Amy Herzberg Named 2005 Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award Winner

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Amy Herzberg

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Amy Herzberg, associate professor of drama and the director of performance studies, has been named the winner of the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching Award for 2005. The award is the highest honor given to a UA faculty member at the conclusion of the academic year and provides a $5,000 stipend.

“For many years, Amy Herzberg has won accolades for her stage direction and her sophisticated artistry,” said Donald Bobbitt, dean of Fulbright College. “She is an accomplished performer and a teacher whose classes are always in high demand. The Baum Award is another in a long list of honors for one of Fulbright College's best teachers.”

Herzberg has been a member of the university faculty since 1989. Her areas of academic interest include acting, audition techniques, musical theatre and performance. She is completing a textbook for musical theatre entitled “Acting Your Way Through Musical Theatre.”

Her teaching credits include graduate acting principles, modern styles of acting, comedy improvisation and advanced acting. In 2004, she delivered motivational addresses, “Everything I Ever Really Needed to Know, I Learned in Acting 101,” to the Nestle Corp. and “Funny Business: Comedy Improv Meets the Corporate World,” to Tyson Foods, Inc.

In his letter congratulating Herzberg, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith wrote, “You have been acknowledged as an outstanding teacher and mentor by your peers — within and beyond the University; also, by students and alumni, so it is fitting that you receive the Baum Award. The committee also recognized the extraordinary contributions you have made to the drama profession in acting, directing and writing.”

Herzberg’s professional theatre experience includes working as a director, musical director and actor in La Jolla Playhouse, George Street Playhouse, the San Diego Repertory Theatre (resident acting company member), the Firehouse Theatre Company and the Steamboat Repertory Theatre.

She has served as director for 24 UA productions, including “Picasso at the Lapin Agile;” director and musical director of “A Little Night Music;” and director of “Cabaret.” Herzberg directed two productions in 2004, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “Parade.”

In 2003, she was awarded the Kennedy Center’s ACTF National Acting Teacher Fellowship, as well as regional awards in 2002 and 2003.  The National Fellowship included two week’s study in the Teacher Development Program at the prestigious Actors Center in New York.

Herzberg completed her Bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University in 1980 and earned a Master’s degree from the California Institute of the Arts in 1984.

“I’ve always felt that it’s a great privilege to teach, especially here at the U of A with such gifted colleagues, such generous and talented students, and such a wonderfully warm community,” Herzberg said. “I am deeply honored to receive this award.”

A committee of students, faculty and alumni appointed by the provost select the Baum Award recipient. The award was established in 1997 by a gift from the Charles and Nadine Baum Foundation. Last year’s award went to Robert Stapp, associate professor of economics. Other past recipients include: Jeff Murray (2003), Douglas A. James (2002), Elliott West (2001), Lynda L. Coon (2000), Ro DiBrezzo (1999), Hamdy A. Taha (1998) and Doris M. Cook (1997).