Click on the name below to view the letter...
Barbara Lebow, playwright
-- A Shayna Maidel, 1990
Thomas Q. Fulton, Jr.,
AEA actor, director, educator, 2003
Mitchell B. Fields,
AEA actor, director, educator, 2000
Glenn Colerider, AEA
actor, director, 1985
Elaine Rembrandt, actress,
retired Artistic Director of the Halle Theatre, JCC of Cleveland
Faith Killius, Beck
Center General Manager, 1988
Dr. Louis O. Erdmann,
Professor Speech / Theatre, Kent State U., 1983
Joyce Casey, Artistic
Director of Dobama Theatre, 2002
Jeffrey Aizenberg, Asst.
Executive Director, Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 1986
Kenneth Haas, General
Manager of The Cleveland Orchestra, 1986
John Martin Nolan, Executive
Director of Berea Summer Theatre, 2002
Dear JCC Board of Directors:
It was a pleasure meeting some of you during my recent visit to Seattle. The opportunity to see a performance of my play, A Shayna Maidel, and to have a look at what you are doing in theatre, was both encouraging and artistically fulfilling.
Fred Sternfeld was not only a kind and welcoming host and guide, he also did a superb job of directing the play. I've seen many regional productions; yours was at the top of the list in overall understanding and sensitivity to the material. If I knew that all productions were being handled as well, I would feel much better about the national attention being given the piece. I am using your production as an example of what can be done if care is given.
Thank you for providing me with a rewarding experience. I hope that under Fred's leadership your fledgling theatre program, both the children's training and the splendid professional performances, continue to grow and flourish.
Sincerely yours,
Barbara Lebow
View pictures & reviews of
A Shayna
Maidel
from Thomas Q. Fulton, Jr., AEA actor,
director, educator, 2003
April 7, 2003
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in support of Fred Sternfeld, who has spent much of his professional life bringing superb theatre to Northeast Ohio.
I first met Fred when I was directing Man of La Mancha at Cain Park Summer Theatre. I cast him as Pedro. His work was exemplary. Recently, I have worked with him in the reverse situation; Fred directed and I acted. In the past two years, Fred has cast me as Max in The Sound of Music, Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. During my 25-year professional career as an actor and director I have been privileged to serve as Artistic Director for Center Repertory Theatre, The Phoenix Theatre Ensemble, and The Cleveland Theatre Company. Over the years I have worked as a free-lance director, teacher and actor in many other theatre companies, including a 5 year stint with The Cleveland Play House. Rarely have I worked with a director with such a talent for detail, clarity of purpose and professionalism. Fred Sternfeld provides an environment for the actor which gives him room to grow and explore – at the same time he comes completely prepared to every rehearsal and provides strong, unambiguous direction. This is a real boon for any actor because he learns from this director what works and is encouraged to build upon that. His combination of a great theatrical eye, his calming and generous direction, his absolute control over the myriad business details of managing a production and his sheer love and passion for his work place him in top of his class as a professional director.
As Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha, Fred not only gave me wonderful insight into key moments in the play, he surrounded the main action with a powerful frame of characters and visuals that seamlessly told the story. I have rarely been as comfortable on stage than in a Fred Sternfeld production. As a testament to wide range of his talents, all one has to do is look at his website (www.fredsternfeld.com) to see his remarkable resume and the reach of his aspirations. He has been declared in the local press as a ‘theatrical wunderkind’. And no wonder. His work is consistently thorough, theatrically alive, and humane. He always seeks the honest interpretation and never muddies the water with a director’s ego or ‘concept.
I have seen few better directors in terms of commitment, command of their craft, and just plain practical theatre instinct, than Fred Sternfeld. I hope you will give him every consideration.
Sincerely,
Thomas Q. Fulton, Jr.
click on the play title to view
pictures & reviews of plays Tom has appeared in under my direction:
The Sound of Music,
Man of La Mancha,
Fiddler on the Roof
& South Pacific.
e-mail Tom
Fulton
visit
Tom Fulton's website
from Mitchell B. Fields, AEA actor,
director, educator, 2000
To Whom It May Concern:
Working with Fred Sternfeld is an exhilarating experience. As a professional actor since 1971 who has performed in approximately 90 plays, I have, of course, run the gamut of directors. Also as a director myself, I have some knowledge of the craft and the art form of directing. My experiences indicate to me that Fred Sternfeld is one of the best with whom I have worked. Beginning in the mid-eighties when he directed me in Brighton Beach Memoirs and Peter Pan to the more recent The Twilight of the Golds and Fiddler on the Roof, Fred has remained one of my favorites.
In Fiddler on the Roof I played the role of Lazar Wolf. It was one of the outstanding experiences of my professional life.
Fred has all the components an actor wants in a director: vision and imagination which contribute to the integrity of an author's work and brings the author's vision to fruition; an understanding and an appreciation of the actor's process and an ability to communicate in terms the actor understands; a willingness to allow the actor to explore in a safe environment, and yet the knowledge of when to guide; a complete command of the craft of directing especially in helping the actor to find physical behavior that expresses the action. I am delighted to say that Fred loves actors; he is able to nurture and yet challenge the actor to go beyond what is safe and comfortable.
In 1994 and 1995 when I was the Artistic Director of the Fine Arts Association of Willoughby, my first mission was to secure the best directors I could find. Fred was my first choice, and his production of Amadeus is legendary as the peak of Fine Arts Association’s artistic and financial accomplishments.
It is my pleasure to recommend Fred Sternfeld for employment as an exceptional director.
Mitchell B. Fields
click on the play title to view
pictures and reviews of plays Mitchell has appeared in under my direction:
Brighton
Beach Memoirs, Peter
Pan, The
Twilight of the Golds,
Fiddler on the Roof , Conversations
With My Father, Bad
Seed & A
Shayna Maidel.
from Glenn Colerider, AEA actor, director,
1985
To Whom It May Concern:
I met Fred Sternfeld when auditioning for Mass Appeal at Cabaret Dinner Theatre. Fortunately I won the role and it became one of my most fulfilling experiences. Fred is one of the most talented directors I have ever worked with. And without question, the most thorough. He forced us to dig and dig, refusing to accept an instinctive approach to a scene until we had explored many alternatives. It was the most growing I have ever done in a role...thanks to Fred. However, this was just the tip. His energy, his refusal to accept what appeared to be impossible, his guts at going after what he felt was needed -- without any support from the theatre -- showed a resourcefulness, a tenacity, an eagerness, an aggressiveness that I believe resulted in outstanding theatre. And he did all this in such a likable way, no feathers got ruffled.
I recommended him to Rabbit Run Theatre. He won them over completely with their most successful production ever, Fiddler on the Roof.
For what it's worth, I think he's one heck of a capable young man.
Glenn Colerider
click on the play title to view
pictures and reviews of the plays
Glenn has appeared in under my direction: Mass
Appeal, Foxfire,
The Foreigner
and Of Mice and Men
from Elaine Rembrandt, actress, retired Artistic Director of the Halle Theatre,
Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, 2000
To Whom It May Concern:
I would like to give my enthusiastic support to Fred Sternfeld as one of Cleveland's most professional and well-qualified directors of legitimate theatre. After Fred moved back to Cleveland from Seattle where he was the founder and artistic director of a small professional company affiliated with the Jewish Community Center there, he directed a show for the Halle Theatre at the JCC in Cleveland every season during my tenure as the Artistic and Producing Director.
I found Fred to be a hard-working and effective director who always did his "homework." He was always well prepared before any production meetings, casting or rehearsals began. This was apparent in his attention to detail and knowledge of the background of the script He always had a clear idea of what was needed to create a well-paced and visually attractive piece of entertainment.
Without exception, each play that Fred directed was well cast. Because of his reputation in Northeast Ohio for the excellence of his productions, Fred attracted the best of Cleveland talent. Actors are eager to work with him, and his knowledge of the talent pool allows him to pull in just the right people for the roles in question.
Although many directors shine in one area or another - either being good with the actors or good with staging, Fred is excellent in both areas. He knows how to pull the best from his actors; and actors, in turn, are confident that they will achieve their best work under his direction. His production of Fiddler on the Roof was a sell-out that had to be brought back the following season. Comments from many of our seasoned theatre-goers was that it "was better than the Broadway version!" The Immigrant was more moving and more understandable than previous productions I had seen. And Beau Jest was fall-down hysterical with people clammering for an extension.
Whether a musical, comedy or drama, Fred has the ability to create a stunning production and I highly recommend him as a director for your theatre.
Sincerely,
Elaine Rembrandt
Former Artistic Director
Halle Theatre
from Faith Killius, Beck Center General
Manager, 1988
To Whom It May Concern:
Fred Sternfeld was Artistic Director for the Beck Center's Lakewood Little Theatre from July 16, 1986 through July 15, 1988, reporting to the General Manager.
He was responsible for the artistic product on two stages, personally directing twelve plays and hiring and supervising guest directors for twelve productions. As Department Head of the Adult Drama Education Department, Fred was responsible for the hiring and supervision of instructors, as well as scheduling the classes offered. He worked with the Play Selection Committee establishing the season schedule of plays and dates; created the design and supervised the compilation and printing of brochures, programs, audition notices and subscriber bulletins.
Fred is a hard worker and a skilled director. His obvious knowledge of all facets of play production, attention to detail, creativity and willingness to do 'whatever it takes' to make his shows as professional as possible, resulted in many high quality productions at Lakewood Little Theatre.
Fred was personally responsible for broadening the talent pool, recruiting many actors, technicians and teachers new to our Center.
Fred was eager to take on added responsibilities and contributed ideas for the enhancement of all Beck Center programming.
Sincerely,
Faith Killius
General Manager
from Dr. Louis O. Erdmann,
Professor Speech / Theatre, Kent State U., 1983
To Whom It May Concern:
Mr. Sternfeld has emerged in the last five years as a most promising director. He developed his style while working as a student at Kent State University and assisting in the program at the Cleveland Jewish Community Center. It has been with a great deal of fondness that I have watched Fred move in this direction. He has an extremely strong ability to motivate actors and to assist them in realizing their potential.
Mr. Sternfeld also has an excellent knowledge of what it takes to get a play from a concept to a finished product. He is meticulous in detail and follows through, and at times is down right tenacious. This trait gets the job done.
Sincerely,
Dr. Louis O. Erdmann
from
Joyce Casey, Artistic Director of Dobama Theatre,
2002
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in regards to Fred Sternfeld. Fred directed a wonderful production of The Trestle At Pope Lick Creek by Naomi Wallace, during Dobama Theatre’s 2000-2001 season.
Fred’s artistic vision is coupled with his attention to detail. He is thoroughly familiar with all aspects of the production phase, and interacted in a professional and collegial manner with Dobama’s technical staff. Fred was able to work within the production budget without difficulty. He was able to interpret his concept of “Trestle” in a clear manner, and was able to develop a fluid and critically acclaimed production in the spirit of ensemble production and performance.
Fred has an excellent eye for talent. The company was comprised of veteran Cleveland professional talent, as well as two younger actors who played two principal roles. Fred’s ability to identify these actors in the early audition phase, and his skills in developing their character in balance with the full ensemble were highly notable.
For the above mentioned reasons, I would recommend Fred Sternfeld to professional companies seeking an experienced, organized and highly professional director.
Joyce Casey
Artistic Director, Dobama Theatre
from Jeffrey Aizenberg,
Asst. Executive Director,
Jewish Community Center of Dallas, 1986
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a letter of reference for Mr. Fred Sternfeld who was employed at the Jewish Community Center of Dallas as Cultural Arts Director from 1984 -1986. I was Assistant Executive director of the agency at the time and while I was not Fred's direct supervisor, I was directly involved in his recruitment, training and the development of his program.
To put it simply, Fred was outstanding. He took a performing arts program that barely existed, and within six months turned it into one of the most vibrant, exciting programs that existed at the Center. He did this both through the development of positive relationships with adults and children, as well as his tremendous talent in directing the performing arts. Fred constantly strove to be the best at whatever he did, and people rallied around his strength and success.
His work will set a standard of which any community will be proud.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Aizenberg
from Kenneth Haas, General Manager of
The Cleveland Orchestra, 1986
I am happy to have this opportunity to write you in support of Fred Sternfeld's
candidacy for the position of Artistic Director of Lakewood Little Theatre.
I have come to know Fred through my wife Barbara's acting work with him.
As there are only two or three other directors locally with whom she chooses
to work, and as her work in his productions, like the productions themselves,
is of high quality, I have come to admire him. But my interest in Fred
goes beyond the fact that he can be relied upon to mount a fine production.
There is an unusual sanity and clarity to Sternfeld's approach, which bespeaks an ability beyond his gifts as a director: For example, there is always a carefully thought-out rehearsal schedule, one that is actually followed, and there are other evidences of his respect for people -- their time and their talent. Barbara returns from his rehearsals exhilarated, not having wasted a minute, and she is always stimulated to work on her own at home. Fred is a teaching director; both the novice and the experienced actor seem to grow through their work with him. His sensitivity and diplomacy seem to have resulted in an ever-increasing list of loyal followers with each production he directs.
Sternfeld's background and training are diversified and serve him well. he knows the technical end of theatre as well as the performing, directing, teaching and personnel areas. This enables him to handle the variety of situations that arise in a year-round theatre. I have heard several stories of Fred's ability to handle difficult situations. His soft-spoken, calm manner, his intellligence, and his experience allow him to get to the root of things. Unlike many directors, he is not a creator of unnecessary conflict, but rather a problem-solver. I am told that the programs he has built in Dallas are highly successful, and the Center staff there very satisfied; of course you will be able to determine this yourself through references.
Barbara described to me Fred's "ensemble" approach, wherein a positive attitude and self-esteem are nurtured, and it appears that even the smallest role-players and off-stage personnel feel an integral part of his productions. He also takes an active interest in the non-performance aspects of his theatre, the box office and support groups, for example, and is not just cooperative but actually creative in his efforts.
I understand it is a joyous experience to work with Fred Sternfeld. He is assertive but not pushy, innovative yet responsible, gentle with people but firm in his principles. He is not a self-serving individual; his concern would be for Beck Center and Lakewood Little Theatre.
I know that Fred and his wife Randi hope to return to the Cleveland area, where they grew up, and make it their permanent home. They are an attractive and personable couple. I'm sure Dallas would be sorry to lose him, but I feel it would be a tremendous gain for us to have him back.
With all good wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Kenneth Haas
General Manager, The Cleveland Orchestra
from
John Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Berea Summer
Theatre, 2002
To Whom It May Concern,
I am writing to you regarding Fred Sternfeld.
In short, I would hire Fred again without any hesitation and would welcome his contribution to the organization.
Fred directed a production of The Man Who Came To Dinner for Berea Summer Theatre during the summer of 2002. In that position, he was responsible for all aspects of the production, including auditions, casting, consulting with and supervising the design team, and working within the regulations of Actor’s Equity Association, as the cast included a member of AEA. His strong interpersonal skills, his artistic vision, and his professional approach to every aspect of the production helped to make him a great success in each of these areas.
In addition to the specific responsibilities associated with his production of The Man Who Came To Dinner, Fred was always willing to help others with their projects, whether by assisting with casting, suggesting solutions to problems, or providing an objective opinion on an issue that was presented. His work was impeccable – always on time, always thorough, always correct.
The result of Fred’s vision, planning, effort, artistry and skill was a stunning production that made the timeworn classic comedy as funny as any modern work. Audiences were delighted by the show and many reported that it was the best production they had seen in a long time. Personally, I have to agree; it was a quick, funny, enjoyable show.
Beyond his impressive array of directing skills, Fred brings with him an all-too-rare quality – complete dedication. Upon arrival each day, Fred would begin work according to a carefully-designed schedule that maximized rehearsal time and minimized “down time” for those associated with the production. Fred would schedule his work for the day, accurately prioritizing the tasks before him and completing them to the complete satisfaction of everyone involved. He was responsible for many terrific suggestions that were put into effect during the course of his work, and he always presented these ideas as “better for the whole operation,” rather than as “Fred’s ideas.”
On a personal level, you will quickly see that Fred is bright and personable. He was a welcome addition to the staff and always brought a dedicated sense of artistic integrity, coupled with an appreciation for the realistic abilities of the production team to the workplace.
I can’t say enough good things about Fred Sternfeld but, if you’d like me to try, I would be happy to talk with you further. Please don’t hesitate to call me at home (216) 398-4241, or email me at JohnMartinNolan@aol.com
Once again, I would hire Fred Sternfeld again without a second thought. For me, that is the highest compliment that I can pay a co-worker. I think that you would be fortunate to have someone of the caliber of Fred working with you, and I encourage you to give him your highest consideration.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
John M. Nolan
Berea Summer Theatre Executive Director, 2001-2002