PARAMUS, N.J. – Paris or Paramus?
With Rafael Bianciotto, the artistic director of the Paris-based Zéfiro Théâtre Company serving as a Fulbright scholar-in-residence at Bergen Community College this semester, students will have the opportunity to study under the world-renowned artist. Professor Jim Bumgardner, who directs the College’s BergenStages student-theatre productions, remained instrumental in bringing Bianciotto to the College as part of a shared agreement with Ramapo College of New Jersey.
“We are all thrilled to have Rafael with us this spring semester to teach, offer workshops and to be the collaborator with Bergen and Ramapo,” Bumgardner said. “What a wonderful opportunity this is for our students, faculty and staff to enjoy such a talent.”
To enhance learning at the institution, Bergen has hosted a number of Fulbright scholars during the past 20 years – including instructors from Argentina, Mexico and China. The College has often received grants to enable the scholars’ visits.
Bianciotto, who started Jan. 20, represents the latest. He will teach two classes and host workshops for Bergen students. He plans to visit with senior citizens enrolled in the Institute for Learning in Retirement program as well.
Additionally, and as part of the College’s Distinguished Artist Series, Bianciotto will discuss his work during a free sit-down interview open to the public Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Anna Maria Ciccone Theatre at the main campus, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus.
Bianciotto, a Buenos Aires, Argentina native who moved to France as an adult, has owned the Zéfiro Théâtre Company since 1998, where working with masks and physical theatre remain his specialty. For his direction of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” at The National Theatre of Iceland, he received GRIMAN (Icelandic Theatre awards) nominations for the best shows and best director of the year 2008-09. In addition to acting and directing, Bianciotto has taught throughout Europe and the Americas.
The scholar-in-residence will live at Ramapo during his spring semester stay; he also will direct a show at the Mahwah institution.
Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu) based in Paramus is a public two-year coeducational college, enrolling nearly 16,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip J. Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields.
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