By June April

NEW HAVEN — Doug Hughes, the artistic director at Long Wharf Theatre, believes in the power of theatre, and is acting on that belief. Since he came aboard at the legendary theatre some 2½ years ago, the education and outreach portion of the theatre’s budget has been increased to 50 percent. And he continues to do all that is in his power to make sure that the theatrical work is seen.

One of Mr Hughes’ most recent projects for the New Haven stage company was holding the director’s reins for the production of a world premiere, Anthony Giardina’s Black Forest. According to program notes, the new play takes an acute look at the fiendish complexity of academia. In the halls of a prestigious university, six professors are about to take a crash course in life. Black Forest is the story of Jacob Freundlich, a 4-something professor of comparative literature. He and his colleagues learn more than their students as they confront the sexual, ethical and intellectual minefields strewn along the tenure track.

“Black Forest is a play I’ve been yearning to get to,” Mr Hughes said during the play’s pre-production days. “Smart, sharp and funny, it very accurately takes the temperature of our times. I have a feeling people will be talking about this play.” Enjoying live theatre, and then extending that enjoyment into educated dialogues, are just the kind of marks Mr Hughes wants to leave every audience member with.

Mr Hughes’ is currently directing performances of Hedda Gabler, starring Martha Plimpton (see adjoining review).

Through his parents, both of whom are actors, Mr Hughes had an early exposure and appreciation of acting. He also attributes his strong interest in theatre to Arthur Alexander, his fifth grade teacher at St Luke’s in New York City.

“He had our class reading Shakespeare as a group,” Mr Hughes recalled recently with a smile. _“Being that Shakespeare’s plays are stories, great stories, our imaginations were lavished with the discovery of eloquent reading and exciting, complex situations.”

Mr Hughes views fine theatre as an elevating experience, one which can titillate and augment one’s imagination. Ay, there’s the rub, as Hamlet said, how to educate people to recognize fine theatre.

“I feel that audiences, no matter where they live, are interested in well-crafted, honest and passionate theatre experiences,” Mr Hughes emphasized.

Long Wharf has actively gone into the community, from schools to senior centers. The outreach programs include performances at other sites, such as the aforementioned locations, study guides, bringing students into the theatre to see a full play, and workshops.

Doug Hughes firmly subscribes to a philosophy of mutual respect: They will rise to that level and in turn feel lifted by the experience.

He acknowledges that there are regional differences in audiences. As a personal challenge, he occasionally directs productions throughout the United States.

“Though I’m not systematic about it,” he said with a laugh, “I made it very clear when I came here that I did not want to lost my standing as a director.

“It’s important to have colleague-ship,” he continued, “plus it’s one of the ways I can meet new people, keep my ear to the ground. Frankly I like to throw myself a few curves so I don’t become walled in.”

Mr Hughes stressed that the arts should be proud of what it offers and also be more aggressive in presenting challenging experiences.

Not one to sit back and savor his success at Long Wharf, Mr Hughes seeks to be challenged by directing in other theatres, in other parts of the country.

An Experiment with a Water Pump, written by Shelagh Stephenson, was a powerful production that hopefully will be produced at some point in this area. As associate artistic director of Manhattan Theatre Club, Mr Hughes took advantage of an opportunity to spread his artistic and directorial wings with the production.

However, with his primary focus remaining in Connecticut, Doug Hughes strives to broaden audience perceptions of what will be on interest to view, and educates and molds good taste in the theatre.