Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.
CONVENTION NEWS 2015
March 4-8, 2015
From Our Keynote Speakers Ben Vereen—who we’re thrilled to welcome to SETC as the 2015 Distinguished Career Award recipient—once said, “If we plant the right seeds, tomorrow will be better. If you put out good things, then you’ll get good things back. That’s part of our responsibility as entertainers.” This year’s keynote speakers are living up to that responsibility. We asked each of these acclaimed theatre professionals to tell us, in their own words, what they plan to bring—and take away from—their time at the convention. They’re all excited to plant the seeds of their own knowledge, passion and experience. But they’re also looking forward to their own personal growth through connecting with members of our theatre community. Each mentioned an eagerness to work with others who are ready to share their own good ideas and to help plant and foster the new thoughts, practices and technologies that will ensure a better tomorrow for theatre.
10th Annual Teachers Institute Wednesday, March 4, 2015 9:00AM-4:00PM Drama-Based Instruction: Activating Learning in and Through the Arts
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Greensboro, NC Permit No. 744
In this pre-conference seminar, Katie Dawson and Lara Dossett, from the University of Texas at Austin, explore the theory and practice of drama-based instruction and its use in the arts and non-arts curriculum. They will share examples and resources which explore how drama-based instruction can be used for sustainable improvement in K-12 school culture, teacher satisfaction and student success. Pre-registration required. Fee: $85.
Chattanooga, TN
Ben Vereen
Kristin Linklater
2015 Distinguished Career Recipient 2:30PM Saturday Keynote
The Art and Craft of Voice 2:30PM Friday Keynote
Few entertainers today can claim a career as celebrated and extensive as Ben Vereen’s. As a stage and screen actor, singer, dancer, speaker and humanitarian, Vereen has touched many lives with his many talents. On Broadway, he’s appeared in legendary productions of Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin and Wicked—to name a few. His role in Pippin earned him both a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” In addition to touring the U.S. and Europe with a variety of one-man shows, Vereen’s credits include memorable television roles such as ‘Chicken’ George Mason in Roots and guest appearances on pop culture favorites like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Star Trek – The Next Generation and Law and Order: Criminal Intent. For over 40 years, Ben has showcased his versatility and creativity, performing countless one-man shows not only in the United States, but also Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. He was the first simultaneous winner of the “Entertainer of the Year,” “Rising
Star,” and “Song and Dance Star” awards from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). The lecture circuit has become an integral part of Ben’s career as one of the nation’s most requested speakers among audiences of all ages. His strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to reach out to his audiences and convey a deep feeling of understanding. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, Black history, motivational topics, recovery through physical and occupational therapy, and the importance of continuing education—to name a few. Despite his varied work, there’s always been a special place in his heart for the stage. The theatre was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me a lifetime. —Ben Vereen
Katie Dawson —Educator, Artist, Author, Global Consultant, Playwright, —Actress, Producer Awakening the Power and Potential of the Arts: Reflexive Thinking 7:00PM Wednesday Keynote “Why do you do the work you do? What is it about the practice of creating, performing and receiving theatre that enables you to be your best self? As a university professor focused on the pedagogy and practice of teaching in and through theatre, I am thrilled to have this opportunity to engage with such a large, diverse group of artists about questions that I believe are essential to every artist’s practice. “John Dewey (1933) reminds us that to learn we must reflect on experience. Reflective practice encourages a collaborative partnership between artist collaborators, artists and audience. By naming what has happened and why, reflection improves our capacity to transfer our learning from one situation to another and invites us to reclaim our agency to shape our destiny in a field where we often feel shaped by outside forces. “The prevailing challenge is that much of modern education, even within the arts, is based on ‘imitate this, memorize that’ practices that do not promote the development of imaginative, creative thinkers. Instead, our training programs produce short-term showpieces of preordained achievement. Without an effort to make our thinking visible we run the risk of being, as Shakespeare might say, ‘full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.’ I look forward to engaging with the community of SETC. Together we will explore how simple strategies from the fields of education and drama/theatre can build our capacity to connect, to create, and to critically engage with our world and ourselves.” —Katie Dawson
World-renowned voice teacher Kristin Linklater is one of the most recognized names in the field. Her two industry-leading textbooks, Freeing the Natural Voice: Imagery and Art in the Practice of Voice and Text and Freeing Shakespeare’s Voice: The Actor’s Guide to Talking the Text, have sold over 150,000 copies and been translated into six languages. In 1990, she founded her Company of Women dedicated to changing the harmonics of Shakespeare and strengthening the voices of girls. And in 2013, she established the Kristin Linklater Voice Centre, a year-round center for workshops in all aspects of voice training, in her native Scotland.
Throughout her career, Linklater has taught at renowned universities and theatres worldwide, trained over 150 teachers, and assisted many high profile clients in their vocal performance—among them Alan Rickman, Donald Sutherland, Sigourney Weaver, Bill Murray and Kim Cattrall. This convention is a great opportunity for young and old(er) to meet and exchange ideas about theatre, about the energies that create exciting performance and about the necessity for training. I hope to be able to contribute to the discussion, and I look forward to the stimulus of the SETC event. My masterclasses will offer a “taster” of how I work on the performer’s voice and how I approach Shakespeare’s text. —Kristin Linklater
Paata Tsikurishvili —Founder of Synetic Theater The Art of Silence and the Eloquent Body 2:30PM Thursday Keynote Thursday & Friday Masterclass Presenter (see page 6) “As the artistic director and founder of Synetic Theater—an American theatre company with roots in Eastern European physical theatre—I am thrilled to be invited to present a keynote at SETC and to share the methods that have made Synetic one of Backstage’s top ‘13 Innovative Physical Theatre Companies’ in the world. We’re excited to share what we think is the necessary evolution of theatre, as well as a way of producing drama that illuminates universal truths of human nature through image and physicality, transcending the spoken word. “I think there is a growing hunger in the community for new forms of theatre and for plays that raise our medium to another level. We greatly value actors who have a variety of skills and can truly use their body, breath and training
to transform into any character, shape, object, mood or environment. Because of this, we are excited to meet new artists who will be the next generation of great theatrical innovators. Synetic Theater strives to cultivate that next generation. “We are eager to engage with artists who explore conversations of the mind, mouth, heart, body and soul through dramatic narrative and who may share their skills and expertise—entering into a dialogue with us about what makes captivating theatre and how we tell stories that can be experienced only within the theatrical realm. We also hope to meet authors and devisers who explore the new possibilities of dramatic form and create plays that speak to the aesthetics, desires and passions of 21st century audiences.” —Paata Tsikurishvili
Design Keynote Speakers & Design Competition Respondents In addition to the over 66 workshops within the Design and Technical Field of Theatre, attendees meet extraordinary designers who offer their insights, share their wisdom and offer critiques to student designs. Sir Richard Pilbrow, Lighting Designer – One of the world’s leading theatre designers returns! Learn from this experienced artist and author. Stanley Meyer, Scenic Designer – From Broadway’s Beauty and the Beast to Shamu’s new show at SeaWorld, Stanley Meyer has over 60 regional and international credits to his name.
1175 Revolution Mill Dr., Studio 14 Greensboro, NC 27405 www.setc.org
SOUTHEASTERN THEATRE CONFERENCE
SETC Connects Talent to Theatres Nationwide SETC’s Annual Convention is one of the largest theatre employment job fairs in North America. Ninety national producing companies will be hiring production, technical and administrative applicants during the Job Fair (Job Contact) for summer, year-round and seasonal positions. Over 700 individuals with design, directorial, technical and administrative skills attend annually seeking professional positions, internships or apprenticeships in all areas of off-stage theatre. For details or to register, visit the SETC website at www.setc.org/theatre-job-fair.
Theatre Job Fair (Job Contact) Employers will meet and interview candidates for off-stage jobs. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday during Convention. Update Your Resume with Professionals Technical theatre resumes will be reviewed and critiqued by technical theatre professionals on Wednesday, March 4, from 7-8:30PM at the annual Job Contact/Production Resume Review. Constance Smith (Chippola Center for the Arts) presides. Showcase for Advanced Directors and Designers Pre-selected individuals with advanced training and skills will be introduced to company reps Thursday, March 5, at 10AM and have a chance to meet with potential employers. Over 3800 positions are open to job seekers and auditionees.