Creatives in Practice: Wendy C. Goldberg
BU Professor of Directing created and executive-produced the competitive junior tennis docuseries, TOP CLASS TENNIS, leading to the development of a new play where BU acting major Thalia Gerloff read the lead role
CREATIVES IN PRACTICE: WENDY C. GOLDBERG
Boston University Professor of Directing created and executive-produced the competitive junior tennis docuseries, TOP CLASS TENNIS, leading to the development of a new play where BU acting major Thalia Gerloff read the lead role.
One thing that gravitates the next generation of artists to Boston University College of Fine Arts? Knowing that their professors, advisors, and mentors are also working artists, gaining real-world experience and bringing that back into the classroom through their curriculum, lessons, and talks. In CFA’s Creatives in Practice series, your favorite CFA faculty and staff members share the work they’re doing off campus, locally, nationally, and globally.
Growing up a junior tennis player, Wendy C. Goldberg, an award-winning director, professor, and head of the graduate MFA program in directing at Boston University School of Theatre, always longed to combine her storytelling efforts as a director/producer with some of her other passions. Seeing that tennis was her first love, Goldberg’s goal of combining multiple passions turned into an idea, then a tangible project, which can be streamed on Prime Video.
Goldberg is the creator and executive producer of the follow docuseries about competitive junior tennis, TOP CLASS TENNIS, which aired in summer 2024. The project was made with LeBron James’ production company, Uninterrupted, and professional tennis player and US Open Champion, Sloane Stephens.
In CFA’s Creatives in Practice series, Goldberg shares how other projects have stemmed from TOP CLASS TENNIS, including a new play she wrote called COURT 4. The new work had a one-day reading and evening performance, where BU acting major Thalia Gerloff (CFA’27) was invited by Goldberg to read the lead role.
Top Class Tennis image courtesy of Amazon/MGM Studios
Q&A WITH WENDY C. GOLDBERG
CFA: How does your new play COURT 4 connect with the tennis docuseries streaming on Amazon Prime?
Goldberg: COURT 4 is one of the projects that spun out of TOP CLASS TENNIS. It’s a play inspired by the work of playwrights Chekov and Annie Baker, set in a tennis racket club pro shop during the US Open storied run of former tennis player Jimmy Connors in 1991.
How does the story unfold in COURT 4?
The story follows one hour in the afternoon “golden hour” when a young elite tennis player and the long-time club receptionist discuss love, life, and tennis. Questions of identity and purpose come into play, and an intergenerational friendship emerges.
The play also features Hall of Fame Broadcaster and former professional tennis player, Mary Carillo (French Open Mixed Doubles Champion with John McEnroe) as herself in voice-over form. She also serves as the tennis consultant and historian.
Are there any BU or CFA connections in this project?
The play recently received a reading in New York City, produced by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and featured BU School of Theatre acting junior Thalia Gerloff, in addition to Mary Carillo. Development work on the piece will continue this season.
How does your involvement with this project connect to your role as an educator?
It’s always my hope to include students, whether it’s undergraduate students or my graduate directors, in my professional work. It feels like an opportunity for us all to benefit and grow.
It’s always my hope to include students, whether it’s undergraduate students or my graduate directors, in my professional work. It feels like an opportunity for us all to benefit and grow.
Connect with Wendy!
Wendy C. Goldberg has spent 20 years leading the foremost programs in the development, direction, and production of new works for the American Theater. As Artistic Director of the National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center for 16 seasons, under Goldberg’s tenure, the O’Neill was awarded the 2010 Regional Tony Award, the first play development and education organization to receive this honor.
At BU, Wendy serves as head of the Graduate MFA Program in Directing and Professor of Directing. At the School of Theatre, Wendy teaches Directing 3 and 4 courses, plus Graduate Director Colloquium for all student directors. Wendy also serves as faculty advisor and mentor to the students’ respective production work, planning for their professional careers.
Interested in connecting with Wendy on COURT 4, TOP CLASS TENNIS, or looking to learn more about BU’s MFA Directing program? Send her a note at wcg@bu.edu and follow on Instagram at @wgoldberg.
About Mentioned Programs
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in directing at Boston University College of Fine Arts provides early-career professionals with the opportunity to cultivate their artistic identities and professional objectives while refining and enhancing their technical skills and range. Individually designed with each student’s artistic strengths, challenges, and personal ambitions, BU’s MFA program in directing prepares students for a rewarding career, as resident or freelance directors, in a variety of fields.
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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: THALIA GERLOFF
Get the BU acting major’s perspective on working in COURT 4, her first paid theatrical work. For Thalia, the opportunity has allowed her to feel more confident working with experienced actors and how her training at BU School of Theatre has set her up for success.