setc news march 2013
DESCRIPTION
SETC News is a must-read publication, providing news and important information to members on upcoming SETC events, advocacy efforts, awards and competitions as well as items of special interest to the various divisions and interest areas. In addition, SETC News publishes news about people and organizations based in the Southeast.TRANSCRIPT
• HeineBrothers’Coffee–at5thandMain,rightacrossfromtheKentuckyCenterfortheArts.Greatlocalcoffeeshop.• 4thStreetLive–fastfoodcourtjustthreeblocks away. IncludesWendy’s, Subway,HardRockCafé&TGIFridays.More info: www.setc.org/images/Conven-tion2013/Lousiville_Good_Eats.pdfWHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE EVENING?Checkyourconventionscheduleforfestivalperformances,stagedreadings,workshopsand themanysocial eventshappeningattheconvention.ARE THERE LOCAL EVENTS, TOO?Yes,youcanget$10ticketstoplaysinthisyear’sHumanaFestivalat thenearbyAc-torsTheatreofLouisvillebyshowingyourSETC member badge at the box office.Ticketnumbersarelimited.Youalsocangetadiscounted rateof$30 fordinnerandaplayatDerbyDinnerPlayhouse,justashortdrive away, with the code SETC13. Moreinfo: www.setc.org/information-conventionandscrolldownto“EntertainmentOptions.”HOW DO I GET AROUND?MosteventsareinTheGaltHouseornearby.TheHighSchoolFestivalisattheKentuckyCenterfortheArts,afive-minutewalkaway.AshuttlewilltakeattendeestotheCommu-nityTheatreFestival.TheToonervilleTrolleyisavailablefortripsarounddowntown.
Setc 2 0 1 3
Social Media
in Louisville
March / April 2013
READY FOR LOUISVILLE? What to Do, Where to Eat, How to Get Around
March 6-10 v Louisville, KY
Eric BoothLeading Arts Advocate, Teaching Artist
“Applying 21st Century Skills to Create and Produce Art”
7p.m.Wednesday
David Gonzalez Storyteller, Musician, Poet, Actor, Writer
“The Warrior and the Fool: Being an Artist in These Hard Times”
2:30p.m.Thursday
Norm Lewis Tony-Nominated Actor, Singer
“The Broadway Family” 2:30p.m.Friday
Ken LudwigTony-Nominated Playwright
SETC Distinguished Career Award Recipient“The Flower of Art”
3p.m.Saturday
Please note new location due to large number of registrations: Todd Hall, The
Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts 8a.m.-3p.m.,Wednesday,March6
Moreinfo:www.setc.org/teachers-insti-tute-convention
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
TEACHER’S INSTITUTE
FEATURED GUEST ARTIST
Stephen WanghPlaywright, Director and Movement Expert
“The Joys of Stage Fright and the Success of Failure”
10:30a.m.Friday
WHERE CAN I GET A PROGRAM?You don’t have to wait until you get toLouisvilletomapoutyourdaysattheSETCConvention.Visithttp://setcconvention2013.sched.org now to view events and chartoutyourpersonalschedule,accessibleviaSmartphone,tabletorlaptop.Moreinfo:See“TheatreBytes”columnonPage8.WHERE IS REGISTRATION?TheSuiteTowersSecondFloorinTheGaltHouse,theconventionhotel,istheplacetopickupyourconventionpacket,getanswersattheInfoHubandbuyconventiongear.WHERE CAN I EAT IN THE HOTEL?The Galt House has six restaurants andlounges, ranging fromThelma’sDeli foraquick bite or coffee to the rooftop RIVUERestaurant to Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar,withover150Kentuckybourbons.WHAT OTHER OPTIONS ARE NEARBY?• “WhiskeyRow”–twoblockseastonMainStreet.IncludesDocCrow’s,TrollPubUndertheBridgeandPatrickO’Shea’s.• Saffron’s–fourblocksawayonMarketStreet.TastyPersianfood,ampleportions,vegetarianoptions.• BristolBar&Grill–between6thand7thStreetsonMain.TrytheGreenChiliWontons!• BluegrassBrewingCompany–juststepsawayatMainand3rdStreets.Greatburgers,pizzas,saladsandbrews.
Jointhefun!Shareyourthoughts,picturesandstoriesfromSETC2013onsocialmedia.
TweetwithusonTwitter:#setcTweetand#setc2013
Join the SETC twitter team by tweeting about your day!
FollowusonFacebook:SoutheasternTheatreConference
Post your experiences and highlights of the convention!
Costume Designer Lesl ie Yarmo hasdesigned internation-allyfortheatre,opera,dance,filmandtelevi-sion – including thefirst three seasons ofLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit. An as-sistant professor at
Salisbury University in Maryland,YarmoteachescostumedesignandcraftsaswellasaninterdisciplinaryclassinItaly.
Set designer Todd Rosenthal receivedthe 2008Tony Awardfor August: Osage County and a 2011TonyAwardnominationfor The Motherfu**er with the Hat. He de-signsonBroadwayandat regional theaters
acrossthecountryandabroad.RosenthalalsoisanassociateprofessoratNorthwest-ernUniversity.
Lighting Designer Michael Lincoln hasdesignedonBroadway,Off-Broadway, region-allyandinternationallyformorethan30years.Currently the interimdirector of the SchoolofTheateratOhioUni-versity, Lincoln also
has taught at NewYork University’sTischSchooloftheArtsandattheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia.
hisyear’sCharlesM.GetchellAwardcompetitionandstagedreadingwerecancelledduetothesuddendeathofChrisHardin,thechairoftheGetchellAward
Committee. In lieuof theGetchellstagedreadingthisyear, the Playwriting Committee will presentastagedreadingofTonyKushner’sA Bright Room Called Day.ItwasoneofChris’sfavoriteplays,andhewasinrehearsalwithitwhenhesuddenlycollapsedinJuly2012. Inhismemory,friendsandcolleaguesfromSETC,underthedirectionofPlaywritingCom-mitteechairSteveBurch,willpresentKushner’splayonFriday,March8,from7-9p.m.AsisusualfortheGetchellreadings, therewillbeanopenrehearsalonThursday,March7,from7-10p.m.Allareinvitedtoattendbothevents. SeePage5fordetailsonenteringthe2014Getchellcontest.
arahPendleton,ahome-schooledstudentinBiloxi,MS,isthe2013winnerofSETC’sHighSchoolPlaywritingContest.ShesharesthefollowingsynopsisforThe Perfect Law,her
winningplay:“WhenAva,ahistoryprofessor,viewsherfather’slat-estprogrammingfeat,CALAN,theworld’smostpowerfulcomputerdesigned to optimize the US legislativebranch,shesoonrealizesthatitsinhumanjudgmentwillchangethewaypeopleliveandfightstopreventhistoryfromrepeat-ingitself.” The Perfect Law willbepresentedasastagedreadingattheSETCConventionat10:30a.m.onSaturday,March9. EachyearSETCprovidesanemergingplaywrightinhighschoolwiththeopportunitytoattendtheannualconventionwithaparent/guardianandreceiveastagedreading/responseaswellasa$250honorarium. Moreinfo:www.setc.org/hs-new-play-contest-awards.
2
CONVENTION RESPONDENTS, READINGS
Home-Schooled Mississippi Student Wins SETC’s High School Playwriting Contest
Hear Distinguished Designers’ Presentation on Thursday
Community Theatre Festival Respondents
JamesA.BondStage DirectorNew York City
MurrayChaseExec./Artistic Director
Venice Theatre, FL
High School Theatre Festival Respondents
MichaelJ.BobbittProd. Artistic Director
Adventure Theatre MTC
DianeCarrDir. of Chapter RelationsEd.Theatre Association
BobbySmithActor/Director
Broadway/Regional
Theatre for Youth Festival Respondents
AliciaFussDir. of Education, Nashville
Children’s Theatre
SandraAsherPlaywright/Author of
Children’s Books
2013 Getchell Award Event Replaced by Staged Reading In Memory of Chris Hardin
Chris Hardin
T
S
InadditiontoadjudicatingentriesintheSETCDesignCompetition,the2013DistinguishedDesignersMichaelLincoln,ToddRosenthalandLeslieYarmowilltalkabouttheirworkattheannualDistinguishedDesignerKeynotepresentationat7p.m.,Thursday,March7.
CeceliaWingateActress/Director
Memphis, TN
10-Minute Play Respondent
MarkCharneyPlaywright, Theatre Chair, Texas Tech
Sarah Pendleton
The2013SETCConventionwillbeBarbaraDareHartwig’s tenthas theofficialSETCAuditionsChoreographer.Shespentnumer-
ousyearsworkingasEricNielsen’s assistant priorto taking over the posi-tion in 2003. Barbara iscurrentlyaresidentartistin dance and the cho-reographer at CoastalCarolina University inSouth Carolina, and aproudmemberofActors
EquityAssociation(AEA).Shealsodirects,choreographsandperformsforprofessionalregional theatres, touringcompanies,uni-versities,themeparksandcruiseships. Barbara began performing at a youngageintheoutdoordrama,The Lost Colony.Shewasacolonistchildforfouryearsandadancerfortwoyears.In2006and2007,shewentbacktoherroots,servingasthechoreographerfortheshow. Earlyinhercareer,BarbaradancedwiththeSanAntonioBalletbeforeearningabach-eloroffinearts(BFA)degreeinactinganddirectingfromUNC-Greensboro. “IgotmyfirstsummerstockjobatSETCwhenIwasincollege,”Barbarasays.“Itwaswith Glassboro SummerTheatre in NewJersey.EricNielsenwaschoreographerfortheseason,andhechosemeashisdancecaptain. I started assisting Eric at SETC.SETC also got me my first professionalchoreographyjob.” Barbara has performed on Broadwaywith Chita Rivera, danced at theWhite
House with Barysh-nikov,tourednation-allyinMe and My GirlandThe Will Rogers Follies, toured Eu-ropeasAdoAnnieinOklahoma!,andcanbeseenasanorphanin the movie Annie.Barbarawillbeavail-able for year-roundwork as a director,choreographer andperformer in August2013,whensheandherhusbandmovetoFlorida.
3
Barbara Hartwig
Professional Artist
Spotlight
Hiring through SETC: The Lost Colony
Professional Company Spotlight
SETChadanopportunityrecentlytocatchupwithLanceCulpepper,AssociateProducerforThe Lost Colony.Belowareexcerptsoftheinterview.
“SETC’s annual convention is an important part of our audition season. It is a terrific opportunity to be able to
see a large number of performers and technicians in one location.” - Lance Culpepper, Associate Producer
Brett Bolton (as John Borden) and Sydney Mitchell (as Eleanor Dare) contemplate the future of the settlement in TheLostColony.
PROFESSIONAL CORNER
Tell us about your company.The Lost Colony,writtenbyPulitzerPrize-winningplaywrightPaulGreen, is thena-tion’s longest-running symphonic drama.The Lost Colony’s 76th anniversary sea-sonopensMay31andplaysthroughAug.23,2013,atWatersideTheatreinManteo,NC.MillionshaveseenthisoriginalAmeri-can production that celebrates the 117English men, women, and children whomadeupthehistorical“lostcolony.”The Lost ColonyisproducedbytheRoanokeIslandHistoricalAssociation(RIHA)tocommemo-ratethehistoryofthefirstEnglishcoloniesinNorthAmericaonRoanokeIsland,NC.TheproductionopenedonJuly4,1937andiswidelyconsideredtobetheprecursortothemodernAmericanBroadwaymusical.What sets your theatre apart?We have a 1,535-seat outdoor amphithe-atre–TheWatersideTheatre.ThestageisoverthreetimeslargerthanmostBroadwaystagesinNewYork.Theaudienceiscradledbythestageandsidestages,whichextendalongsidetheaudienceonboththehouseleftandhouse right.Youwillbeseated in
thecenterofthestageareawithactionhap-peningonthreesidesofyouandsometimesrightnexttoyouintheaisle.Weofferaback-stagetourforabehind-the-sceneslookathowThe Lost Colonycomestolife.Thistourisuniqueinthatitallowsaudiencemembersbackstageduringfinalshowpreparations.Do you present other productions? Yes.In2013,weareproducingPuss in Boots.How do you find your cast and crew?We’ve been auditioning at SETC for 20years.It’sanimportantpartofourauditionseason, and we are able to see a largenumberofperformersandtechniciansinonelocation.Wealsoauditionlocallyandatotherunifiedauditions. It takesover200actors,technicians, designers, ushers, box officestaff and volunteersworking to bringThe Lost Colonytolifeforasummerseason.Theproductionisenormous.Allofouractorsandcrewarepaidprofessionals.Ourcompanymembersareabletoattendworkshopswithguestartiststhatarebroughtinduringtheseasonandhavetheopportunitytowork-shopperformancesandprojects.Moreinfo:www.thelostcolony.org
Barbara Hartwig plays Eleanor Dare in a 2006 special perfor-mance of TheLostColony.
Roa
noke
Isla
ndH
isto
rical
Ass
ocia
tion
orthoseinterestedintheatrehistory,theory,criticismandliterature,thisyear’sconventionoffersanumber
ofworkshops,panelsandmeetings.Theselearning and networking opportunities in-cludeworkshopsonChristopherHampton,the key plays of theatre history, Spanishcolonial theatre in Puerto Rico and manyothers. Ahighlightoftheconventionisthepre-sentation of the 2013SETCYoungScholar’sAwardwinningpapers.The undergraduatewinner is “Pretty onthe Outside, Ugly onthe Inside: 19th Cen-tury Peking Opera,”byKatherineCornwellMcHargue, an under-graduatestudentattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatGreensboro.Thegraduatewinneris“ReclaimingWhole-ness:TheDramaturgyofDisabilityinD.W.Gregory’sDirty Pictures” byBradleyStephen-son,agraduatestudentattheUniversityofMissouri.Thesepaperswillbepresentedat9a.m.Saturday,March9,attheconventioninLouisville. IfyouareinterestedinSETC’sscholarlyjournalTheatre Symposium,besuretoat-tendthesessionatnoononSaturday,March9,featuringhighlightsfromthelatestedition,focusedon“Ritual,ReligionandTheatre.” The annual meeting of theTheatreHistory,Theory, Criticism and LiteratureCommitteeisSaturday,March9,at1p.m.A portion of the meeting time will be setasideasaforumtodiscusscurrenttopicsandtrendsinthefield.Ifyouwouldliketogetinvolvedinthecommittee,weinviteyoutojoinusatthismeeting.
and Sound Design.The Design/TechnicalCompetitiondisplaysareopentothepublicinSegell/Stopher,sopleasecomeseethemagnificentarrayofstudentwork! We are thrilled to have three amazingDistinguishedDesignersthisyear: lightingdesignerMichaelLincoln,scenicdesignerTodd Rosenthal and costume designerLeslieYarmo.PleasejoinusThursdaynightat7p.m.inGrandBallroomAfortheannualDistinguishedDesignerkeynotepresenta-tion, where these designers will discusstheircareersanddesignprocessesaswellastakequestionsfromtheaudience. PleasealsojoinusfortheannualDesign&Technologyinterestareameetingat10:30a.m. on Saturday, March 9. For updatesthroughout the convention, follow us onTwitterat#SETC_DT.
4
hisyear’sSETCConventionissuretobeabusyoneifyouarecomingwithaninterestinactingordirecting.
We have numerous workshops thatwilltickleyourfancyinbothinterestareas.Fromcollegeauditionpreparationclassestostyle-specificclassesinMeisnertechniqueandphysicalactingforShakespeare’sclownrole,actorsofalllevelsandinterestwillfindaworkshopfitfortheirneeds.Directorswillalsohavea largeselectionofworkshops.Onethatpromisestobeintriguingis“Direc-torsTakeNote,”wherethree directors directthe same scene andwe get the opportu-nitytoobservedifferenttechniques and theiroutcomes. Ifyouarelookingfora great break to yourhecticday,besure tocheckout thealways-popular“RubberChickenImprovFestival.” Iwouldliketoinviteallinterestedactingand directing patrons to our interest areameeting on Friday, March 8, at 5:30 p.m.Joininontheconversationandletushearwhatkindofworkshopsyouwould like toseeattheSETCConvention. Austin Barrow, Chair
Acting/Directing Committee [email protected]
Sam Sparks, ChairHistory/Theory/Crit/Lit Committee
he Cultural Diversity Committeeis looking forward to an amazingconventioninLouisville.
This year we have keynote speakersDavidGonzalezonThursdayandthefabu-lousNormLewisonFriday. Also, we will continue our morningRoundtableDiscussionsThursdaythroughSaturdayat8a.m.Bringyourbreakfastandjoinusforlivelydiscussionsaboutcontem-poraryissues. Ifyouareateacher,youdonotwanttomiss the “More thanSkin Deep” presenta-tiononFriday,March8. In an effort to beeven more inclusive,Cultural Diversity isproudtoannouncethattherewillbeprogram-ming for those of uswhohave(orworkwiththose who have) dis-abilities.Makesuretoattendthe“ICANDoThat!” and “Incorporating American SignLanguageinMainstreamTheatre”presenta-tionsonFriday. Finally, everyone should attend theLGBTQ/Fairness groundbreaking perfor-manceofThis is My Heart for YoubySilasHouse,whichwillbepartoftheSETCFringeFestivalonSaturdaymorning.Thehourlongpresentation, which includes a live three-piecefemalebluegrassbandnamedSugar
historyExplore Young Scholar’s Award papers
acting/directingDiscover workshops for students and pros
diversityDiscuss issues over coffee
F
design/tech
Michael Barnett, ChairDesign/Tech Committee
Don’t miss designer keynote sessions
he Design &Technology Commit-teeisveryexcitedtohaveover70workshops covering all areas of
designand technologyon theprogramatthisyear’sSETCConvention.Youaresureto find many that will serve as wonderfulsourcesofentertainmentandeducation. JoinusinkickingofftheconventionwiththeDesign-TechMixer,sponsoredbyTOM-CATUSA,at8p.m.onWednesday,March6. This year we haveover 120 entrants inthe Design/TechnicalCompetition in Cos-tumeCrafts,CostumeDesign, Lighting De-sign, Properties De-sign, Scenic Design
INTEREST AREA NEWS, EVENTS
Adanma O. Barton, Chair Cultural Diversity [email protected]
T
T
Michael Barnett
Adanma O. Barton
Austin Barrow
Tree,wasoneofthemostsuccessfulplaysinKentuckylastyear.Thiswillbeyourlastchancetoseetheproductionwithitsoriginalcastmembers.Arriveearly toget agoodseat! Allwhoareinterestedinculturaldiversityare invited to joinusatour interestgroupmeetingonThursday,March7,at4:30p.m.
T
Sam Sparks
The workshops in theVoice andSpeech area at the SETC Con-ventionaregearedforall levelsof
learning, so take some time toexplore inLouisville. Never taken an accent/dialect class?ComejoinusforFrenchandScottishandArabicandIrish!Allarewelcome. Neverlookedattextfromavocalcoach’sperspective? Come explore a monologuethrough voice and movement or MichaelChekhov work through voice or poetrythrough textual analysis. Again, all levelsarewelcome! Neverencounteredamajorvocalpeda-gogy? Introduce yourself to CatherineFitzmauriceVoiceworkand Arthur Lessac’sconsonant orchestra.No experience neces-sary. Never st retchedyour vocal abilities?Play with pitch andresonanceinonework-shop, create a vocalworkoutinanother,andencounterthedemandsofoutdoortheatreinyetanother.Again,everyoneiswelcome! We are especially pleased to haveJoanna Cazden teaching a workshop onvocalhealth.Sheisaspeechlanguagepa-thologist,aprofessionalsingerandavocalcoach.Comehearherdiscusstakingcareofyourspeakingand/orsingingvoice.SheistheauthorofthepopularbookEveryday Voice Care: The Lifestyle Guide for Singers and Talkers.Iknoweveryonecouldusethisworkshop! TheVoice and Speech Committee ismoving into the 21st century. Like us onFacebook atSETCVoiceandSpeech, andfollowusonTwitteratSETCVoiceSpeech.If you have a specific voice and speechquestion,[email protected]. WealsohopetoseeyouinrealtimeattheannualVoiceandSpeechinterestareameetingat4:30p.m.onThursday,March7.
the process. Our meetings are used topublicizethemanyeventsthatourinterestgroupsponsorsattheconvention, includingthe High School NewPlayAwardandstagedreading.Inaddition,webrainstormonwhatwewould like to see atfutureconventions,in-cludingkeynotespeak-ersandworkshops.InLouisville,wewillalsodiscuss the temporarycancellationof thisyear’s Charles M. Getchell Award due tothesuddendeathofitschair,ChrisHardin,and thememorial staged readingofTonyKushner’sA Bright Room Called Day thatwillbeheldinitsplace.SeePage2formoredetailsonthestagedreading.
rom the Abydos Passion Play toDoubt,fromprehistorytothepres-ent,therehave
beenintriguingconnec-tions between religionand theatre. If you’reinterested inhowfaithand theatre intersect,please come to ourinterest area meetingonFriday,March8,at1p.m.We’llbediscuss-ing thepossibilityofaReligion&TheatreShortPlayFestivalatnextyear’sconvention. Youmightalsobeinterestedintheses-sion highlighting papers from last year’sTheatreSymposiumevent,whichfocusedon“Ritual,Religion,andTheatre.”Thatsessionisatnoon,Saturday,March9.Checkyourscheduleforotherworkshopsinthisarea. Ifanyofthesesessions–ortheareaingeneral–appealtoyou,pleaselookmeup.I’dlovetoseeyouinLouisville.
he Playwriting interest group willhave its annual meeting Friday,March 8, at 9 a.m. It is open to
all playwrights and anyone interested in
heStageMovementCommitteehasbeenworkinghardtobringqualityphysicalactor trainingto the2013
SETCConvention. SETC Featured Guest Artist StephenWanghjoinsustoteachtwomasterclasseson the Grotowski-based physical workdescribed in his book, An Acrobat of the Heart.Don’tmisstheopportunitytostudywithalegendinphysicaltheatreandhearhimdiscuss“TheJoysofStageFrightandtheSuccessofFailure”duringhiskeynoteaddressat10:30a.m.onFriday,March8. We also welcomeSarah Barker as theinauguralStageMove-ment Featured Pre-senter to teach twomasterclassesexplor-ing AlexanderTech-nique in training andperformance.TheFea-turedPresenterprogramhonorsateachingartistwhoistopinhisorherfieldandwhohasdevotedyearsofservicetofurtheringthe visibility and quality of SETC StageMovementprogramming.BringamonologuetoworkoninthemasterclassanddiscoverhowtheAlexanderTechniquecanrevolution-izeyourperformancework! ZFX Performer Flying and Aerial ArtsroundsoutthemasterclassofferingswithaerialworkonWednesday. Join us at 8 a.m.Thursday andFridayfor“ActorWarm-Ups.”Thentrya10-minute“AlexanderTechniqueMini-Lesson”tostartyourdaywithawarenessandease.Checkout your convention program for the fullscheduleofworkshopofferings. Finally, join us on Saturday, March 9,for “Explorations in Movement: ResponsetoStageMovementWorkshops”todiscussideasthatinspiredyouandwayswemightcontinue to serve you with great stagemovementprogramming.
Cara Rawlings, ChairStage Movement Committee
5
voice/speechExplore new territory with your voice
Discuss possible play festival
movementDiscover new ideas in master classes
Vivian Majkowski, ChairVoice and Speech Committee
religion
playwritingAttend play readings, meetings
Steve Burch, ChairPlaywriting Committee
T
T
F
E. Bert Wallace, ChairReligion and Theatre Committee
Steve Burch
INTEREST AREA NEWS, EVENTS
E. Bert Wallace
Cara Rawlings
Vivian Majkowski
T
Could You Be SETC’s Next Charles M. Getchell Award Winner?PlaysubmissionsacceptedMarch1-June1
Moreinfo:www.setc.org/new-play-contest-awards
tural Arts Coating(ScenicDesign)andan anonymous donor in honor of Irene Smart Rains (Costume Design). Spon-sorships have allowed us to grow thiseventinrecentyears,withtheadditionofcompetitionsinSoundDesign,sponsoredbyShure, Inc.;CostumeCraftsDesign,sponsoredbyMy Own Fringemaker;andPropertyDesignandConstruction,spon-soredbyFriendsofProps.Inaddition,twoprofessionaltheatres–Triad StageandChildren’s Theatre of Charlotte – aresponsoringourReadyforWorkAwardbyprovidingaworkopportunitytotwogradu-atedesigners. ThecompaniesthatstepuptosponsoreventsattheSETCConventionarecriticaltoitssuccess,helpingustakeeventsandprogramming toeverhigher levelsaswestriveto…connectyoutoopportunity.
2
Building Synergy and Partnerships Executive Directors of National, State Theatre Organizations Come Together to Share Ideas, Goals at SETC Convention
Who Provides the Lights? Sound? Prizes? And More? Meet the Sponsors that Make It Possible for SETC to Host a Stellar Convention
SPONSOR CONTRIBUTIONS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FORUM
Y
6
ou probably already know thatSETC’s annual convention is amammoth event that requires
untoldhoursofplanning,organizationandoversight by SETC volunteers and theCentralOfficestaff. Butdidyouknow thatourconventionswouldn’tbepossiblewithoutawholeothergroupofpeopleandorganizations?Thesebehind-the-scenes players are the manysponsorswhoprovideequipment, fundingand other support for events during theconvention. Let’sstartwith thedonationsofequip-mentandservices.Magnum Companies,ouron-sitelightingsponsor,lightseverythingfromtheauditionstotheon-sitefestivalstotheAwardsBanquetonSaturdaynightasagifttoourorganization.Atlanta Workshop Playerscontactsuseveryyeartoaskifwewouldliketousetheirsoundsystem.Bothdonationssaveusthousandsofdollars. TOMCAT USAcontinuesitsannualspon-sorshipofourpopularopeningnighteventforthoseinvolvedinthedesign-techarea:theDesign-TechMixer.Additionalcommer-cialexhibitorsjointhefestivitiesbydonatingprizesthataregivenawayatthisevent. Theotherbigopeningnightsocialeventthis year, a reception for presenters andprofessional company representatives, issponsoredbyDisney Theatrical Group. NewatconventionthisyearistheCom-mercial Exhibitor Showcase & Social thatfollowsThursday’s keynote address. Allprogramming will stop from 3:45 to 4:30p.m., giving convention attendees time tobrowseexhibitswhilemunchingonsnacksandsippinglemonade.Hollins Exposition Services, Barbizon Lighting Co., Hall Associates Flying Effects andDramatic Publishingaremakingthiseventpossible. Dramatic PublishingalsosponsorstheannualTheatre forYouthMeet&Greet,agreatwaytoendthedayafter thefestivalandcritiqueonThursdaynight. Mainstage Theatrical and BarbizonaresponsoringtheCollegeandUniversityDivisionMeetingandReceptionthisyear. Dramatists Play Service offers thewinningtheatresintheCommunityTheatreFestivalacashprizeeachyear. NorcostcoofferstheHighSchoolThe-atreFestivalwinnersagenerousproductgift. Master classes are made possible byZFX Flying Effects, which worked withSETCthisyeartoprovidethefirsthands-on
flyingmasterclassforconvention attendeesin its Louisville studiospace, and New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts,whichgenerouslydonateditsequipmentandexper-tise for the Acting forCamerasession. Electronic Theatre Controls (ETC) do-nated the light boardfor the Light Lab thisyear. Last, but definitely not least, are thesponsors who help make our DesignCompetition possible by offering prizemoneyand/orproduct.Longtimesponsorsinclude ETC (Lighting Design), Sculp-
maginethesynergy,thenewpart-nerships and the overall benefitstotheatrethatmightdevelopifthe
executivedirectorsofnational,regionalandstate theatreorganizationscame togetherface-to-faceinonelocationtonetworkandshare experiences, procedures and bestpractices. Thisyear,theSETCConventionwillpro-videthesettingforthatmeeting.Executivedirectors from five of the national theatreorganizations will join me for roundtabledialoguesonThursdaymorningandFridaymorningpriortojoiningthestateexecutivedirectorsforaSaturdayforum. This is the first year for the nationalexecutive directors’ meeting. Executivedirectors from the10 southeastern stateshavemetannuallyduringtheconventionforthelastdecadetosharebestpracticesandlook for solutions to unique and commonchallenges. SETC welcomes the following to theinauguralExecutiveDirectorForum:• Marci Granahan from the American
Alliance forTheatre and Education(AATE);
• JulieCrawfordfromtheAmerican Asso-ciation of Community Theatre(AACT);
• JulieWoffington from the EducationalTheatreAssociation(EDTA);
• MichaelHardywiththeInstituteforOut-doorDrama(IOD);
• David Grindle with the United StatesInstituteforTheatreTechnology(USITT).
Duringourexchanges,we’lllearnmoreabout each organiza-tion’s missions andgoals,andtheinternaland external proce-dures developed tomeet them.We alsowill seek to enhancethe networking op-portunities betweenourorganizationsandlookforwaysinwhichwe can support eachother’sgoodwork. G a t h e r i n g t h i sgroup together has been an objective ofmine formanyyears. I believewecanalllearn from each other’s experiences andwork together to enrich each other’s pro-grams,whichcanonlybenefitourfield.Wejust needed a location in which we couldbegin the dialogue. Louisville is perfect!Wishusluck.
FromtheExecutiveDirector
BetseyBaun
FromthePresident
JackBenjamin
I
he money needed to offer the firstTomBehmAwardhasbeenraised, thankstoagenerousdonationbyJohnF.Spiegel,
assistant professor of theatre at Piedmont Col-legeinGeorgia.Spiegel,whopreviouslydonated$5,000,gaveanother$15,000 thiswinter to theaward,whichisdesignedtoprovideprofessionaldevelopmentfundstopeopleworkingintheThe-atreforYouthfield. Afterlearningofthedonation,Behmsaidhewas“humbledbyJohn’sgenerosity.SohappyforSETCandtheatreforyouth!” Apioneerinthefieldofchildren’stheatre,Behmretiredin2002fromafacultypositionattheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatGreensboro,wherehealsowasartisticdirectoroftheNorthCarolinaTheatreforYoungPeople.Spiegel,aformerstudentofBehm’s,initiatedtheawardasawayofrecognizingBehm’stremendousimpactasateacher.
very year I look forward to the SETCConvention.Itisagreatchanceformetomeetthefolkswhoreadthiscolumn.
Thisyear,I’mpresentingtwodifferentsessions. MyfirstsessiononThursday,March7,at1p.m., is “Beyond the Rainbow,” a presentationanddiscussionaboutdiscriminationissuesinthetheatre. My second session on Friday, March 8, atnoon,is“SpiderManHasItAll:LegalIssuesforTheatre.”Itwillcoveralltypesoflegalissuesfortheperformingarts:copyright,con-tracts,personalinjury,employment,censorship,nonprofits,collaborationsandmore. Atbothsessions,therewillbeanopportunityforquestionsfromthoseattending.SeeyouinLouisville.
Theatre and the Lawby Dan Ellison
Ask the Lawyer: Bring Your Questions to the SETC Convention
Dan Ellison is a Durham, NC-based attorney with a concentration in arts-related law and nonprofit law. He can be reached at [email protected]. The contents of this column are intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstance.
AQ I haven’t signed up yet for any master classes at the SETC
Convention.AretheresomethatIcanattend?
Yes!PreregistrationisnotrequiredfourmasterclassesthatareincludedinyourSETCregistration.This includes two master classes in Alexander Technique,
as
k S
ET
C
3
CONVENTION BRIEFS, STATE NEWS
MISSISSIPPITheatre Association
TheMississippiTheatreAssociationhelditsannualfestivalinJanuary.Number Attending:662.Winners of Community Theatre Festival: 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,TupeloCommunity Theatre,Tupelo,MS;The Boys in Autumn,CompanyofAngels,Meridian,MS.Winner of High School Theatre Festival: In a Grove,O a k G r o ve H i g hSchool, Hattiesburg,MS.Idea to Share: Bring Makeup Artist in to Speak on Career. Wehadanex-cellentkeynotespeakerthisyear.MakeupartistandfellowMississippianBillyBrasfieldspokeabouthiscareerandinspiredattend-ees,youngandold,tobetruetothemselves.Hewasaninspiringspeaker.- Stephen Cunetto, MTA Executive Director
7
Stephen Cunetto
E
ouldyouliketobeamemberoftheEditorialBoardofSouthern Theatre,SETC’saward-winningmagazine?
Severalslotswillbecomeopenlaterthisyearasmembers’termsontheEditorialBoardexpire.Ifyouhaveaninterestinservingontheboardorwritingforthemagazine,thisisagreattimetogetinvolved.Tolearnmore,makeplanstoattendthesession,“BecomeaWriterorEditorialBoardMemberforSouthern Theatre,SETC’s PopularMagaz ine,” a t10:30 a.m. onFriday, March 8.At this meeting,you will receivei n f o r m a t i o naboutwritingforthe magazine,a s w e l l a sd e t a i l s o nqual i f icat ions forbecomingamemberoftheEditorialBoard.Professionals, teachers and students allmaywriteforSouthern Theatre andserveon theEditorialBoard.Writersare invitedtobringpotentialstoryideastothemeetingfordiscussion.
Southern Theatre Magazine Has Openings on Editorial Board
W
presentedbySarahBarker,anationallyrecognizedleaderinmovementtraining.Thefirst,forprofessionalsandprofessors,isWednesday,March6,from5:30-7p.m.Thesecond,forstudents,isThursday,March7,from1-2:15p.m.
YoualsomayattendAuditioning for Pop-Rock Musicals,presentedbyBroadwayauditioncoachV.P.Boyle,onThursday,March7,from10:30a.m.-12:45p.m.,andAudition Mastery,presentedbytalentagentMarkRedantyofBauman,Redanty&Shaul,onThursday,March7,from4:30-6p.m.
Volume LIV Number 2 • Spring 2013 • $8.00
Flying EffectsShould You Take Your Next Production to New Heights?Emotional HangoverWhat Are the Symptoms?How Can Actors Avoid It?
Tom Behm Award Receives $15,000 Donation
John Spiegel
T
Tom Behm
Lookforanumberofbooksigningsat locationsthroughouttheconvention.AmongthosesigningbookswillbeDistinguishedCareerAwardrecipientKenLudwig,FeaturedGuestArtistStevenWangh,AlexanderTechniquemasterclasspresenterSarahBarkerandTheatreforYouthFestivalrespondentSandraAsher.
BOOK SIGNINGS
atch out! SETC’s convention schedule isgoing cyber.Yes, we’ll still receive printedprograms,whichhidefromusnowandthen,but
wealsohaveagreatnewWebalternative. This year SETC is offering “Sched,” an onlineapplication containing a complete schedule of ourconvention’s456sessionsandeventsalongwithawholebunchofniftyfeatures,includingthecapacityto develop a private convention schedule for everyparticipant. If you can access theWeb by laptop,smartphoneortablet,youcancheckthescheduleinstantly.Lifeisgoingtobealoteasier. “Wehavebeenprovidinganonlineschedule,butitwasverylimitedinfeatures,”saysQuianaClark-Roland,programassociateinSETC’sCentralOffice.“Wewerelookingforanonlineschedulethatwasmoreaccessible,user-friendlyandinteractive.WewereexcitedtofindthatinSched.org.” Judi Rossabi, SETC’s communications and marketing manager, walked me throughSched’sfeatures.Tobuildyourownschedule,gotoSETC’shomepageandclickon“Con-vention”(inthehorizontallistoflinksdirectlyunderthepictureandthemasthead).YouwillimmediatelybetakentotheConventionpage.Clickon“Schedule”inthelefthandmenu.WhentheSchedulepageopens,clickonthe“SETCConvention2013Schedule”link.ThiswilltakeyoutotheSETCConventionScheduleinSched.org.Thedirectlinkishttp://setc-convention2013.sched.org. Tocreateyourownconventionschedule,eithersignuporlogintoSched.org.YoualsohavetheoptionoflogginginwithyourFacebookaccount.Onceyouareloggedin,youcanaddapictureifyoulikeandbegintobuildyourownschedule! Acrossthetopofthepage,youwillseethefollowingheaders: Schedule Speakers Sponsors Exhibitors Advertisers Attendees Toseetheentireconventionschedule,clickon“Schedule.”Tobuildyourownschedule,clickonthestarsofthesessionsyouplantoattend.Toviewyourschedulelater,clickonthe“MySched”optionthatappearsinadropdownmenuwhenyouplacethecursoronyourphoto–andyourschedulewillappear.Thewebsiteisalsomobile-friendly,soyoucanpullupyourschedulewithyoursmartphone. Withhundredsofsessionsscheduledduringtheconvention,itmaybedifficulttolocateeveryeventthatyouwanttoattend.Inthatcase,youmayfinditeasiertoaccessprogram
Robert E. Ankrom, the formerexecutivedirectoroftheFloridaTheatreConference, passed awayThursday,January3,2013.Ankrom,aprofessorattheUniversityofMiamiformorethan40years,wasthe2012recipientofSETC’sSuzanne M. Davis Memorial Award,
giventorecognizeser v ice to theo r g a n i z a t i o n .A n k r o m a l s ow a s S E T C ’ scollege/universitycoord ina tor inthe high schoolauditionsroomformany years and
served two terms as Florida’s staterepresentativetoSETC.
ONLINE CONVENTION PROGRAM, PEOPLE NEWS
8
PEOPLEonthemove
In Memoriam
SETC Convention Program Is Now Interactive!Access Your Personal Schedule via Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop
SETC News is published bimonthlyfor the SoutheasternTheatre Confer-ence.Deadlinefornextissue:April10.Please send news items to:DeannaThompson,EditorPhone:336-292-6041E-mail:[email protected]:SoutheasternTheatreConference1175RevolutionMillDrive,Studio14Greensboro,NC27405Phone:336-272-3645E-mail:[email protected]:www.setc.org
Where to Send News
W
by Don Wolfe
Theatre Bytes
offeringsbysubject.Lookdownthe listofinterestareasontherighthandsideofthescreen.Clickonacoloredcirclebesideanyof the topics.You will immediately see allofthesessionswithinthatsubjectlistedinchronological order. Again, you may addsessionstoyourschedulebyactivatingthestarbesideeachsessiontitle. Ifyouwanttoseewhatyourfriendsaredoing,lookforthesearchboxatopthelistofsubjects(rememberthecoloredcircles).Typethefirstnameofthefriendyouwantandclickthe“Search”button.Youwillgetalistingofall the“Mike’s”orwhoever.Onceyoufindyourfriend,justclickonthenametolookathisorherschedule. Schedisaresourcethatmaybeusefulforyouandyourorganization.Anyonecanuseitfora$99fee.LookitupontheWebatSched.org.
Don Wolfe is professor emeritus at Wake Forest University and a former SETC President. He can be reached at [email protected].
Michael Flowers,a professor of theatreatBirminghamSouth-ern College, recentlyreceived theAlabamaConference of The-atre’sMarianGallawayAward,givenforcontri-butionstotheatreinthestate. He has been amemberofthecollege’sfacultysince1984.
heckyourconventionprogramforalistingofthesocialeventsatSETC2013,fromopeningnighteventsto
theclosingnightawardsceremony. Agreatwaytoendyourconventionexpe-rienceisattheSETC President’s Reception, Banquet Gala and 64th Annual Awards Ceremony,beginningat7p.m.onSaturday,March9,withentertainmentbyPULSEDanceCompanyfromClaflinUniversityinOrange-burg,SC.Thiseventisopentoall.Banquetticketsare$30andcanbepurchaseduntil5p.m.Thursday,March8,attheRegistra-tionDesk inTheGaltHouse.TheGala isfollowed by the Celebration Dance, from10p.m.-Midnight.Allarewelcome.DanceintothenightwithmusicprovidedbyDJYaBoiBoi.
Louisville, KY March 6 - 10SETC 2013
Connect with Friends at SETC Social Events in Louisville
C