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On February 20, Stage & Stanza, a series at the Opalka Gallery on the Russell Sage College Albany campus, welcomes Russell Sage College President Matthew Shaftel and singer, writer, and actor Donald Hyman. The program will take place at 6 p.m. at Russell Sage College’s Opalka Gallery, 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany.
An interview series organized by The Theatre Institute at Sage and Opalka Gallery, in partnership with local poet and playwright, Carol Durant, Stage and Stanza highlights local figures in the arts.
The program will begin with Durant reading a poem chosen by each guest and will proceed in a talk-show format co-hosted by Professor David Baecker, resident director of the Theatre Institute at Russell Sage College, and will include a Q&A with the guests.
Shaftel became the 11th president of Russell Sage College July 1, 2024. Before coming to Russell Sage, Shaftel served for seven years as dean and full professor in Ohio University’s College of Fine Arts. He has served as a higher education leader for nearly two decades, also as an associate vice president at Florida State University and dean and executive of the Princeton campus at Rider University. Shaftel earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Master of Philosophy in Music Theory, and Ph.D. in Music Theory from Yale University and has been highly active as a scholar, publishing numerous articles and books, including two national award-winning volumes published by Oxford University Press and University of Illinois Press. Recognized for his excellence in teaching, he has received three university-wide teaching awards, including a distinguished professor award, and was a finalist for two national accolades. He has served on many not-for-profit boards and developed two award-winning centers for community engagement.
Donald Hyman, a former Brooklynite, is a singer, actor, elder, writer, and teacher who now calls Albany his home. Hyman holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from St. Francis College, a Master of Arts in Urban Studies, and a Master of Science in Secondary Education, both from Long Island University. He currently works at Pine Hills Elementary School and was an adjunct professor for eight years in the American Studies Department for The College of Saint Rose. Donald’s theatrical resume is extensive and storied. He won first place in drama for his vignette, “The Dedication” about the Vietnam Memorial. In May 2024, he performed at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Denver, Colorado. Hyman is vice chairman for Channel Albany and has produced Albany Tempo Spectrum for 10 seasons. He also currently produces “Capital Region Portraits” for Proctors Open Stage Media. Hyman will be performing as iconic soul singer Wilson Pickett in the “Legend Show Plus” at the Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Hotel in Colonie on March 2, 2025.
Carol Durant is a poet, author, playwright and event host. She is an actor and stage manager most recently with the Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York. She has a M.A in Africana Studies from University at Albany. She is the founder and host of Outliers Poetry Brunch, which is a monthly poetry brunch at Eden Cafe in Loudonville and online. She is a longstanding board member of Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar. Durant’s newest book is “Cold Pressed and Just Brewed Poetry.” Her first book, “Whole Phat and Gluten Free Poetry” was published in 2017.
David Baecker is a professor of Theatre at Russell Sage College. He is also a communications coach with the New York State Defenders Association. Locally, he has directed readings and/or productions for Saratoga Shakespeare Company, the Rensselaer County Historical Society, Troy Foundry Theatre, Theater Voices, and the New York State Theatre Institute. Baecker has an M.F.A. in Acting from Florida State University and a B.A. in Theatre from Washington University in St. Louis.
About the Theatre Institute at Sage: Established in 2011 the Theatre Institute at Sage is dedicated to providing quality live theatre and arts-in-education programming to Capital Region youth, educators, and residents. The institute also provides opportunities for Russell Sage students as performers, technicians, and teachers.
About the Opalka Gallery: The Opalka Gallery is the formal exhibition facility of Russell Sage College. Located on the Albany campus, Opalka’s primary focus is contemporary art and design from nationally recognized artists. An important part of the cultural life in the Capital Region, the Gallery frequently hosts lectures, films, concerts, and other events in conjunction with exhibitions.
EVENT DETAILS
Stage & Stanza with President Matthew Shaftel and Donald Hyman
WHEN: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 6 to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Opalka Gallery Lecture Hall, Russell Sage College Albany Campus, 140 New Scotland Avenue, Albany
COST: Event is free, but donations are welcome
WHO: Hosted by the Theatre Institute at Sage, Opalka Gallery, and Carol Durant
MORE INFO: Find more info on the Opalka Gallery website.