Anthony Chase, assistant dean in Buffalo State University’s School of Arts and Sciences, was inducted into the Buffalo Theater District’s Plaza of Stars during the kickoff to the 41st anniversary celebration of Curtain Up! on September 9 in downtown Buffalo. The ceremony, held inside Shea’s 710 Theatre, was hosted by the award-winning actor, director, and former Plaza of Stars inductee Stephen McKinley Henderson. The Plaza of Stars honors Buffalo’s most talented and influential individuals in theater, including Christine Baranski, Michael Bennett, Saul Elkin, A. R. Gurney, Lorna C. Hill, and Vincent O’Neill.
Chase, who teaches theater history and graduate-level drama studies, is the founder and producer of the Artie Awards, which for 33 years have recognized excellence in Western New York theater while raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local AIDS charities. He has served as the host of Theater Talk on WBFO-FM 88.7 for more than 30 years, providing commentary on theater in Western New York, Southern Ontario, and across the continent. His reviews can be seen on his popular website theatertalkbuffalo.com.