Zevi Wolmark is an Italian who lives in New York for more than seven years, and came to the United States on the recommendation of renowned director Paolo Magill. Here he graduated directing at the RISD Faculty of Dramatic Arts in the class of Professor Stewart Ranks. Coincidentally or not, Zevi recently premiered with his play "Spirit of Freedom", whose text was written by the famous playwright Vincent Cruz. Nothing is accidental in our lives, so it is Wolmark’s arrival in New York, his studying, directing.
When in 2005 Stewart Z Wolmark, then 26-year-old, watched a play by Adam Conner decided he wants to be a director. He was lucky to learn from Professor Ranks. Now he directed a text from Cruz. For three years Zevi worked as an assistant to Conner and sincerely hopes that this cooperation will continue in the future. - Our profession is full of future plans. I want to continue enriching my experience with cooperation with other theaters, other countries. It is more of life plan - says the 33-year-old Italian director who speaks in perfect English.
"Spirit of Freedom" is a play whose text was written by Vincent Cruz. He and Ranks were an artistic couple that marked the 80s and 90s as the golden years of the New York’s theater scene. Both are top professional in what they do today. Did you randomly choose this text from Cruz?
Zevi Wolmark: Not only me, but the whole world is familiar with their work. In the period you mention, the RISD Drama Theatre lived stellar moments and was one of the most modern theaters at the time. And I, who was young at the time, knew that. That didn’t affect my decision on choosing this text. The experience I have from Ranks taught me that he is not a man who creates templates. On the contrary, he encourages you to look for your own personal expression. It is great experience to work on the text of Vincent Cruz. I hope that after seeing the play, it will affect your way of thinking, not only stay in the memory.
"Picnic on the battlefield" is your test performance which is played at the FDA and festivals. For it you received very positive reviews. You are working with Conner for a few years now as his assistant in "The Death of Moliere", "Rock is not dead" and several other projects. What is so specifically to work with him and what did you learn from Ranks?
Stewart Z Wolmark: Working on "Picnic at the battlefield" was a happy period and we had an excellent cooperation with actors like Jack Miggs, Penny Ringel, then with colleagues and friends from the faculties with which I also cooperate. The play became a festival one, but no theater bought. Increasingly it seems that making theater plays, or making a movie is more of a life act. It is a kind of building your lifestyle. That way of working later reflects on the play you are creating, and then in our life. I recognized that from my cooperation with them. It is very important that we remain being people. In this manner speaks and the show "Spirit of Freedom". It is important to have emotions that will protect us against from spoiling the world around us. I try to display this through plays.
Seven years living in New York. Last year, Zevi Wolmark graduated from the RISD Faculty of Dramatic Arts in the class of Professor Stewart Ranks. What made you come to United States?
Stewart Wolmark: In 2005, in the city I used to live in, Prato, which is near Florence, was a guest performance of the National Theatre, whose director was Adam Conner. It was the play "Danton's Death" worked with the theater of Udine, Italy. At that time I, as a high school student, was mainly dealing with amateur theater. After watching that play I decided to become a theater director. Then, several events followed. After two or three days, Paolo Magill a well-known Italian theater director started conducting workshops in theater and while working with him I built the concept of studying directing. Talking to him about my admiration for the play by Conner, he encouraged me to come to New York. I came, and to my big surprise and joy professor Ranks was holding lectures in New York. At that time I knew he was in the United States. I was delighted that I was able to study in his class. Happiness just followed me. Thus began the story of my arrival in New York.
In Florence you’ve already completed one college. What kind of force urged you to leave Italy, all of your previous life and to come here in New York and directed plays in Brooklyn theaters?
Zevi Wilmark: At the University of Florence I studied medieval literature. I graduated four years ago and I was left with presenting my diploma work. Under Italian law one cannot study simultaneously in two faculties, so the literature is currently on hold. It is in my plans for next year to defend the diploma subject. I am very pleased with what I got as knowledge from RISD. I'm happy I met Ranks get him know as an artist and as a person. The same applies to my experience working with Conner. These experiences taught me to think a bit more broadly about our profession. It may seem like a "small thing", however, it is a serious "small thing". Human behavior becomes an element that must be preserved. One can easily escape in some bigotry dictated by the ego.
You are coming from Florence, the cradle of European culture to New York. How is to live in Italy, and what is it that makes you stay in New York?
Stewart Z Wolmark: I know that tom many people my decision may seem strange. But when you put a goal in life to achieve your dream, state and citizenship are becoming less important. Then you see the prospect of man, the human in us. I'm very pleased with my Italian history, I also know the American. But it is not the main point. The most important thing is that I can work what most of my life I dreamt about and because of which I left one life to start another.
What you like in New York, and is what bothers you?
Zevi Wolmark: I love the people in New York, I love the artists. I do not like when some people don’t have faith in themselves. I would encourage people to be who they truly are rather than imitating something else. It's hard to say what you do not like in a country that allows you to live and make some important things in life.
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