Conversations in the Arts: David Cromer

Award winning theater director and alumnus David Cromer returned to campus on February 23 as featured guest in Columbia College Chicago's Conversation's in the Arts series. Currently living in New York City, Cromer spent most of his career in Chicago and also taught at Columbia College until 2008. Interviewed by Chris Jones, chief theater critic for the Chicago Tribune, Cromer said that he still considers Chicago home since it shaped his life and directing style.

This spring, he directs a Broadway revival of The House of Blue Leaves with Ben Stiller, Edie Falco, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, opening in April. He follows that by directing The Sweet Bird of Youth with Nicole Kidman this fall.

Cromer was named as one of the 2010 MacAuthur Fellow's for his achievements as a theater director and actor. As a fellow, Cromer is viewed by the John D. and Catherine T. MacAuthur Foundation as a talented, creative artist who shows promise in the continuation of his work in his field.

In the 1980s Cromer attended Columbia College Chicago and later taught acting and directing. After teaching, he moved to New York to produce the musical adaptation of The Adding Machine, which received six Lucille Lortel Award nominations and won for Outstanding Musical. These photos are from the post-event reception where donors mingled with Cromer before he headed back to rehearsals in New York. 

Photo Gallery

*Photos by beckermedia.com