Bernard Bygott
A performer, director and designer, Bernard Bygott has been involved in many facets of The International Opera Theater. Mr. Bygott served as assistant director, lighting designer, technical director, and performer throughout the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Mr. Bygott's early lighting design credits include: International Opera Theater's 2003 original production of "Brundibar and The Children of Terezin" (featured on PBS), Amici Opera Company's "Pagliacci", and Wooden O Production's "Hamlet" (in which he played Fortinbras).
Other acting/singing credits include: Petruchio in "The Taming of the Shrew" (PA Shakespeare Festival, Willpower Tour), Zanni in "Wild Things Whirligig" (International Opera Theater), The Hunter in "Peter and The Wolf" (Lincoln Center, Avery Fisher Hall), Mime in "The Good Soldier Schweik" (Glimmerglass Opera), and Prixler in "Casting Call: Alien Invasion" (Laurie Beechman Theater, NYC). Mr. Bygott performed in the resident troupe of the American Shakespeare Center for two seasons where he took on Dromio of Ephesus in "The Comedy of Errors", Lavatch in "All's Well That Ends Well", Guildenstern, Francisco, and the Priest in "Hamlet", King Louis XIII in "The Three Musketeers", Tybalt and the Apothecary in "Romeo and Juliet", Richardetto in "'Tis Pity She's a Whore", Mistress Touchstone and Bramble in "Eastward Ho!", and eight characters in "The Brats of Clarence".
Bygott has also appeared with The NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble as Demetrius in "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Cornwall in "King Lear", and Borachio in "Much Ado About Nothing".
Bygott's first play, "Receiving Me", was premiered by IOT in 2007.
In 2008, Bygott was nominated for a Barrymore Award as part of an ensemble that adapted George Orwell's "Animal Farm" for the stage (with Mum Puppettheatre).
A graduate of Amherst College, Magna Cum Laude with High Distinction, Mr. Bygott was awarded The Raymond Kieth Bryant Prize for "Best Performance of the Year" for his portrayal of seven characters in Danny Hoch's one-person show "Some People".
Mr. Bygott has twice attended Maestro Antonio Fava's American International School for Commedia dell'Arte, and has been published in Maestro Fava's most recent book "Nazzi, Mustachi e Lazzi" ("Noses, Mustaches and Running Gags").
