The Vassar College/New York Stage and Film summer theater season continues with a workshop presentation of ‘Discovery of America’ by Arthur Kopit at the Susan Stein Shiva Theater on the Vassar College campus from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7.

The Vassar College/New York Stage and Film summer theater season continues with a workshop presentation of "Discovery of America" by Arthur Kopit at the Susan Stein Shiva Theater on the Vassar College campus from Friday, July 5, through Sunday, July 7.

From the author of "Wings," and based on the journals of 16th century Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, this sweeping tale of historic arrogance and transformation imagines a meeting between the Spanish conquistadors and the native Americans.

In addition to "Wings," Kopit is the author of "Oh Dad, Poor Dad, Mamma's Hung You in the Closet and I'm Feelin' So Sad"; "Indians"; "End of the World with Symposium to Follow"; "Road to Nirvana" (first produced at the Humana Festival under the title "Bone-the-Fish"); a new translation of Ibsen's "Ghosts"; numerous one-act plays; and the book for the musicals "Nine," which won a Tony Award for Best Musical in 1982. His current projects include an original musical, "Tom Swift and the Secrets of the Universe," for which he is writing the book (music and lyrics by Maury Yeston); and an original film, "Stealing Father." Among his numerous awards are a Shaw Travelling Fellowship, a Guggenheim, a Rockefeller grant, and an Award in Literature from the American Institute of Arts and Letters.

Rebecca Taichman, director of the Obie Award-winning "Menopausal Gentleman," will direct "Discovery" at Vassar. Taichman recently directed "Iphigeneia at Aulis" at the Yale Repertory Theater.

Continuing this season, the Susan Stein Shiva Theater will house special presentations of "The Violence Project" conceived and directed by Elizabeth Swados (Friday, July 19-Sunday, July 21), and Edwin Sanchez's "Diosa" (Friday, August 2-Sunday, August 4).

Since its founding in 1985, the Powerhouse theater program at Vassar College has fostered emerging artists, produced new works by some of the nation's most innovative young playwrights, and trained aspiring actors, directors, and designers for theater careers. This is Vassar's 18th collaboration with New York Stage and Film.

Single ticket prices for Susan Stein Shiva Theater Special Presentations are $15. Season tickets are also available. For more information call the box office at (845) 437-7235 or 5599. Call the Special Info Line at (845) 437-7645 or visit the Web site at http://powerhouse.vassar.edu/.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Friday, July 5th, 2002.