Jonathan Ringkamp

March 6, 1929 (age 57)

Brooklyn, New York, United States

After entering the Franciscan novitiate in Wyandanch, L.I., in 1955, he took his first vows in 1956 and his final vows in 1961. In 1962 he was a Fulbright scholar to the Academia di Belli Arti in Venice. Brother Jonathan taught at New York University and Brooklyn College, and last semester he taught writing and play production at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He taught also at a number of Catholic elementary and high schools in Brooklyn and on Long Island. In 1967, Brother Jonathan and the actress Geraldine Fitzgerald founded the Everyman Theater of Brooklyn as a street-theater company. For the company, he wrote ''Everyman and Roach,'' a rock opera with an Everyman moral. Brother Jonathan collaborated in 1976 with the singer Harry Chapin on a musical ''The Zinger''. ''Bella Figura,'' his play about a young Franciscan, was performed at the Ensemble Studio Theater in 1982. His ''Poisoner of the Wells,'' based on the Black Plague, was performed at Ensemble Studio Theater in 1983.

Jonathan Francis Ringkamp

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educator monk playwright

Background

Jonathan Ringkamp was born on March 6, 1929 in Brooklyn, in the family of Francis Bernard and Margaret Louise (Mercier) Ringkamp.

Education

Jonathan Ringkamp received Bachelor of Fine Arts at Pratt Institute in 1961. Then he earned Master of Fine Arts there Pratt Institute in 1967. He studied at Accademimia di belli arti in Venice, Italy, in 1961-1962.

Career

After entering the Franciscan novitiate in Wyandanch, L.I., in 1955, he took his first vows in 1956 and his final vows in 1961. In 1962 he was a Fulbright scholar to the Academia di Belli Arti in Venice.

Brother Jonathan taught at New York University and Brooklyn College, and last semester he taught writing and play production at St. Francis College in Brooklyn. He taught also at a number of Catholic elementary and high schools in Brooklyn and on Long Island.

In 1967, Brother Jonathan and the actress Geraldine Fitzgerald founded the Everyman Theater of Brooklyn as a street-theater company. For the company, he wrote ''Everyman and Roach,'' a rock opera with an Everyman moral.

Brother Jonathan collaborated in 1976 with the singer Harry Chapin on a musical ''The Zinger''.

''Bella Figura,'' his play about a young Franciscan, was performed at the Ensemble Studio Theater in 1982. His ''Poisoner of the Wells,'' based on the Black Plague, was performed at Ensemble Studio Theater in 1983.

Achievements

His greatest achievement is the founding of the Everyman Theater of Brooklyn with Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Works

Other Work
- Author: play The Dog Ran Away, 1972, Bella Figura, 1980, The Arbor, 1978, MidEast Crisis, 1982. Movie Rappallo and Sons, 1983, Clairvoyant, 1981.

Membership

Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn
Writers Guild
New York City Cultural Council

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

His essential theme is the relationship of the alienated yet passionate individual to his community, to tradition, and ultimately, to God.

Connections

As a monk, Jonathan had never been married.

Father:: Francis Bernard Ringkamp
Mother:: Margaret Louise (Mercier) Ringkamp
Brother:: Richard Ringkamp
Friend:: Geraldine Fitzgerald

Main Photo

School period

College/University

Career

Achievements

Membership

Awards

Other Photos

Connections

Friend: Geraldine Fitzgerald

Connections

Other Work

Jonathan Francis Ringkamp

Background

Education

Career

Achievements

Works

Other Work

Membership

Personality

Connections

Born

Died

Resting place

Nationality

Religion

Education

1961

1967

1961 - 1962

Career

1955 - 1961

1967 - 1978

1972

1982

Awards

Fulbright scholar Venice