Gainesville Theatre Alliance Prospectus

Gainesville Theatre Alliance is a one-of-a-kind, nationally-recognized collaboration between the University of North Georgia and Brenau University.

EDUCATION THROUGH COLLABORATION Gainesville Theatre Alliance, a unique collaboration, is the combined theatre departments of Brenau University and the University of North Georgia. Theatre majors from both institutions take classes together on both campuses, work together on all production projects, and share the benefits of our challenging Guest Artist Program, which brings in professional theatre artists to work with our students in design, performance and direction.

We are dedicated to: • Fostering collaboration and true ensemble • Honoring integrity in artistic process • Inspiring generosity in spirit, both for artists and audience What began with one theatre space and a handful of students has grown to a nationally-recognized professional training program that develops theatre artists in five different theatre spaces, employs 19 full-time professionals, delights over 20,000 patrons, and serves over 200 theatre students annually.

Our graduates are working professionally in theatre worldwide.

Brenau University Facilities Hosch Theatre a 340-seat proscenium built in 2002 Pearce Auditorium a 700-seat opera house built in 1878 Theatre on the Square a 299-seat proscenium built in 1978 Black Box Theatre a small, flexible performance space

Brenau University degrees available: BA Theatre BFA Acting BFA Musical Theatre BFA Theatre Design & Technology

A classic liberal arts college, Brenau University features small, collaborative classes led by experts and scholars with a passion for teaching. Learning at Brenau is designed to prepare students for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.

UNG Facilities Ed Cabell Theatre a 210-seat three-quarter thrust stage The Wonderbox 2,000 square-foot multipurpose design lab GTA Scene Shop 3,500 square-foot fully equipped shop Yeagerlab 1:6 scale mini lighting lab GTA Sound Lab State-of-the-art 5.1 surround sound design lab

University of North Georgia degrees available: BFA Theatre Design & Technology Areas of focus include: Scenic/Costume Lighting/Sound Tecnical Direction/ Stage Management University of North Georgia, a University System of Georgia leadership institution, is a regional university committed to educational excellence, leadership development and community engagement. UNG’s institutional values—excellence, student-focus, integrity, engagement, and service—are essential to their identity and mission of preparing students to become leaders in a diverse and global society.

DEGREE PROGRAMS

BA in Theatre The B.A. in Theatre is a flexible, self-designed liberal arts degree providing a substantial grounding in the dramatic arts. Alongside GTA’s rigorous theatre core curriculum, B.A. students have the freedom to select a wide range of courses at multiple levels. The adaptable nature of this degree supports students’ future careers as performers, designers, directors, playwrights, dramaturgs, performance theorists, theatre historians, theatre educators, theatre managers, and much more.

BFA in Theatre Design & Tec

The B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Technology uses hands-on experience and individualized mentorship to prepare students for myriad careers in the industry. Concentrations include costume design and technology, scene design and technology, lighting design and technology, sound design and technology, technical direction, and stage management. With access to GTA’s extensive and cutting-edge cross-campus facilities, this degree program provides abundant educational opportunities for developing designers and technicians.

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BFA in Musical Theatre

The B.F.A. in Musical Theatre prepares students as competitive triple threats. With the support of the nationally-renowned Brenau University dance department and GTA’s award-winning musical theatre and acting faculty, this degree provides comprehensive training in music, acting, dance, and the integration of this training into cohesive performance technique.

BFA in Acting

The B.F.A. in Acting is a comprehensive study in acting for both theatre and film, designed to prepare students for careers as lifelong working actors in today’s industry. GTA’s faculty of award-winning, working industry professionals teach in a supportive, focused, and intense environment for the developing artist. The B.F.A. acting degree encompasses challenging performance training—integrating voice, movement, and acting within a wide range of styles and techniques.

PRODUCTION SEASON

MAINSTAGE The quality of production activity at GTA is more rigorous and challenging than that found at most colleges and universities at the undergraduate level. In essence, GTA is a professional theatre attached to a college theatre program. This model is otherwise found almost exclusively in highly competitive conservatory programs.

Our mainstage season traditionally includes five professionally produced shows. We select seasons to serve both our students and audiences, providing experiences with major musicals, contemporary and classic plays and a healthy dose of period and Shakespearean productions. WonderQuest, GTA’s theatre for young audiences, has a devoted family and school audience of over 8,000 patrons annually.

WonderQuest, GTA theatre for young audiences, stands out as the only organization in North Georgia dedicated to offering professional theatre specifically for children and their families. WonderQuest is dedicated to lighting the fire of the mind and performs for 8,000 school and family patrons annually.

Discovery Series The GTA Discovery Series showcases our students in ways that mainstage shows cannot, through experimental, smallerscale productions that allow for student growth and opportunity. Featuring students in professional roles both on and off the stage, the Discovery Series creates a space for students to turn classroom knowledge into real-world experience.

GUEST ARTISTS

Alan Kilpatrick (left) and David DeVries (right), The Producers

While other theatres offer intern programs, our Guest Artist Program invites professional theatre artists to serve as mentors, teachers, and role models guiding our students as they enter the professional theatre world.

“GTA is a place of professional and personal growth where you can find the beauty of the world through theatre and the beauty of your art in the world.”

—Viktoria Capek-Grey Class of 2018

Donna Biscoe, Actor Mama, A Raisin in the Sun

“Nothing raises the bar more than working hand in hand with successful professional artists.

Nowhere else can you experience the networking opportunities found within the walls of GTA.” —Stefanie Maiya Lehmann Class of 2013 “GTA is where you start as a student and end as a professional. It takes the ideas of family, hard work, education, and excellence and blends all of them into a program unlike anything else.”

—Patrick Wade Class of 2014 David Rosetti, Director & Choreographer

Repertory Company The touring repertory company has a rich tradition throughout the history of theatre. In addition to serving as an unparalleled training ground for developing actors, the GTA Repertory Company has long been a source for outreach to individuals and groups who may otherwise have little opportunity to enjoy professional theatre. The GTA RepCo offers free performances to schools, community groups, and hospitals throughout northeast Georgia every other year, benefitting both students and community.

GTA GRADUATES SUCCEED ACADEMICALLY

Many of our alumni attend graduate school, almost all of them on full assistantships. GTA graduates have continued their education at some of the most prestigious gradate programs including: • Yale University • American Conservatory Theatre • Virginia Commonwealth University • DePaul University • University of Houston • University of Washington

• Florida State University • Louisiana State University • University of Southern Mississippi • University of North Carolina • Columbia University • Cincinnati Conservatory of Music

GTA GRADUATES SUCCEED PROFESSIONALLY Over 82% of GTA graduates are working professionally in the performing arts.

GTA alumni are in front of and behind the camera in the booming Atlanta film industry, and on and offstage in leading theatres the world over including: The Alliance Theatre Atlanta, GA Disney Theatrical Group Lookingglass Theatre Company Chicago, IL The Blue Man Group Las Vegas, NV Illinois Shakespeare Festival Cirque du Soleil La Jolla Playhouse La Jolla, CA Lincoln Center for the Perorming Arts New York, NY New York Fringe Festival Playmakers Repertory Company Chapel Hill, NC Yale Repertory Theatre New Haven, CT The Lyric Theatre Atlanta, GA Chicago Dramatists Helen Hayes Theatre New York, NY Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, CA Irish Repertory Theatre New York, NY New Victory Theatre New York, NY Wintergarden Theatre Toronto

CONTACT US We know you may have many questions about the logistics and benefits of our unique collaboration between two different schools. The best way to gain an understanding of the program is to attend a GTA audition event, either in-person or virtually, where you will see our work, have the chance to meet current students, and discuss your academic and career goals with faculty and staff.

DEPARTMENT HEADS Jayme McGhan Artistic Director/UNG Head of Theatre

jayme.mcghan@ung.edu

Tracey Brent-Chessum Associate Artistic Director/ Brenau Chair of Theatre

tbrent-chessum@brenau.edu

GTA PROGRAM DIRECTORS Tracey Brent-Chessum BA Theatre tbrent-chessum@brenau.edu

Celeste Morris BFA Design & Technology celeste.morris@ung.edu

Rick Gomez BFA Musical Theatre rgomez1@brenau.edu

Zechariah Pierce BFA Acting zechariah.pierce@ung.edu

FOR AUDITION INQUIRIES Joslyn Hilliard Managing Director joslyn.hilliard@ung.edu

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