Pop Art. Andy Warhol-U.S. painter, graphic artist, and film maker. Also a major figure in the Pop Art movement. Pieter Bruegel– Flemish painter known for landscapes and peasant scenes. Jan Vermeer-Dutch painter known for painting domestic genre scenes.

Sources Ashton, D. (2003). About Rothko. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press. Bazzell, J. (2006) Red Play Guide. Phoenix and Tucson, AZ: Arizona Theatre Company: The State Theatre. Internet Source, www.donmarwarehouse.com, “Red Listing,” 2010. Internet Source, www.oac.cdlib.org, James E.B. Breslin Research Archieve on Mark Rothko, 2006. Internet Source, www.playbill.com, Gans, A. (2010). “Red, Memphis, Bridge, Fences and La Cage Win Drama Desk Awards." Internet Source, www.tonyawards.com, “Who’s Nominated?”, IBM Corp., 2010. Gans, Andrew." playbill.com, May 23, 2010