DIRECTING BIO
Over
the last 25 years, Joe Banno has established himself as an innovative, critically
acclaimed director. In work that has
been called “joltingly powerful”, “audacious” and “engagingly freewheeling”, he
has brought his unique vision to more than 100 productions spanning classical
and modern theatre, opera, musicals and film.
From
1997 through 2006, Banno served as artistic director of Washington, DC’s
groundbreaking Source Theatre Company, where he nurtured the development of new
scripts and directed works by a who’s-who of contemporary American playwrights,
including a multi-year cycle of plays by David Mamet.
Celebrated
for his culturally relevant updating of classic plays, Banno’s Shakespeare
productions have been seen at the Folger Theatre (where his staging of “Romeo
and Juliet” won him a Helen Hayes Award for his direction), Washington
Shakespeare Company, and the American Shakespeare Center (for a twice-extended,
year-long run of “King Lear”).
Known
as well for his work in musical theatre, Banno’s production of “Evita” – a
collaborative project between Open Circle Theatre’s company of
artists-with-disabilities and the Liz lerman Dance Exchange – was a critical
and popular hit. His world-premiere
staging of “Executive Leverage” at Source received a Helen Hayes Award
nomination for Outstanding Musical.
Banno’s
productions at DC-Area theatres have, to date, been nominated for 32
prestigious Helen Hayes Awards, and have won 8 of them. Banno is also the recipient of the Mary
Goldwater Theatre Lobby Award and the Bud Yorkin Award, both for excellence in
directing.
Equally
at home in the world of opera – with over 30 productions to his credit – Banno’s recent successes with “The Marriage of
Figaro” for Opera Delaware, “Otello” for Washington Summer Opera, “Sweeney
Todd” with Wolf Trap Opera company and “La Tragedie de Carmen” at the Alba
Music Festival (in Northern Italy) have reconfirmed him as a challenging and
original interpreter of the artform.
Banno’s
work has been seen on stages across the U. S., including productions at Mutineer
Theatre (LA), Blue Heron Theatre and Opera Northeast (NYC), Renaissance
Theatreworks (Milwaukee), Theatre J (DC), Adventure Theatre (MD), Aurora Opera
(VA), and Marin Opera (Northern California).
Having
recently begun taking on film projects, Banno completed his first independent
feature, “Sleeping and Waking”, in 2008 (currently available on DVD and through
Netflix), and has a Shakespeare-based film project in development, scheduled to
shoot next year.
A
frequent acting coach, guest lecturer, conference panelist, competition judge and
theatre consultant, Banno has also served as general manager for a NYC-based
classical radio station, headed a new-works funding initiative for Opera
America and, for two years, co-hosted the official U.S. telecast of the Golden
Globe Awards to the Arab world on Alhurra television. He has contributed reviews and articles on
music and film to a number of publications, including Washington City Paper,
where he was the opera critic from 1989 to 2008. He has been a classical music critic for The
Washington Post since 1993, and for TheClassicalReview.com since 2009.
Recent credits include new
plays at Virginia’s incubator for original scripts, Studio Roanoke, a new
punk-rock musical at Catholic University’s School of Drama, and a double-bill
of the operas “Pagliacci” and “Maria La O” for DC’s innovative
theatre/music/dance collective, The In Series.
Last year, he guest-lectured in Pulitzer-Prize winner Tim Page’s seminar
at USC’s Annenberg School of Journalism.
And, earlier this year, he began directing an internet video series with
nutritionist Janis Jibrin, for the website TheBestLife.com, ranging from
interviews to cooking programs to on-site restaurant features. Coming up, Banno will be directing a new
musical-revue of 1940s songs by émigré Hollywood composers, “From Berlin to
Sunset”, for The In Series, and a production of “The Magic Flute” for Opera
Delaware.
CONTEMPORARY THEATRE
SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
(ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, 1997-2006; ASSOC ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, 1996-97;
GUEST DIRECTOR, 1983-1996)
(SELECTED LIST FROM OVER 40 PRODUCTIONS, AS DIRECTOR)
DARK MATTERS (NEW WORK, 2003) LOMAN FAMILY PICNIC (1996)
MUCKLE MAN (NEW WORK, 2001) THE WOODS (1994)
INTIMATE EXCHANGES (2001) THE EIGHT (1994)
A LIFE IN THE THEATRE (2001) RED SCARE ON SUNSET (1992)
AMERICAN BUFFALO (2001) EASTERN STANDARD (1990)
CLOSER (2000) PRIVATE WARS (1988)
EDMOND (1999) LOOT (1987)
PSYCHOPATHIA SEXUALIS (1997) THE DINING ROOM (1986)
A CHEEVER EVENING (1996) GROWN-UPS (1984)
OTHER THEATRES
ELVIS BLOSSOM (NEW WORK, 2010) STUDIO ROANOKE, VA
NGALA MUTI (NEW WORK, 2010) CATHOLIC UNIV, SCH OF DRAMA, DC
DEAR ABE (NEW WORK, 2009) STUDIO ROANOKE, VA
LIE WITH ME (NEW WORK, 2009) MUTINEER THEATRE, LA
F.U. (FORGIVE US) (NEW WORK, 2008) CHARTER THEATRE, DC
KAFKA’S DICK (2007) WASHINGTON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, VA
LOVE AND YEARNING…. (NEW WORK, 2001) THEATRE J, DC
CHESAPEAKE (2001) RENAISSANCE THEATREWORKS, WI
PRIVATE EYES (1999) SOURCE THEATRE AT ARENA STAGE, DC
RESCUERS (NEW WORK 1995) BLUE HERON, NYC/HOLOCAUST MUS, DC
WHATEVER IT IS, I’M AGAINST IT (NEW WORK, 1993) THEATRE J, DC
THE SNOW LEOPARD (NEW WORK 1984) QUAIGH THEATRE, NYC
THE INDIAN WANTS THE BRONX (1984) 13th STREET THEATRE, NYC
SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTIONS
ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL (2008) WASHINGTON SHKSPR CO, VA
EDWARD III (2007) WASHINGTON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, VA
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (2006) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
THE COMEDY OF ERRORS (2004) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
TITUS ANDRONICUS (2004) WASHINGTON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, VA
KING LEAR (2003) AMERICAN SHAKESPEARE CENTER, VA
MACBETH (2001) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
THE TEMPEST (2000) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
HAMLET (1999) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
TROILUS AND CRESSIDA (1999) WASHINGTON SHKSPR CO, VA
PERICLES (1998)* WASHINGTON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, VA
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (1998) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
ROMEO AND JULIET (1997) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
CYMBELINE (1996) WASHINGTON SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, VA
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE (1995) FOLGER THEATRE, DC
TWELFTH NIGHT (1985) SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
TIMON OF ATHENS (1984) RIVERSIDE SHKSPR/BARD-A-THON, NYC
*(PHOTO AND DISCUSSION OF PRODUCTION IN “THE ARDEN SHAKESPEARE PERICLES”; THIRD EDITION; ED., SUZANNE GOSSETT; P. 98-102)
CLASSIC & PERIOD PLAYS
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST (2000) SOURCE THEATRE CO, DC
THE CHERRY ORCHARD (1998) SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES (1998) REP STAGE, MD
DUROV AND HIS PIG (1992) CHURCH STREET THEATRE, DC
THE ART OF SUCCESS (1991) SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
DON JUAN OF SEVILLE (1989) SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
TARTUFFE (1988) SOURCE THEATRE COMPANY, DC
ENDGAME (1983) GEORGETOWN THEATRE COMPANY, DC
OPERA PRODUCTIONS
(SELECTED LIST FROM OVER 30 PRODUCTIONS, AS STAGE DIRECTOR)
PAGLIACCI/MARIA LA O (2011) THE IN SERIES, DC
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO (2009) OPERA DELAWARE, DE
LA TRAGEDIE DE CARMEN (2008) ALBA MUSIC FESTIVAL, ITALY
HANSEL & GRETEL (2007) AURORA OPERA THEATRE, VA
SIX DEGREES OF HAMLET (2007) MUSICA APERTA AT SHAKESPEARE TH, DC
COSI FAN TUTTE (2006) AURORA OPERA THEATRE, VA
SWEENEY TODD (2005) WOLF TRAP OPERA,VA
ARIAS & BARCAROLLES/TROUBLE IN TAHITI (2005) ALBA MUSIC FEST, IT
THE MAGIC FLUTE (2005 & 2006) THE IN SERIES, DC
DIE WINTERREISE (2005) THE IN SERIES, DC
OTELLO (2004) SUMMER OPERA THEATRE, DC
RE: NEW (2004) MUSICA APERTA AT SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, DC
DON GIOVANNI (2002 & 2003) HE IN SERIES, DC
DIDO AND AENEAS (2002) SALUZZO MUSIC FESTIVAL, ITALY
LA CLEMENZA DI TITO (1997) THE IN SERIES, DC
CANDIDE (1994) OPERA AMERICANA, VA
A WRINKLE IN TIME (1994) AURORA OPERA THEATRE, VA
THE TENDER LAND (1993) THE OTHER OPERA COMPANY, MD
COSI FAN TUTTE (1993) THE OTHER OPERA COMPANY, MD
AMELIA AL BALLO/L’ENFANT PRODIGUE(1992) AURORA OPERA THEATRE, VA
LA TRAVIATA (1989) MARIN OPERA, CA
THE FAIRY QUEEN (1985) THE OPERA COMPANY, NYC
RELATED OPERA WORK
CLASSICAL REVIEWER (CURRENT, SINCE 1993) WASHINGTON POST, DC
CLASSICAL REVIEWER (CURRENT, SINCE 1993) TheClassicalReview.COM
OPERA CRITIC (CURRENT, SINCE 1989) WASHINGTON CITY PAPER, DC
HOST/INTERV, EVENING W/JAMES CONLON (2007) FOLGER TH, DC
DIRECTOR, DAS RHEINGOLD, WORKSHOP STAGING (2003) SOURCE TH, DC
RESIDENT STAGE DIRECTOR (2003-2007) MUSICA APERTA, DC
GUEST LECTURER, ACTING FOR OP SNGRS (2001) SALUZZO MUS FEST, IT
DIRECTOR, POPPEA, WRKSHP STAGING (1989) CAROL DYK STUDIO, SF
PROJ DIR, OP FOR THE 80’S AND BEYOND (1987-1988) OP AMERICA, DC
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR (1983-87) THE OPERA COMPANY, NYC
GENERAL MANAGER (1983-1984) WFUV-FM (CLASSICAL RADIO), NYC
ASST DIRECTOR, FRANKENSTEIN (WORLD PREMIERE, 1982) L I UNIV, NY
MUSICAL THEATRE
REQUIEM (new rock-musical, 2011) CATHOLIC UNIV, SCH OF DRAMA, DC
SPOT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY (new children's musical, 2011) ADVENTURE TH, MD
SIX DEGREES OF HAMLET (2007) MUSICA APERTA AT SHAKESPEARE TH, DC
EVITA (2006) OPEN CIRCLE THEATRE, DC/LIZ LERMAN DANCE, MD
SWEENEY TODD (2005) WOLF TRAP OPERA COMPANY, VA
RE: NEW (2004) MUSICA APERTA AT SHAKESPEARE THEATRE, DC
CANDIDE (1994) OPERA AMERICANA, VA
IN TROUSERS (1993) SOURCE THEATRE CO, DC
EXECUTIVE LEVERAGE (NEW WORK, 1992) SOURCE THEATRE CO, DC
A FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (1992) DOWNTOWN CABARET THEATRE, CT
SIX WOMEN WITH BRAIN DEATH (1991) RAZOR’S EDGE THEATRE, DC
A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE (1991) THEATRE J, DC
CAROUSEL (NATIONAL TOUR, 1989) OPERA NORTHEAST, NYC
PIANO PLAYER…. (NEW WORK, 1985) PALSSON’S SUPPER CLUB, NYC
SKYE (new children's musical, 1983) 13th STREET THEATRE, NYC
FILM AND VIDEO
DIRECTOR -- JANIS JIBRIN'S NUTRITION VIDEO BLOG
(Bi-Monthly, 3-Minute
Web-Videos; Current) TheBestLife.COM
webcast videos
featuring nutritionist Janis Jibrin, ranging from
Interviews to cooking
programs to on-site restaurant reviews.
DIRECTOR – SLEEPING AND WAKING
(88-minutes; Hi-Definition Video; Completed 2008) Tontine Films, DC
DIRECTOR – UNTITLED SHAKESPEARE PROJECT
(In development; Sched for production, 2010) Josh Finn, Brian Joe, Prods, LA
CO-DIRECTOR – CYMBELINE
(150 minutes; broadcast video; 1996) Arlington Cable Television, VA
Directed stage production; Advised director on camera coverage of
stage production during live, 3-camera shoot.
CREATIVE CONSULTANT – BIGGER FISH
(30-minutes; 35mm Film; 1995) Second-Hand Smoke Productions, LA
Created storyboards; Devised shot-lists; Contributed script rewrites,
changes in editing and sound editing. (Bigger Fish won multiple awards
at US festivals.)
CO-DIRECTOR – CHICKEN STEW
(30 minutes; broadcast video; 1995) Arlington Cable Television, VA
Adapted theatrical source material into video shooting script;
Created storyboards; Cast and directed talent; Co-directed 3-camera,
multi-location shoot.
CO-DIRECTOR – COSI FAN TUTTE
(180-minutes; broadcast video; 1993) Arlington Cable Television, VA
Directed stage production; Advised director on camera coverage of
stage production during live, 3-camera shoot.
ON-CAMERA
CO-HOST – THE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS, MIDDLE-EAST TELECAST
(Exclusive US Telecast to Mid-East, 2005-06) Alhurra TV Network, VA
EDUCATION
MFA, DIRECTING (1983) CARNEGIE-MELLON UNIVERSITY, PA
(WINNER, YORKIN AWARD IN DIRECTING – HEDDA GABLER, 1983)
(TEACHING FELLOW, ACTING FOR OPERA SINGERS)
(THEATRE AND OPERA FACULTY: MICHAEL ABBENSETTS, BARBARA & CLETUS
ANDERSON, YOSSI ISRAELI, BEATRICE KREBS, MILDRED MILLER, MEL SHAPIRO)
BA, ENGLISH AND THEATRE (1981) GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, DC
SHAKESPEARE STUDIES (1984) BRITISH-AMERICAN DRAMA ACAD, UK
(YALE UNIV SCHOOL OF DRAMA AT BALLIOL COLLEGE, OXFORD UNIV)
(FACULTY – MARIA AITKEN, BEN BENISON, EARLE GISTER, ADRIAN NOBLE,
TOBY ROBERTSON, SIMON WILLIAMS)
PERFORMANCE/DRAMATURGY (1979) NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, NYC
(FACULTY – R.G. DAVIS, THEODOR HOFFMANN, CHARLES LUDLUM, ALAN SCHNEIDER,
MEL SHAPIRO)
FILM/ VIDEO TRAINING
16mm PROD/POST-PROD (Arnold Eagle;1980) SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS, NYC
MULTI-CAMERA VIDEO PROD (1980) GLOBAL VILLAGE VIDEO, NYC
8mm PROD/POST-PROD (Frank Galati; 1979) THE NEW SCHOOL, NYC
SINGLE-CAM VIDEO PROD/POST-PROD (1979) THE NEW SCHOOL, NYC
FILM SEMIOTICS & CRITICISM (Joel E. Siegal; 1978) GEORGETOWN U, DC
[EXPANDED LISTINGS OF CREDITS AND EXTENDED PRESS CLIPS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.]
202-462-8010 (H) BANNOMAN@AOL.COM 202-294-5632 (C)
