Newsmakers

American theater and opera director and cofounder of SITI Company Anne Bogart ’74 was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame on November 17. In order to receive the award, the only nationally recognized hall of fame honoring lifetime achievement in the American theater, the awardee must have given 25 years distinguished service to the American theater and at least five major production credits on Broadway. Bogart, who studied drama and dance at Bard and received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from the College in 2014, teaches at Columbia University, where she is a professor and head of the directing concentration.

In December 2022, Bard’s Fisher Center presented the world premiere of SITI Company’s reimagining of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, codirected by Anne Bogart and Tony Award winner Darron L West. The work, commissioned by the Fisher Center, was the final production in SITI Company’s 30th anniversary “Finale Season.” 

Bard’s Theater and Performance Program offers an interdisciplinary, liberal arts-based approach to the making and study of theater and performance, and embraces a wide range of performance practices, from live art and interactive installation to classical theater from around the globe.

Composer and Bard alumnus Prokhor Protasov MM-Conducting ’20 has been announced as the winner of the Peace Symphony Concours, a conducting award conferred by County Hall Arts for works written as a musical representation of and inspiration for humanity's quest for global peace. “We appreciated Prokhor’s melodic gift and how his symphony explores humanity’s search for peace in a fractured world—tracing a journey from grief and cruelty toward hope and reconciliation across its four movements,” said County Hall Arts. The charity received 83 entries in total and commissioned a short-list of gifted composers, including Prokhor, to create symphonies to illustrate the pursuit of peace.

“I am deeply grateful for County Hall Arts’ trust and for the extraordinary opportunity to compose an orchestral work on such an important theme—one which I feel a personal connection to,” Protasov said. “At a time when division and indifference prevail, the values of humanity, reconciliation, and compassion cannot be overstated. I hope that my art may offer consolation and support to those seeking it.”

The mission of the Bard College Conservatory of Music is to provide the best possible preparation for a person dedicated to a life immersed in the creation and performance of music.

On Monday, November 17, Bard College Margaret and John Bard Society members, staff, and students gathered in New York City for this year’s annual luncheon. The special occasion serves as a heartfelt recognition of the generous contributions made by members through their estate plans. Their forward-thinking and commitment to Bard College's mission not only enrich the lives of current students but also ensure a vibrant future for generations to come. Bard is deeply appreciative of the generosity and foresight that the members of the Margaret and John Bard Society have, and their belief in Bard’s mission and their commitment to future planning are instrumental in fostering a nurturing environment for both students and faculty alike.

“It is always wonderful to welcome and bring together so many generations of Bardians,” said Debra Pemstein, vice president of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs. “Margaret and John Bard Society members help the College plan for a vibrant future with their generosity.”
 

Bard College alumna Leslie Kean ’73 has coauthored an article in the New York Times about The Age of Disclosure, a film in which 34 former and current senior members of US government, military and intelligence groups discuss what they can disclose about unidentified aerial phenomena, also known as UAP or UFOs. The controversial documentary—which debuted at South by Southwest earlier this year to mixed reactions—was screened for a bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives, who later discussed their support for legislation to increase transparency. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, did not attend but sent a statement calling for greater transparency and saying she would work to “reduce the stigma around reporting, strengthen our national security, and ensure UAP records are being properly disclosed.”

Bard College has concluded a month-long celebration honoring our exceptional Student Scholars and the generous donors who support their educational journeys. In line with National Scholarship Month, the Office of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs shared inspiring testimonials from our students, illustrating how their Bard experiences have profoundly shaped both their academic and personal lives. A standout moment of the month was the Annual Scholarship Reception, where faculty and staff united to applaud the significant influence scholarships have on our students’ lives. One student spoke of the opportunities given to them at Bard, saying, "Everybody here has really enriched me and helped me in my journey and my educational journey—my journey as a person—and I’m just very grateful overall.”

Speeches from faculty and institutional leaders, including President Leon Botstein, reinforced the critical importance of philanthropy in enriching the educational landscape at Bard. This gathering served as a powerful reminder of our shared commitment to education and the incredible impact of generosity, creating a night filled with gratitude, and connection.

Learn more about Giving at Bard:
giving.bard.edu/donor-impact/
giving.bard.edu/scholarships/
giving.bard.edu/stories-of-impact/