Fred Curchack

M.A. - Theatre Arts
Queens College, New York, Theatre - 1972

B.A. - Theatre Arts
Queens College - 1970

HS - Drama
H.S. of Performing Arts - NY - 1964

Original Publications

• Stuff As Dreams: My Work In Theatre
• Synthesis: An Idiot's Guide to Death and Rebirth. Wrote, directed, designed, composed music and sound design, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2010
• The Great Eastern Sun Trilogy – excerpts from: Milarepa, Monkey: The Quest to the West, and Noh: Angels, Demons and Dreamers In celebration of UTD's 40th Anniversary. Wrote, directed, designed, composed music and performed (with Laura Jorgensen), University of Texas at Dallas. 2009.
•  Sacred Laughter. Wrote, directed, and performed in commedia vignettes (for 5 actors) accompanying Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle with the Arts District Chorale. Dallas Museum of Art. 2009.
•  Milarepa. Wrote, directed, designed, composed music and performed (with Laura Jorgensen), Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2009. Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas, Texas. 2010.
•  Monkey: The Quest to the West. Adaptation of The Journey to the West. Wrote, directed, composed music, and performed (with Laura Jorgensen), Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California; Undermain Theatre, Dallas, Texas; Texas Women's University, Denton, Texas, Sixth Street Playhouse, Santa Rosa, California. 2008. Green Gulch Farm of the S.F. Zen Center. 2009.Wrote and directed student ensemble version of Monkey: The Quest to the West. The University of Texas at Dallas. 2008.
•  Four Shakespeare Adaptations. Lecture-demonstration at the Bristol Repertory Theatre, Bristol, Pennsylvania. 2008.
•  Noh: Angels, Demons & Dreamers. Wrote adaptations, directed, composed music, and performed (with Laura Jorgensen), adaptations of five Japanese Noh plays and Kyogen. “Top Ten of 2007” – The Dallas Morning News. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California; NohSpace, San Francisco; The Dance Palace, Point Reyes, California; Undermain Theatre, Dallas. 2007.
•  Freddy's Chicken Gumbo. Wrote, composed music, and performed an evening of original songs. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2006.
•  An American Dream Play. Wrote, made video, and directed student ensemble version adapted from Strindberg's, A Dream Play. The University of Texas at Dallas. 2006. Performed duo version (with Laura Jorgensen) of An American Dream Play, adapted from Strindberg's, A Dream Play. Cinnabar Theatre, Petaluma, California. 2006.
• Sexual Myth-Stories. Scenes from: Orpheus in Hollywood; Live Love Acts; Dionysos Does Dallas. Wrote, directed, and performed. Collaboration with Laura Jorgensen. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2005.
•  Golden Buddha Beach.Wrote, directed, composed music, made video, performed. Collaboration with Laura Jorgensen. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2004 - 2005.
•  Gauguin's Paradise. Wrote (adapted texts by Gauguin), made video and directed ensemble production, University of Texas at Dallas. 2004, Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California; The Marsh, San Francisco, California; Undermain Theater, Dallas; Austin College; Palace Theatre, Hilo, Hawaii; Performance International Conference, Brown University. 2003-2005 "Best New Play" -- Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum; "Top Ten of 2004" -- Dallas Morning News. 
• Dionysos Does Dallas: A Geek Tragedy. Wrote, directed, and performed solo. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California; Avenue Arts Venue, Dallas; Watertower Theatre, Addison, Texas; Klotz-Sirmon Gallery, New York. 2002 - 2003.
•  Mozart's Pantomime for Commedia Dell'Arte. Co-wrote and directed. Played role of Pantalone. With Robert Xavier Rodriguez. World Premiere at UTD. 2002.
•  What Fools These Mortals Be. Reworked and performed a solo adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream. XXXX
•  Glimpsings. Wrote, directed, and performed solo. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, Ca.; Undermain Theater, Dallas. 2001-2002.
•  Lear's Shadow. Wrote, directed, and performed (with Shannon Kearns). The MAC, Dallas; Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA. 2000.
•  Measuring Man. Co-created and directed. Performed by Daniel Stein and Robert Smythe. Dell'Arte Theater, Blue Lake CA.; Mum Puppet Theatre, Philadelphia; national tour. 2000.
•  Stuff As Dreams Are Made On. Reworked for children and performed it at the Seattle International Children's Festival. 1999.
•  A Surprise Party. Wrote, directed, designed, shot, and edited video for new solo. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA.; Dallas Theater Center (The Dallas Video Festival); The Dallas Institute for the Humanities; University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 1997 - 1998. Received the Dallas Theatre Critics' Forum's “Outstanding Performance Award.”
•  Orpheus in Hollywood: a Myth Mash. Wrote and performed (Solo version) The MAC, Dallas; Cinnabar Theater, CA. 1997. Chosen for “Top Ten of 1997" by the Dallas Morning News.
•  Multiple Climaxes. Wrote, directed, and performed. El Teatro, Tunis, Tunisia. 1997.
•  Directed, shot, and edited feature-length video, Orpheus in Hollywood. The University of Texas at Dallas. 1997.
•  ISSAC and ISHMAEL: A Biblical Debacle. Wrote, directed, composed music, and performed an Arab-Jewish Music Summit in collaboration with percussionist/actor Jamal Mohamed. The MAC. 1996.
•  The Comeback of Freddy Chickan. Wrote, directed, designed, composed music, made video, and performed. Cinnabar Theater, California; Smokebrush Theatre, Colorado Springs; and at The MAC, Dallas. The Dallas Morning News critic Lawson Taitte reviewed the work, calling Mr. Curchack a "theatrical genius...supremely talented artist." 1996.
•  The Making of the American Entertainment Industry's Tribute to Freddy Chickan. Conceived and directed The University of Texas at Dallas. 1996.
•  ABEL AND CAIN: A Biblical Debacle. Wrote, directed, designed, and performed in collaboration with Daniel Stein. Odyssey Theater, LA; Pontine Theater, Portsmouth NH; Carthage International Theater Festival, Tunis, Tunisia; MidAtlantic Movement Theatre Festival, Baltimore MD. 1995.
•  THE SHOW: a Metatheatrical Hodgepodge. Created. The University of Texas at Dallas. 1995.
•  HEDDY and TEDDY: A Closet Drama. Wrote, directed, performed. Wordfire Festival, New York; Henry Street Settlement, New York; Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA; Zachary Scott Theater, Austin TX. 1993.Created and performed HEDDY and TEDDY: a closet drama., a solo children's performance tour of the Virginia Museum of Art, Richmond. 1993.
•  The Land of Dreams. Created and performed a solo for children. Dell'Arte Theatre, Blue Lake CA. 1993.
•  Art-O-Rama #3: THE NEW WORLD/THE NEW WING. Conceived and directed a performance tour of the Dallas Museum of Art's new Art of the Americas wing. Workshop with UTD students. 1993.
•  THE SEXUAL MYTHOLOGY TRILOGY. Wrote, directed, composed music, made inter-active video, and performed scenes, songs, and dances.. Cinnabar Theatre; Petaluma, Ca. 1993.
•  FAMILY VALUES: A Closet Drama. Created and directed with students at The University of Texas at Dallas. 1992.
•  WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE. Wrote, directed, designed, performed a Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM re-visioned. International tour. Dallas Critics' "Outstanding Performance Award." Hensen International Puppetry Festival, New York Public Theater. 1992 - present.
•  Sexual Mythology part 3: HEAVEN -or- The Big Talk Show. Created 26 minute video version for PBS-TV (KERA) show "Mind's Eye.: Dallas. 1992.
•  ART-O-RAMA. Conceived and directed with students from The University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Museum of Art. 1991.
•  Sexual Mythology part 3: HEAVEN -or- The Big Talk Show. Conceived, directed, designed, videotaped and edited, and performed with John O'Keefe, Cecile Pineda, Peter Rose, Frederick Turner; music by Robert Xavier Rodriguez. International tour. 1991.
•  Sexual Mythology part 2: PURGATORY. Wrote, directed, designed, and performed solo. National tour. 1989-91.
•  Sexual Mythology part 2: PURGATORY. Conceived and directed ensemble version music by Robert X. Rodriguez. The University of Texas at Dallas. 1989.
•  Sexual Mythology part 1: THE UNDERWORLD. Wrote and performed an ensemble music-theatre piece. Music by Robert X. Rodriguez and Jim Kohn. Theatre Garage, Dallas; Theatre Project, Baltimore; International Movement Theatre Festival, Philadelphia. 1989.
• Windowspeak . Co-created and directed with Daniel Stein, music by John Welstead. Created at U.T.D., followed by an international tour. 1989.
•  Legacy. Conceived and performed a site-specific performance on the 25th anniversary of the assassination of J.F.K. at the Texas Theater, Dallas (where Oswald was apprehended) with Daniel Stein and Peter Rose. 1989.
•  Directorial consultant for dance-theatre performance Bread by Ellen Forman and the South Street Dance Company. International Movement Theatre Festival, Philadelphia. 1989.
•  Chekhov's The Harmfulness of Tobacco. Wrote adaptation and performed. Palace Theatre, Petaluma, California; Theatre Garage, Dallas. 1988.
•  Fred Breaks Bread with the Dead - fragments of a lost repertoire. Directed and performed a new solo version. Theatre Garage, Dallas. 1988.
•  Inquest for Freddy Chickan. Wrote, performed, directed, composed music and designed. Theatre Festivals in the U.S., Canada, Berlin, national tour. 1987-1988.
•   Sexual Mythology. Wrote, composed, sang, played guitar and recorded an album of original songs. Performed live at Club DaDa, Dallas. 1988.
•  Uncle Vanya. Directed at U.T.D. Collaborated with Robert Corrigan in teaching Chekhov seminar. 1987. Directed Chekhov's Uncle Vanya at the Dallas Theatre Center, with dramaturg Robert Corrigan and designer Eugene Lee. 1988.
•  Play House. Conceived and directed at The University of Texas at Dallas. 1987.
•  Party. Conceived and directed at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California. 1985.
•  Cinnabar Time Voyagers. Conceived and directed with 30 children, grades K-6. Cinnabar School, Petaluma. 1984.
•  PROJECT JOB: A Biblical Debacle. Created and performed with Zbigniew Cynkutis, director and actor from Grotowski's Polish Theatre Laboratory and Stephen Rappaport, Intersection, San Francisco and tour. 1984.
•  Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, Shakespeare's The Tempest, changed "into something rich and strange. Wrote, designed,and performed nationally and internationally. 1983-Present.
•  PARROT ISLAND: A Nuclear Opera. Wrote and directed in collaboration with the Cinnabar Opera Theatre, Petaluma. 1983.
•  A Gathering of Clowns. Directed and performed. Conceived with Raymond Burr as part of a 5 year theatre training program. Sonoma State University. 1983.
•  FRED BREAKS BREAD WITH THE DEAD: Fragments of a Lost Repertoire. Wrote, directed and performed adaptations from Shakespeare, Beckett, Blake, Joyce, Yeats, Zeami, Brecht, O'Neill, the Old Testament. National Tour. 1982-Present.
•  Incarnation. Wrote, directed, and performed. National tour. 1982.
•  The Birds. Wrote, directed, and performed in a musical-comedy adaptation of Aristophanes' The Birds and Lysistrata. Leavenworth Theatre, S.F. and SSU. 1980-81.
•  IN TENTS: A Play About a Group That Goes into the Wilderness to Create a Play About a Group that Goes Into the Wilderness to Create. Conceived and directed. Lost Valley, Big Sur, and SSU. 1980.
•  The Mental Traveller. Conceived, directed, and performed an adaptation from William Blake. Collaboration with Laura Jorgensen and Jim Bryant. The Performance Space, S.F. and Cinnabar Theatre, Petaluma. 1980.
•  The Young Man Who Gave the King's Daughter the Power of Speech--or--The Singing Cock. Conceived and directed a musical adapted from a folk tale. SSU. 1979.
•  All Hallows' Eve. Conceived and directed. The Performance Space, S.F., SSU, and Bay Area tour. 1978.
•  Duo with Joya Cory and Motion: the Women's Performance Collective. Conceived, directed, and performed. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, S.F. 1978.
•  Ain't It the Truth. Wrote and directed. Directed Spoon River Anthology with the J.S.P.O.A. Players. Toured New York City Senior Citizen Centers with a company of seniors. 1974-75
•  Solaris. Co-wrote and performed a dance-theatre collaboration with the Philadelphia Composers' Forum. Dance Theatre Lab, New York. 1974-75.
•  An Evening of NOH. Wrote, directed, and performed. Japan Society, New York, Boston Center for the Arts. 1974.
•  EXORCISE IN LOVE AND WAR: a Blind Man's Song. Wrote and directed. Queensborough College, New York. 1973.
•  The Garden of the Sightless Stones. Wrote, directed, and performed. Performance/lectures for Japanese artists in Kyoto and Osaka, Japan. 1972.
•  Jongleurs.Wrote, directed, and performed. Queens College and New York City tour. 1972.
•  The Dance of Life and Breath. Wrote, directed, and performed. Toured New York City Junior High Schools. 1971.
•  Dream of Danang. Wrote, directed, and performed. LaMaMa Experimental Theater Co., New York. 1968.
•  Metaphysics in Mecklenberg Street or The Head. Wrote, directed and performed. Queens College, New York. 1968.
  
  

Performances and Direction

• Performed role of Nagg in Samuel Beckett's Endgame. Undermain Theatre, Dallas. 2010.
•  Directed opera, La Curandera by Robert Xavier Rodriguez. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. 2007.
• Narrated The Dot and the Line, a concert with Voices of Change. World Premiere of music by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, text by Norton Juster. The University of Texas at Dallas. 2005.
• Performed in The Prayers of Dallas by Frederick Turner. The University of Texas at Dallas. 2004.
•  Revised and performed Stuff As Dreams Are Made On. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, Ca. 2003.
•  Narrated Master Peter's Puppet Show by Manuel de Falla. With Robert Xavier Rodriguez and Musica Nova. The University of Texas at Dallas. 2003.
•  Ongoing performances by Daniel Stein of Windowspeak. Director and co-creator. Longwood University; Purdue University. 2003 - 2004.
•  Ongoing performances by Robert Smythe and Daniel Stein of Measuring Man (on Leonardo da Vinci). Director and co-creator. Baltimore Theatre Project. 2003 -2005.
•  Directed opera Don Pasquale by Donizetti. Cinnabar Opera Theater, Petaluma, California. 2002.
•  Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma, California. Also featured at the Unima (International Puppetry Association) Conference at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta. 2002.
•  Directed Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Played Oberon. World Premiere of incidental music by Robert Xavier Rodriguez. University of Texas at Dallas. 2002.
•  Narrated "Song of Songs" by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, with Musica Nova. UTD. 2002.
•  Directed video scenes from Shakespeare's King Lear. International Actor Training Program (MFA), University of Tennessee at Knoxville. 2002.
• Played all the roles in Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale with Robert Xavier Rodriguez and Musica Nova. UTD. 2001.
• Directed and edited two half-hour videos of Bakkhai and Lear's Shadow. The Dallas Video Festival at the Dallas Theater Center. 2001.
• Directed Euripides' Bakkhai. Played role of Kadmos. World premiere of a new translation by Reginald Gibbons (Oxford University Press). The University of Texas at Dallas. 2001.
•  Acted a lead role (the Devil), danced, built and operated puppets, and sang with the San Antonio Symphony in the world premiere of The Last Night of Don Juan. Music by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, texts by Murray Ross (adapted from Edmund Rostand). Majestic Theatre, San Antonio. 2000.
•  Narrated The Nightingale with Voices of Change. Music by Theo Loevendie. UTD. 2000.
•  Live Love Acts. Wrote, directed, and performed solos. Undermain Theatre, Dallas. 2000. Cinnabar Theater. 1999.
•  Video retrospective of nine solo performances. Dallas Video Festival at the Dallas Theater Center. 2000. Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas. 1999.
•  Directed, designed, shot, edited video, composed music, and performed solo, Hamet: Carnal, Bloody, & Unnatural Acts. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma CA.; Dallas Video Festival at the Dallas Theater Center. 1999.
•  Directorial Consultant for Theater of the Independent Eye's production, Innana. Philadelphia. 1999.
•  Narrated The Song of Songs by Robert Xavier Rodriguez. Petaluma Music Festival. Petaluma, California. 1999.
•  Video performance of role of Macheath in scenes from The Beggar's Opera and commedia scenes in Musica Nova concert. UTD. 1999.
• Read original stories, poems, and songs. Presented by Wordspace at the Dallas Institute for the Humanities. 1999.
•  Performed a retrospective of original performances and works by Shakespeare, Blake, Brecht, and Yeats. UTD. 1998.
•  Directed, shot, edited feature-length video, The Secret Life of UTD. The University of Texas at Dallas. 1998.
•  Directorial Consultant to Erika Batdorf's solo performances Facing East, and Mr. Raisinhead. New York Fringe Festival and tour. 1998.
•  Performed video of To Have Done with the Judgement of God by Antonin Artaud. Undermain Theater. 1997.
•  Shot and edited videos and directed concert by "Cafe Noir." The University of Texas at Dallas. 1997.
•  Associate Director/Visual Effects Designer for The Wanderings of Odysseus, a theatrical adaptation of The Odyssey, in collaboration with translator Alan Mandelbaum and actor/playwright John O'Keefe. Smokebrush Theatre, Colorado Springs. 1996.
•  Sang roles of Witch and Sailor in Purcell's Dido and Aeneas. Conducted by Robert Xavier Rodriguez with principal singers from the Dallas Opera. The University of Texas at Dallas. 1995.
•  Played lead role in the world premiere of Caesar, adapted from Shakespeare and directed by Charles Marowitz. Humboldt State University CA. 1993.
•  Collaborated with Lee Murray on a video documentary of the process of creating FAMILY VALUES: A Closet Drama at UTD. KERA-TV and KDTN-TV, Dallas TX. 1993-94.
•  Performed with music ensemble Voices of Change, narrating Robert Xavier Rodriguez's “Song of Songs” from a story by Sholem Aleichem. The University of Texas at Dallas, 1992; Temple Shalom concert and studio recording of CD. 1994; Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma Ca. 1999.
•  Performed in Memory and Desire - A Theatre Marathon directed by Arthur Pellman. Seattle. 1992.
•  Performed excerpts from WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE on PBS-TV (KQED) show "Q." San Francisco. 1992.
•  Wrote and performed three radio spots for the Sonoma County Fair (aired on 15 S.F. Bay Area stations). 1992.
•  Performed in radio play The Girl With No Name by Peter Rose. National Public Radio, Philadelphia. 1992.
•  Recorded a story, song, and poem on an album (CD and cassette) for children. Benefit for Young Imaginations (arts education program); ("Children's Album of the Year," Parents' Choice Magazine). 1991.
•  Conceived and directed Isadora, a dance-theatre performance by Ellen Forman. Philadelphia. 1990.
•  Performed segment of Stuff As Dreams Are Made On for Alive from Off-Center. PBS (national television). 1990.
•  Directorial consultant for dance-theatre performance Bread by Ellen Forman and the South Street Dance Company. International Movement Theatre Festival, Philadelphia. 1989.
•  Ongoing collaboration with film/video artist Peter Rose on creating and recording audio and video pieces. 1987-present.
•  Directed America I Love You - an opera of e.e. cummings poems. Workshop with Cinnabar Opera Theatre, Petaluma, California. 1986.
•  Directed, sang,and improvised with "Totem" - a new music quintet. Performances in the San Francisco Bay Area. 1984-1986.
•  Performed all male voices and narration of The Postman Always Rings Twice by James Cain. Read Wounds in the Rain stories by Stephan Crane. Book of the Road, Tape Book Co. 1985.
•  Directed, adapted,and performed Dickens' A Christmas Carol and Dylan Thomas' A Child's Christmas in Wales. Cinnabar Theater, Petaluma. 1983.
•  Directed a movement-theatre adaptation of Stravinski's Les Noces with live music. Sonoma State University. 1982.
•  Performed Beckett's Cascando. 1981-Present.
•  Directed CUCHULAIN: Three Plays by W.B. Yeats. The Performing Space, S.F., and SSU. 1979.
•  Directed and performed Hamlet Kathakali and Shunkan in Exile, a Noh play. National tour. 1977-1982.
•  Choreographed and performed in Oedipus the King adapted by Anthony Burgess. The Stage Company, New York. 1976.
•  Performance/demonstrations with Krishnan Nambudiri of Kathakali: South Indian dance-theatre. LaMaMa, NY, and east coast tour. 1975-76.
•  Directed, composed music, and performed in W.B. Yeats' Purgatory. The Space for Innovative Development, New York, east coast tour. 1974.
•  Performed in Pining Wind. Centrifugal Theatre Co., New York. 1973.
•  Played Estragon in Waiting for Godot and Stephan Dedalus in Ulysses in Nighttown. Queens College, New York. 1967-68.
  
  

- publications

Professor of Art and Performance
The University of Texas at Dallas [1986–Present]

Theatre Instructor
Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California [1978–1985]

Theatre Instructor
United Nations International School, New York [1974–1976]

PRIZES, HONORS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, CITATIONS

• PRIZES, HONORS, GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS, CITATIONS
   
  NOH: Angels, Demons, & Dreamers selected as one of the “Top Ten Theatre Productions of Special Award from the Dallas Theatre Critics Forum for being a “Renaissance Theatre Artist.”  2010.
  
  Award from the Dallas Theatre Critics Forum for “Ensemble Acting” for Endgame at Undermain Theatre, Dallas.  2010.
  
  NOH: Angels, Demons, & Dreamers selected as one of the “Top Ten Theatre Productions of 2007” by The Dallas Morning News critic Lawson Taitte.  2007.
  
  Golden Buddha Beach selected as one of the "Top 10 Plays in the SF Bay Area 2005” by Sonoma Valley Sun critic Ron Singer.  2005
   
  Gauguin's Shadow selected as "Best New Play" by the Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum and as "Top Ten Theatre of 2004" by The Dallas Morning News critic Tom Sime.
  
  Stuff As Dreams Are Made On cited by theatre critic Lawson Taitte in The Dallas Morning News as one of the world's "very best works in all genres that were inspired by a Shakespeare play."  2004.
  
  Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation to develop Gauguin's Shadow.  2001-2002.
  
  Grant and additional funding from the Creative Capital Foundation to develop Lear's Shadow.  1999 - 2000.
  
  Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation to develop Lear's Shadow.  1999 - 2000.
  
  Stuff As Dreams Are Made On selected for the "Top Ten Theater Productions of the Decade" by The Austin Chronicle.  2000.
  
  “Outstanding Performance Award” from the Dallas Theatre Critics’ Forum for A Surprise Party.  1998.
  
  Grant from USIS to perform and teach at Festival International de Theatre Universitaire de Casablanca (first American to perform in festival’s 11 year history).  1998. 
  
  Orpheus in Hollywood: a Myth Mash chosen by the Dallas Morning News theater critic Lawson Taitte for “Top Ten of 1997.”
  
  Arts International Grant for Travel to Journées Theatràles du Carthage Festival.  1997.
  
  Received grant from Arts International to represent the U.S. at the Carthage International Theatre Festival, Tunis, Tunisia.  1995.
  
  Received grant from USIS for travel to Tunisia to collaborate with director Tawfiq Jeballi.  1995.
  
  Extended 11 week run of 3 original plays at The Odyssey Theater.  Received "Critics Choice" citations in all 5 Los Angeles newspapers and was chosen as "Best Theater of the Week" by The Los Angeles Times.  1995.
  
  STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON received six awards from The Austin Circle of Theatres: Best Production, Actor, Original Script, Light Design, Costumes, Props.  1994.
  
  STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON chosen as Best Theatre Performance of 1993 by Robert Faires, critic of the Austin Chronicle.
  
  U.S. Representative to perform at Festival Mundial Teatro de las Naciones, Santiago, Chile.  Received Arts America Touring Grant.  1993.
  
  U.S.I.S. funding to perform at Festival du Carthage, Tunis.  1993.
  
  "Laughing Waters" chosen as Children's Album of the Year by Parents Choice Magazine.  1993.
  
  U.S. Representative - First American ever to perform at Festival du Carthage, the pre-eminent African Theatre Festival.  USIS Funding.  1993.
  
  Dallas Theatre Critics' Forum "Outstanding Performance Award" for WHAT FOOLS THESE MORTALS BE.  1992.
  
  WHAT FOOLS... selected by both Dallas Morning News theater critics for their "Top Ten of 1992" lists.
   
  WHAT FOOLS... cited by Dallas Morning News critic Jerome Weeks as one of his "all-time favorites" and STUFF...cited as his "number one favorite performance" in six years of reviewing in Dallas.  1992.
  
  Voted "Best Performance Artist" by the Dallas Observer Readers' Poll.  1992.
  
  Selected to represent the U.S. at the Theatre of Nations Festival in Santiago, Chile.  1993.
  
  Funding for tour to Montevideo by Arts International.  1992.
  
  GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP.  1991-92.
  
  American Theatre Wing Award for Design of Stuff As Dreams Are Made On.  1990.
  
  Gold Medal, International Festival of Solo Theatre, Belgrade, for Stuff...  1990.
   
  U.S.I.A.  Funding for tour of Yugoslavia.  1990.
   
  National Endowment for the Arts, Solo Performance Fellowships.  1991; 1990; 1989; 1987.
   
  NEA Inter-Arts Grant to create Cain and Abel with Daniel Stein at The Theatre Project, Baltimore.  1989-1990.
  
  NEA Theatre Special Project Grant to create and perform Sexual Mythology part 2: Purgatory and part 3: Heaven.  1989-1991.
  
  Works cited as "Critics Choice" by the major Dallas newspapers: Sexual Mythology part 3: HEAVEN - or - The Big Talk Show, Sexual Mythology part 2: Purgatory, Sexual Mythology part 1: The Underworld, Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, Inquest for Freddy Chickan, Fred Breaks Bread with the Dead, Uncle Vanya.
  
  Stuff As Dreams Are Made On selected as one of the "ten most noteworthy theatre productions of 1989" by Mel Gussow, The New York Times.  1989.
  
  Sexual Mythology part 1: The Underworld selected by Dallas Observer Readers' Poll as "Most Daring and Courageous Theatre Production of 1989."
  
  "Special Award" for Inquest for Freddy Chickan and for Stuff As Dreams Are Made On from the Dallas Theatre Critics Forum.  1987.
  
  Outstanding Achievement Award from the S.F. Chronicle for Fred Breaks Bread with the Dead.  1985.
  
  Hollywood Dramalogue Award for Stuff As Dreams Are Made On.  1983.
  
  Bay Area Critics Award for Incarnation.  1982.
  
  

TECHNICAL THEATRE

Designed and built sets, masks, puppets, costumes, lights, and made videos for: Resurrection of Freddy Chickan; Alhambra; BURYING OUR FATHER: A Biblical Debacle; Shenanigans, Obfuscations, Interruptions; Grandpa’s Home Videos; SYNTHESIS: An Idiot’s Guide to Death and Rebirth; Milarepa; MONKEY: The Quest to the West; NOH: Angels, Demons & Dreamers; An American Dream Play; Golden Buddha Beach; Gauguin's Shadow; Dionysos Does Dallas; Glimpsings; Lear's Shadow; Live Love Acts; The Last Night of Don Juan; HAMLET: Carnal, Bloody, & Unnatural Acts; The Secret Life of UTD; A Surprise Party; Orpheus in Hollywood (live and video versions); The Comeback of Freddy Chickan;  The Making of the American Entertainment Industry’s Tribute to Freddy Chickan; The Wanderings of Odysseus; ABEL & CAIN: A Biblical Debacle; THE SHOW: A Metatheatrical Hodgepodge; HEDDY & TEDDY: A Closet Drama; What Fools These Mortals Be; FAMILY VALUES: A Closet Drama; Sexual Mythology part 3: HEAVEN, part 2: PURGATORY, part 1: The UNDERWORLD; Inquest for Freddy Chickan; Project Job; A Christmas Carol; Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, Fred Breaks Bread with the Dead; Incarnations; In Tents. . .; The Mental Traveler; The Singing Cock; All Hallows' Eve; Hamlet Kathakali, Shunkan; Ain't It the Truth?, Purgatory; Exorcise in Love and War: A Blind Man’s Song, The Dance of Life and Breath, Dream of Danang; Metaphysics in Mecklenberg Street. Received the American Theater Wing Award for Design for Stuff As Dreams Are Made On.  1990. Designed and developed theatre facility at the United Nations International School - including modular stage, acoustic curtains, seating, lighting system, scene shop.  Helped write several successful grant proposals.  1974-1976. Assisted in construction of 300-seat theatre, including stage, seating, lighting system at The Space for Innovative Development, New York.  1973-1974. Assisted in the construction of an authentic Noh Stage at the Kita Noh Institute of America, Boston.  1972. New York Shakespeare Festival Mobile Theatre.  Tech crew, toured New York City parks.  1964.

Personal Statement

A working theatre artist and teacher, I've written and performed seventy-eight original theater pieces (fifty ensemble works and twenty-eight solos). My performances have received international acclaim.Research includes world theatre, literature, music, video, photography, visual art, dance, philosophy, psychology, comparative religions and ritual practices.

Many former students are now artistic directors of theatre companies, working actors, directors, writers, and teachers. My work as a teacher focuses on helping students to develop the tools, the awareness, and the confidence to create their own work.

After receiving a drama degree from the High School of Performing Arts in N.Y., and a BA and MA in Theater from Queens College, I studied Indian Kathakali with Krishnan Nambudiri, Japanese Noh with Sadayo Kita, Balinese Topeng with Nyomen Wenten, choreography with Alwin Nikolais, and I trained with Grotowski's Polish Theater Lab. Before coming to UTD, I taught theatre at the United Nations International School, N.Y. and Sonoma State University, California.

My performances have been featured at dozens of international theatre festivals (Next Wave-BAM, Theatre of Nations, Theater der Welt, Theatre des Ameriques...). I have received the Gold Medal at the International Festival of Solo Theatre, the American Theatre Wing Award, Critics' Awards in L.A., S.F., Dallas, Austin, and my work has been "Best of the week" in the L.A. Times, "Top ten of the year" in The New York Times, "Top ten of the decade" in the Austin Chronicle, and in the "Top ten of all-time" in The Dallas Morning News. I've received funding from Creative Capital, the National Endowment for the Arts, Arts International, The Henson Foundation and I am a Guggenheim Fellow.

Fred Curchack's 'King Lear' portrayal a revelation at Shakespeare Dallas

From the moment he strides regally on stage, Fred Curchack's tall, fiery royal is a revelation that shakes the very air in the outdoor production of King Lear by Shakespeare Dallas at Samuell-Grand Amphitheater.

Hello, dolly: Curchack's `Stuff' - Improviser pulls out all the props for his take on `The Tempest'

This is the stuff of which theatrical legends are made.

Brilliant brevity - THEATER REVIEW: Curchack mines depth, delicacy from five Japanese classics

Leave it to Fred Curchack: five masterpieces, all brilliantly performed, in less than 90 minutes.

Souls, sensibilities merge in one-man play Artist speaks through actor's vivid imagery in 'Gauguin's Shadow'

Dallas theater legend Fred Curchack revives his world-traveling, award-winning take on 'The Tempest'

Virtuosic 'Stuff As Dreams Are Made On' plays Theatre Three and Shakespeare conference.

VAR - []

Guggenheim and six NEA Fellowships, Grants from Creative Capital, Jim Henson Foundation, Arts International, USIS Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation to develop Gauguin's Shadow. 2001-2002. Grant and additional funding from the Creative Capital Foundation to develop Lear's Shadow. 1999 - 2000. Grant from the Jim Henson Foundation to develop Lear's Shadow. 1999 - 2000. Grant from USIS to perform and teach at Festival International de Theatre Universitaire de Casablanca (first American to perform in the festival's 11 year history). 1998. Received grant from Arts International to represent the U.S. at the Carthage International Theatre Festival, Tunis, Tunisia. 1995. Received grant from USIS for travel to Tunisia to collaborate with director Tawfiq Jeballi. 1995. NEA Special Projects/Individuals Grant to create ABEL AND CAIN: a Biblical Debacle in collaboration with Daniel and Paule Stein. 1993-94. U.S.I.S. funding to perform at Festival du Carthage, Tunis. 1993. Funding for tour to Montevideo by Arts International. 1992. GUGGENHEIM FELLOWSHIP. 1991-92. National Endowment for the Arts, Solo Performance Fellowships. 1991; 1990; 1989; 1987. U.S.I.A. Funding for tour of Yugoslavia. 1990. NEA Inter-Arts Grant to create Cain and Abel with Daniel Stein at The Theatre Project, Baltimore. 1989-1990. NEA Theatre Special Project Grant to create and perform Sexual Mythology part 2: Purgatory and part 3: Heaven. 1989-1991. The University of Texas Research Grant for developing new work. 1989. NEA Theatre Special Project Grant to create and perform Sexual Mythology part 1: The Underworld at Movement Theatre International. Additional funding from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. 1989.