Condell, H. A. (Heinz A.)

H. A. Condell was a stage and costume designer in Germany and in the United States. He received his early training under the notable Max Reinhardt and his early work was under the auspices of the Berlin Civic Opera and the non-Aryan theater (also known as the Jewish Kulterbund), of which he was co-founder. Condell emigrated to the United States in 1938. His first major production after emigrating was SAINT JOAN directed by Erwin Piscator and starring Luise Rainer. In 1944 he began his affiliation with the New York City Opera which continued until his death in 1951. Besides working as a designer, Condell also taught stage design at the Dramatic Workshop and the Technical Institute where he was art director under Erwin Piscator.

From the guide to the H. A. Condell papers, 1929-1969, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)

H.A. Condell was a stage and costume designer in Germany and in the United States.

He received his early training under the notable Max Reinhardt and his early work was under the auspices of the Berlin Civic Opera and the non-Aryan theater (also known as the Jewish Kulterbund), of which he was co-founder. Condell emigrated to the United States in 1938. His first major production after emigrating was SAINT JOAN directed by Erwin Piscator and starring Luise Rainer. In 1944 he began his affiliation with the New York City Opera which continued until his death in 1951. Besides working as a designer, Condell also taught stage design at the Dramatic Workshop and the Technical Institute where he was art director under Erwin Piscator.

From the description of H.A. Condell papers, 1929-1969. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122571072

H.A. Condell was a stage and costume designer in Germany and in the United States. Born in Germany in 1905, his early training as a stage designer was under the notable Max Reinhardt. Early designs in Germany were under the auspices of the Berlin Civic Opera and the non-Aryan theater (also known as the Jewish Kulterbund), of which he was co-founder.

A refugee from Germany, Condell emigrated to the United States in 1938. His first major assignment in the United States entailed scenery designs for a production of George Bernard Shaw's SAINT JOAN, directed by Erwin Piscator and starring Luise Rainer. Other early assignments included work for the American League for Opera, the Austrian Theatre, Philadelphia's Academy of Vocal Arts, and the New York College of Music.

Later work in the United States included a career with the New York City Opera which began in 1944 and continued until his death. Condell's career included teaching stage design at both the Dramatic Workshop and the Technical Institute, where he was appointed art director under Erwin Piscator. He died in 1951 at the age of 46.

From the guide to the H.A. Condell stage and costume designs [graphic] / H.A. Condell, 1930-1959, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)