Harvard-Radcliffe Summer Theatre 2016 Application

Ben Cort and Liz Kantor

Name: Ben Cort
Year: 2018
Concentration: Molecular and Cellular Biology
E-mail: bgcort@gmail.com
Position: Director

Name: Liz Kantor

Year: 2018
Concentration: Neurobiology
E-mail: eterrykantor@college.harvard.edu
Position: Music Director

Conflicts: Both of us will most likely hold a lab position during the day
Relevant Experience: Please see our attached resumes
Differences: We understand that HRST runs differently from HRDC. In HRDC, there is the opportunity
for small cast shows with large budgets, and we know this is not the case for HRST, which is a self
supporting entity. Its important for us to include as many people as possible, while also keeping the cost
of the show down, which are not restrictions that are usually in place for HRDC. We plan on being as
hands on with the rehearsal process as we would be during term-time. Having both participate in last
summers HRST production, we understand both the differences in actor time commitment and in scope
of the production, and we are looking forward to mounting this inclusive and timely show!
Directors Statement
Towards the beginning of Stephen Schwartzs Godspell, one of the characters addressing god sings that
she will love thee more dearly. This is part of the specific moment in which one of the characters
quotes Richard of Chichesters prayer: Day by day three things things I pray: to see thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly, follow thee more nearly. The line that weve pulled, however, is particularly
striking because we feel it encapsulates the show so beautifully. To love thee more dearly. At its root,
Godspell is a show about love. Love for God, love for friends, and love for your community. Love for
silver that leads Judas to betray Jesus. The last two seasons at HRDC have tackled some incredibly
important issues, including mental health, racism and celebration of race, womens issues, and many
others. In addition to addressing these topics, we feel its necessary to have moments of levity to remind
everyone of the light theatre is capable of bringing to our communities. Godspell is masterful in its
ability to address these deeply heavy topics of faith, betrayal, and belonging, while also providing neverending feel good moments. So much of dialogue proceeds through fun storytelling, and so much of the
music is bright and uplifting. In Bens words, its a lot of good gosh darn fun.
In our production of Gospell we hope to expressly highlight the theme of inclusivity and love of
community by building a large and strong community within the cast. The show is structured in such a
way that allows for people comfortable in many different facets of theatre to be involved. There are
plentiful opportunities for people who act, sing, do both - anything!
Godspell would fit naturally into the space of the Ex and make use of some of its delightfully unique
characteristics. Our set requirements would be minimal, as the show can even operate successfully on an
empty stage! The audience of Godspell is at times as much a part of the show as the cast and crew are,
and the Ex provides an excellent opportunity to play up this facet of the show. In many ways, we see each
show as an opportunity to share with the audience the community that we have built, inviting them to
laugh and learn with us through each performance and leave with the same feelings of warmth and joy
that the disciples possess by the finale.
We believe that HRST is the perfect vehicle for our production of Godspell. Away from the hustle and
bustle of school we will have ample time to forge the close cast connections that the show requires, and
the shows infectious music, upbeat energy, and big laughs will be a shoo-in for large crowds looking for
end-of-summer entertainment. Godspell is a show about finding a place for oneself among a community
of disparate individuals, and we are eager to share our vision, and our love, with the Cambridge
community this summer.

Ben Cort
12 Hall Avenue, Watertown, MA 02472
339-368-1781 (cell); bgcort@gmail.commailto:bgcort@gmail.com
mailto:bgcort@gmail.com

Education

Harvard University, class of 2018

Technical Experience

2009 2013 Cambridge School of Weston


Director
Doctor Horribles Sing Along Blog, Angel City


Sound Designer
Ran sound for three school dance concerts and organized other tech crew
members.


Set Crew
Helped design and build sets for four years of shows, including Street
Scene, Doctor Faustus Lights the Lights, Dido and Aeneas, and
Midsummer Night's Dream among others.

2014 2015 Harvard University


Sound Designer
Sound design for Wastelanders and Son Also Rises.


Set Designer
Set design for Son Also Rises.

Acting Experience
2009 2013 Cambridge School of Weston
Street Scene (Willy), Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (Mephistopheles), Chess
(Malokov), Once On This Island (Armand), Midsummer Nights Dream
(Bottom)

2014 2015 Harvard University
Mad Forest (Radu), Another Sky (G.R.), First Day of School (David)

Other Skills

Flute, juggling, climbing

Liz Kantor

MUSIC
Composition/Orchestrations
SHE
Beyond Words (NYMF)
Soundbytes w/Brian Lowdermilk
The Odyssey
Mike and MicahWoods
Getting the Girl

OBERON
Theater 3
Adams Pool Theater
Harvard Dance Center
Loeb Ex
Leverett Library Theater

Karen Chee, dir.

Brandon Powell, dir.
O. Munk/T. Vandick, dirs.
M. McCavana/L. Melampy, dirs.
Karen Chee, dir.
Ally Kiley, dir.

OBERON
Greene Theater at Emerson
Loeb Ex
Leverett Library Theater

Karen Chee, dir.

Jake Catsaros, dir.
Karen Chee, dir.
Ally Kiley, dir.

Music Direction/Conducting
SHE
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Mike and MicahWoods
Getting the Girl

DANCE
Choreography
Avenue Q
The Odyssey
Exposure
Drood
Curtains
The Great Gatsby

OBERON
Harvard Dance Center
Farkas Hall
Centerstage Drama
Centerstage Drama
Centerstage Drama

Jake Stepasnky, dir.

M. McCavana/L. Melampy, dirs.
L. McCaull/M. Ko, dirs.
Cristina Farruggia, dir.
Cristina Farruggia, dir.
Cristina Farruggia, dir.

Loeb Mainstage
Farkas Hall
New Generation Theater
Helen Hayes Theater
Helen Hayes Theater
Helen Hayes Theater

Joey Longstreet, dir.

Ally Kiley, dir.
Justin Boccitto, dir.
Mark Longergan, dir.
Mark Longergan, dir.
Mark Longergan, dir.

Dance Captain
Nine
Bat Boy
Hairspray
Legally Blonde
Avenue Q
Spring Awakening

SELECTED PERFORMANCE
First Day of School
Susan
Arts @ 29 Garden
Crystals
Angel
Loeb Ex
Middletown
Various
Loeb Mainstage
Bat Boy
Ron/Maggie
Farkas Hall
Hairspray
Tracy
New Generation Theater
[title of show]**
Heidi
Helen Hayes Theater
Anything Goes
Reno
Helen Hayes Theater
Little Women
Marmee
Helen Hayes Theater
Into the Woods
Bakers Wife
Helen Hayes Theater
**Original non-Actors Equity Association cast

Julia Belanoff, dir.

Aislinn Brophy, dir.
Ally Kiley, dir.
Ally Kiley, dir.
Justin Boccitto, dir.
Bryan Jager, dir.
Amy Griffin, dir.
Amy Griffin, dir.
Amy Griffin, dir.

Jazz
Comtemporary/Lyrical
Tap
Theatre Dance
Hip Hop
Ballet/Pointe
Acting
Voice

Mary Ann Lamb

Michelle Barber
Chris Bailey/Julie Garofolo
Bill Hastings
Kadee Jacobsen
Allison Lister/Michelle Lucci
David Hibbard
Celeste Simone

TRAINING
Coup Theatre Studio
Broadway Dance Center
Coup Theatre Studio
Coup Theatre Studio
Coup Theatre Studio
Coup Theatre Studio
Coup Theatre Studio
Celeste Simone Voice