JULY / AUGUST 2022
Bimonthly Newsletter of Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.
CONTENTS SETC Events Page 1
Professionals Pages 2 - 4
Community Theatre Page 5
Theatre for Youth Page 6
Secondary Schools Page 7
Colleges/Universities Page 8
Outdoor Theatre Page 9
Theatre Symposium/ SETC Convention Page 10
Central Office News/ ExCom Report Page 11
Calendar Pages 12
Columns Pages 13 - 15
ED Search Page 16
NEWS SUBMISSIONS Deanna Thompson, Editor (she/her) deanna@setc.org
Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.
www.setc.org
Don’t Miss SETC’s Upcoming Events VIRTUAL FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS August 2022, Video Auditions Registration: Open now See Page 2 for more information. To register: www.setc.org/fall-professional
VIRTUAL SCREENING AUDITIONS FOR SETC SPRING PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS September - December 2022, Video Auditions Registration: Sept. 1 - Nov. 8 See Page 4 for more information. Details: www.setc.org/setc-screenings
IN-PERSON NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE Oct. 19 - 21, 2022, Unto These Hills, Cherokee, NC Registration: Aug. 1 - Sept. 29 See Page 9 for story on conference. Details: www.outdoor-theatre.org/conference
VIRTUAL LiNK GRADUATE SCHOOL AUDITIONS/INTERVIEWS: Acting, Directing, Management, Design & Technology Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2022, Virtual Event Registration: Sept. 1 - Nov. 10 Details: www.setc.org/link More info: www.setc.org
FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS
GET YOUR
ON!
Fall Professional Auditions Will Be Virtual Again in 2022 SETC’s Fall Professional Auditions will be held virtually at the end of August. We continue to make changes to our processes and adapt to the current circumstances, so please carefully review all information below and at left. For more information or to register for Fall Auditions, click here.
All auditionees are asked to submit:
SETC Fall Professional Auditions Timeline June 20*
Registration opened for professional companies
4 Contact information.
June 27
Registration opened for auditionees
4 Two professional references – name, phone, e-mail.
Aug. 11, 11:59 p.m. ET
Registration ($40) for auditionees ends
Aug. 12 – 24
Audition screening
Aug. 26
Auditionees notified of Pass or No Pass (no refunds)
4 60-second audition video – acting only, singing only, or acting & singing. 4 Headshot & resume. Optional additional submissions: 4 Additional 60-second audition video – an opportunity to show more of your talent. 4 3-minute dance video.
Aug. 29
Audition galleries passed on to professional companies n “Screening” is a process where all videos are reviewed by members of the SETC Professional Division and deemed (or not) of suitable talent to be passed on to the professional companies who trust SETC to provide them with the best, streamlined talent offering. n Video auditions screened as Pass will be shared with the registered professional companies. n Keeping in line with all other SETC auditions, there will be no refunds for those who do not pass screening.
* Registration and audition galleries will be available to professional
companies indefinitely as the industry re-emerges and the need is meaningful.
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4 60-second movement video - showing you’re not a dancer, but can move.
View SETC video audition tips here.
More info: www.setc.org/fall-professional www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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PROFESSIONAL COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Hiring through SETC: Dollywood Theme Park ‘Dollywood has been involved with SETC since our founding in 1986. SETC assists Dollywood in creating connections with artists that are a good fit for our company, as well as connecting us with other theatres in the region who have worked with prospective employees that can meet our needs.’
- Hannah Muse, Entertainment Supervisor
SETC recently caught up with Hannah Muse (she/her), entertainment supervisor at Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN. Below are excerpts from the interview. Performers entertain the audience in Hydro Jive Junction, one of the shows in the current season at Dollywood.
Tell us a little about your theatre. Dollywood’s mission is “Creating Memories Worth Repeating,” and we are known for producing all types of shows – bluegrass, country, a cappella, pop/rock, ’50s - ’60s review shows and more.
What type of theatre/stage do you have? We have five indoor theatres with 500 - 1,700 seats each and seven outdoor stages with 150 - 500 seats each, along with other pop-up stages throughout the park.
Is your theme park open now for live, in-person shows? Dollywood was scheduled to open mid-March in 2020, but did not amidst the pandemic. We reopened our doors on June 17, 2020, with only outdoor shows in a socially distanced manner. We are now producing a full season of shows in both indoor and outdoor venues. Our current line-up includes Dreamland Drive-In, Forever Country, The Tones, Harmonies of the Heart, Good Vibes, The Wild Roots, Smoky Mountain String Band, Hydro Jive Junction and Sweet Summer Nights Dance Party.
Where do you find your actors and crew? Are they all paid professionals? All of our positions are for paid professionals, which we find through local auditions and attending theatre conferences like SETC, along with online submissions.
Do you plan to attend SETC Fall Professional Auditions? If so, what types of positions do you expect to hire for? Yes. We are always looking for new talent in all areas: singers, dancers, streetmosphere actors and character performers, as well as a beatboxer.
What’s an example of how SETC’s auditions have been helpful to you? Sometimes we have last-minute spring or Christmas needs that must be filled as soon as possible, and we have had great luck in the past at finding just what we need at SETC Professional Auditions. One year, we found a performer to play George Bailey, the main character in our show It’s a Wonderful Life, at the Fall Professional Auditions.
More info: dollywood.com www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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PROFESSIONAL THEATRE NEWS
Top Three Tips for a Dance Reel If you are pursuing dance as your career or want to audition for a show that requires you to learn and perform light choreography, then a dance reel should be an essential part of your marketing materials. It can be used to supplement an audition and, in some cases, as the audition. Erika Ureña M EM B ER , PR O FESSION A L TH E AT R E D IV ISIO N ( she/ he r )
In my eight years as a casting director for a major cruise line and now for Disney Live Entertainment, I’ve seen my fair share of dance reels. These top three tips are essential when thinking about putting together your reel.
Short and sweet is best Between the hundreds of emails and video submissions casting directors get daily, having the time to sit and watch a 5- or 10-minute video isn’t realistic. A 1- to 2-minute video is the perfect length.
Let us see your versatility Nothing is more impressive than a versatile performer. Find a dance studio or a space large enough for you to move freely, performing different dance styles. Musical theatre, jazz, ballet, tap and even commercial hip-hop are great styles to incorporate into your reel.
Showcase your best self Think of your reel as a visual resume. You want to look presentable and ensure you are easily spotted in the clips. Solo performances or those where you are the video’s primary focus are best. If you don’t have any solo clips, that’s okay! Find an editing program that allows you to highlight where you are in the group. Most importantly, let your personality shine through in your clips.
SETC Screening Auditions Will Be Virtual This Fall Here is an early glimpse of the schedule for the 2022 SETC Screening Auditions. These preliminary auditions, which will be held virtually, are for actors who wish to participate in the Spring Professional Auditions at the annual SETC Convention in March 2023. Screening Audition Registration Opens: Screening Audition Registration Closes: Submissions Adjudicated: Candidates Notified of Pass or No Pass: Early Deadline, Convention Registration:
Sept. 1, 2022 Nov. 8, 2022 Nov. 14 - Dec. 4, 2022 Dec. 9, 2022 Jan. 12, 2023
More info: www.setc.org/setc-screenings
More info: www.setc.org/setc-screenings www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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COMMUNITY THEATRE NEWS
Community Theatre Is Back! Community Theatre Is Thriving! Lynn Nelson CHAI R, C OM M U N ITY TH E AT R E D IV ISIO N ( she/ he r )
We know how badly all arts organizations were affected by COVID – and community theatre was no exception. During this time most of us struggled to survive. Some didn’t survive, and some are still struggling. But by and large, like our professional friends on Broadway, community theatre has adapted and come back stronger. This was so very evident the last week of June in Venice, FL, at AACT WorldFest. Venice Theatre hosted more than 5,000 attendees, who were treated to productions from all over the world. Twelve countries shared 15 performances. Most were in their native language, truly proving that theatre is universal and doesn’t need translation. The U.S. had two entries. Lexington Players (Massachusetts) presented The Mountaintop, a riveting reimagination of Dr. Martin Luther King’s last night in the Lorraine Motel. Venice Theatre (Florida) gave us much to ponder about sexual abuse with their production of Blackbird. Other countries presented the following: Armenia – The Wolf and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night; Bangladesh – Tapaswi-O-Trangini; Brazil The cast and crew of Lexington Players’ The – Circo Poeira; Central African Republic Mountaintop are shown after the show’s performance – Les Anciens Combattants; France – Life at AACT WorldFest in late June 2022. Photo by Dreams of Us; Germany – The Movie Teller; Michelle Aguillo Italy – The Fabulous Journey and Clan MacBeth; Poland – Symbiosis; Switzerland – Passion; United Kingdom – A Man of No Importance; Ukraine – Stolen Happiness (presented virtually). WorldFest is a true feast for any theatre lover, and the 2022 festival was no exception. There were two magical moments (among many) that will live in my heart for a long time. The first occurred during the opening ceremony. We “Zoomed” with actors from Ukraine’s Splash Theatre who were scattered across Europe because of the war. They received an extended standing ovation, and there wasn’t a dry eye on either side of the ocean. The second happened at one of the afterglow parties. The Bangladeshi cast provided culinary treats from their homeland and taught us native dance moves. As their director so wisely said, “If everyone would hold hands and dance, the world could be a much better place.” Please make plans to attend WorldFest in 2024. It will educate you, it will entertain you, it will change you. And, yes, community theatre continues to thrive all over the world. More info: aact.org/aactworldfest
www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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THEATRE FOR YOUTH NEWS
Giving Voice to the Voiceless As arts educators, we all understand the struggle to share with the world the importance of the arts in the lives of our young people. In a society filled with change, the need to increase the empathetic power of our children is more important than ever. Octavia Biggs CH AI R, T HEAT R E FO R Y O U T H D IV ISION ( she/ he r )
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN WAYS YOU CAN BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR THE VOICELESS: National Art Education Association’s Advocacy Toolkit Kennedy Center’s Very Special Arts
Using the transformative power of the arts not only is impactful but also will create a greater social tolerance among our new generation. We live in a world that celebrates diversity. However, we are not being completely inclusive with educating the whole child. How do we build selfconfidence and create brave, safe spaces for all humans to find their voice? I challenge myself every year to think about the students that may be left behind or have not been given the opportunity to have their voices heard. After working with The Kennedy Center’s Very Special Arts (VSA) program, I have developed lesson plans and workshops that encourage inclusive arts programming and ultimately give voice to the voiceless while exposing everyone involved to a nontraditional performance art piece. At right, children participate in one of these programs: the Very Special Arts Program offered in Boone, KY, through the Lexington Children’s Theatre’s Shooting Stars Youtheatre Very Special Arts Program. The process of developing these lesson plans has reminded me of the importance of nurturing relationships and finding patience while encouraging positive academic, social and emotional outcomes.
Children participate in the Lexington Children’s Theatre’s Shooting Stars Youtheatre Very Special Arts Program in Boone County, KY, in summer 2022.
“Art for art’s sake” and “what gets measured is done” are not acceptable ways of thinking. Above at left are links to the National Art Education Association’s advocacy toolkit and the Kennedy Center’s VSA website for you to learn more about how to become a stronger advocate for the voiceless. We need to work harder to find positive ways of producing our next generation of citizens and leaders that have an empathetic understanding of what it means to live in a diverse society in an everchanging culture. More info: see links above left www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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SECONDARY SCHOOL THEATRE NEWS
Incorporate SEL into Your Lesson Plans Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has become a trending topic in education. Theatre teachers know our classrooms depend on students feeling safe, being able to communicate with each other and having the ability to access emotion in their work through creating the art that we love. Harry Culpepper Jr. CH AI R , SEC ON D A RY SCH O O L T HEAT R E D IV ISIO N ( he/ hi m )
CLICK BELOW TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SEL RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) EdTA’s SEL Lesson Plan Library
What exactly is SEL? This concept has many forms and approaches. The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines SEL as: “the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” As theatre educators, we know how important all of those skills are. How, as an educator, can you successfully integrate these concepts into everyday lesson plans? Sometimes just starting with simple steps can make a world of difference.
Steps I have taken During the past two years of teaching through a pandemic, I focused on two things: u Establishing an environment Since the pandemic began, I have spent a lot of time creating an environment in the classroom that students call “a vibe.” While it may sound basic, it is amazing the power that a few throw rugs, consignment furniture, hanging lights, lamps and LED lights can have. u Building community As educators, we feel the pressure of meeting standards. However, one thing I was reminded of over the course of the past two years was that it is okay to spend more time investing in community-building theatre games, establishing communication protocols and ensuring time for reflection for the students. This foundational work truly creates a classroom that allows students to grow not only as theatre artists, but also as humans.
Let’s create an SEL Discussion and Sharing Forum If you are interested in participating in an SEL Discussion and Sharing Forum, please contact me at hculpepperjr@gmail.com. I hope we can create a space to provide support for theatre teachers who feel led to incorporate SEL work into their classrooms. While we already do much of this work, I have seen how intentionally incorporating SEL has made connections with students more meaningful.
More info: see links above at left www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY THEATRE NEWS
‘We were safer separated, but love left us no choice.’ This summer I witnessed Joaquina Kalukanga’s Tony Award-winning performance of the penultimate number in Paradise Square from the second row of the Barrymore Theatre.
Bill J. Adams C HAIR, CO L L EG E A N D UNIVE R SIT Y T HEAT R E D IV ISIO N ( he/ hi m )
In the show, the song “Let It Burn” is a primordial scream from Joaquina’s character Nelly O’Brien, giving voice to the frustration of the oppressed. These lyrics, written by Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare, lifted the audience, of course, to standing at the song’s end. More importantly, we were instantly connected with the meaning of the words and the power of the performance. These past couple of years, safety protocols required us to devise all kinds of methods to stay separate and safe while directing, producing and teaching. My technical director at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Dan Gelbmann, created safe sound pods, affectionately called COVID Cubes, so we could film our singers without masks in our One of the ways that Nova Southeastern University innovated during the pandemic was to create safe sound pods, or COVID Cubes, so singers could spring 2021 Musical be filmed without masks. Theatre Project. We innovated to keep the training happening and we continued to make theatre for our audiences – love left us no choice.
‘Look at what we have created. We gave ourselves a voice.’ Not unlike the characters in Paradise Square, SETC celebrates our differences, and it depends on its members and leadership to create connections. As chair of the College and University Theatre Division, I hope you will share issues you may be facing, concerns you may have, or topics you think SETC should be addressing in relation to the operation of your college theatre program. Feel free to send me an email at the address below – I’d love to hear your voice.
Info to share? Email me at wadams@nova.edu www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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OUTDOOR THEATRE
Join Us in Person for the 59th National Conference on Outdoor Theatre The 2022 National Conference on Outdoor Theatre will be held in person Oct. 19 – 21 at Unto These Hills, located in Cherokee, NC. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE OCT. 19 – 21, 2022
Registration opens: Aug. 1 Registration closes: Sept. 29
Join the national outdoor theatre community for two days of live presentations with Q&A opportunities, rich conversations, practical solutions for relevant challenges, and outdoor performances, including a visit to the Montford Park Players in Asheville, NC.
OPEN TO ALL THEATRE LEADERS Programming for the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre is designed for all theatre leaders that are interested in exploration, innovation and transformation. Presentations will cover topics in Design/Technology, Board Development, Artistic Vision, Marketing/ Revenue and more.
MORE INFORMATION Registration opens Aug. 1 and closes Sept. 29. For more information on registration, meals, hotels and programming, check back here.
The 2022 National Conference on Outdoor Theatre will be held at the outdoor drama Unto These Hills in Cherokee, NC. The drama, which recounts the story of the Cherokee in the Eastern region, was first performed in 1950.
SUMMER AND OUTDOOR THEATRE AUDITIONS
In Person, Jan. 14 - 15, 2023 Location: Greensboro, NC Venue: TBA SETC Outdoor Theatre will host in-person auditions for summer and outdoor theatres looking to cast acting, singing, dancing and stage combat positions. Interviews are also available for technical positions and internship opportunities. Registration Opens: Dec. 1, 2022 at Noon ET Registration Closes: Dec. 29, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET (or when all slots are filled) For more information, visit outdoor-theatre.org/auditions
More info: outdoor-theatre.org/conference www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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THEATRE SYMPOSIUM
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2022-2024 Editor Named for SETC’s Theatre Symposium
Click here for more information on Theatre Symposium.
Keith Byron Kirk (left), an assistant professor of theatre and director of graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, has been named as the next editor of SETC’s scholarly publication, Theatre Symposium: A Journal of the Southeastern Theatre Conference. In that role, Kirk will complete a two-year cycle of the journal, during which he will plan two Theatre Symposium events (the 2023 and 2024 events) and two publications, working with the Editorial Board and the University of Alabama Press. Kirk earned an undergraduate degree from the State University of New York, a master’s degree in theatre, performance studies and playwriting from New York University, and a doctorate in theatre from Northwestern University. A 30-year veteran of the theatre industry, Kirk has worked extensively as an actor, including roles on Broadway as Frederick Douglass in The Civil War and John in Miss Saigon. In addition, he is a playwright, whose works include Ft. Lonesome, Urban Trilogy, As Reaper in Summer Grain (developed at the Eugene O’Neill Conference), Knees of a Natural Man and a number of one-act plays.
2023 SETC Convention Applications Opening for: 4
Workshop Proposals: click here to apply Interested in presenting on the greatest developments in theatre at our 2023 convention? The workshop application opened July 18 and closes Sept. 1, 2022.
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Fringe Festivals: click here to apply The Fringe Festival at the annual SETC Convention welcomes a variety of performances, including one-person shows and experimental theatre. The Fringe Festival application opened July 18 and closes Sept. 29, 2022.
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Theatre for Youth Festivals: click here for more information The TFY Invitational Festival is a noncompetitive exhibition of theatre produced for or by young audiences during the SETC Convention. The Theatre for Youth application opens Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 1, 2022. More info: convention.setc.org
www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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CENTRAL OFFICE NEWS
Meet Veronica Neblett, the New Bookkeeper at SETC
ExCom Report by Maegan McNerney Azar SETC President
In a meeting on June 6 - 7, 2022, the SETC Executive Committee: • Made an adjustment to the end of the SETC Land Acknowledgment to read “where you are located,” instead of “where your institution sits.” • A rule associated with the Horth Arts Administration Grant was deleted because all grants are handled through the Central Office. • The 2024 SETC Convention dates and location were set: March 12 - 17 in Mobile, AL. • A revision to the fiscal year 2023 budget was approved to accommodate the Executive Director search. Check back for full minutes at www.setc.org/leadership/ minutes-archives
SETC is pleased to welcome Veronica Neblett as our bookkeeper. In that position, she is responsible for overseeing SETC’s accounts receivable and accounts payable. Veronica joined SETC’s team in April 2022. “I am enjoying my work with the Central Office staff and look forward to incorporating best practices and using my accounting knowledge and expertise to further the mission and vision of the organization,” Veronica says.
Many years of experience Veronica has been an accountant for over 25 years, working in such areas as Financial, Cost, Controller, Accounts Receivable, Budgeting, Accounts Payable, Auditing and Taxes “I love numbers,” she says. She holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from York College CUNY and recently earned a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
Inspired to serve An active member and ordained elder at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Greensboro, NC, Veronica has a passion to serve and has volunteered in prisons for over 30 years mentoring, teaching and preaching. She is a published author of two books of inspirational writings, Expressions from My Heart and Expressions from My Heart Continued.
Favorite activities A native of Brooklyn, NY, Veronica now resides in Gibsonville, NC. She is a mother of two and also has two grandchildren. In her spare time, she enjoys crocheting, traveling, writing and going to plays, musicals and jazz or blues concerts.
More info: www.setc.org/central-office-staff www.setc.org
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CALENDAR
2022-2023 SETC Calendar FALL EVENTS
SPRING EVENTS
VIRTUAL AUGUST EXCOM, BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS * July 30 - Aug. 11, 2022 (to be scheduled by officers and chairs)
VIRTUAL FALL BOARD MEETING * Aug. 13, 2022, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET * All meetings (except Nominations Committee) are open to members. Email bradley@setc.org for schedule and Zoom links.
VIRTUAL FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS August 2022 Candidate and Company Registration: Open Now Candidate Registration Deadline: Aug. 11 Professional Company Registration Deadline: None Auditions Screened: Aug. 12 - 24 Auditionees Notified, Pass or No Pass: Aug. 26 Auditionee Galleries Sent to Companies: Aug. 29
IN-PERSON NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE Oct. 19 - 21, 2022, Unto These Hills, Cherokee, NC Registration: Aug. 1 - Sept. 29
VIRTUAL SCREENING AUDITIONS FOR SETC SPRING PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS September - December 2022 Registration: Sept. 1 - Nov. 8 Submissions Screened: Nov. 14 - Dec. 4 Candidates Notified, Pass or No Pass: Dec. 9 Convention Registration Early Deadline/Candidates: Jan. 12
VIRTUAL LiNK: YOUR CONNECTION TO ADVANCED THEATRE DEGREES Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2022 Recruiter and Student Registration: Sept. 1 - Nov. 10 Submissions Sent to Recruiters: Nov. 17
WINTER EVENTS
REGISTRATION Convention Registration: Opens Oct. 13 Early-Bird Convention Registration Deadline: Dec. 15 Regular Registration Deadline with Add-ons: Jan. 26 Convention Refund Deadline: Jan. 26 Regular Registration Deadline without Add-ons: Feb. 16 (can register on-site beyond this date) Registration Pause: Feb. 17 - March 1 (for internal purposes)
WORKSHOPS Workshop Proposal Applications: Open Now - Sept. 1 Presenters Notified (Accept or Decline): by Nov. 1 Presenter Registration Deadline: Dec. 15 FESTIVALS Fringe Festival Applications: Open Now - Sept. 29 Theatre for Youth Festival Applications: Sept. 1 - Nov. 1 Ten-Minute Play Festival Applications: Oct. 13 - Jan. 26 PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS Convention Registration Deadline for Auditionees Who Passed Screenings: Jan. 12 Hiring Company Registration for Professional Auditions:
Oct. 13 - Jan. 12 (SETC will assist on case-by-case basis after Jan. 12)
THEATRE JOB FAIR Candidate Registration for Theatre Job Fair: Oct. 13 - End of Convention
Hiring Company Registration for Theatre Job Fair:
Oct. 13 - Jan. 12 (SETC will assist on case-by-case basis after Jan. 12)
UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE SCHOOL AUDITIONS & INTERVIEWS Recruiter and Student Registration: Oct. 13 - Jan. 26 (SETC will assist on case-by-case basis after Jan. 26)
OTHER EVENTS Design Competition Registration: Oct. 13 - Jan. 26 Teachers Institute Registration: Oct. 13 - Jan. 26 Commercial & Educational Exhibitor Early-Bird Registration: Oct. 13 - Dec. 15; Regular Registration: Dec. 16 - Jan. 19
THEATRE SYMPOSIUM 2023 Date and Location TBA
EXCOM MEETING January 2023, Date and Location TBA IN-PERSON SUMMER & OUTDOOR THEATRE AUDITIONS Jan. 13 - 14, 2023, Greensboro, NC Recruiter and Candidate Registration: Dec. 1 - 29, 2022 (or until all slots are filled)
74TH ANNUAL SETC CONVENTION March 1 - 5, 2023, Lexington, KY
EXCOM MEETING Spring 2023, Date and Location TBA NOTE: All registrations open at Noon ET and close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the dates indicated. All registrations will close Feb. 17 - March 1 for SETC internal purposes and organization.
More info: www.setc.org www.setc.org
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PERSPECTIVES
Tithonia: A Lesbian Space Opera Connects with Audiences LEA GILBERT (she/ her )
Lea Gilbert is a cofounder of Skysail Theatre and the director and production manager for Tithonia: A Lesbian Space Opera. She also serves as SETC’s membership services manager.
“Perspectives” is an SETC News column where guest contributors are invited to share their diverse voices.
From the minds at Skysail Theatre in Asheville, NC, comes Tithonia: A Lesbian Space Opera, a new musical that takes audiences across the galaxy aboard the Starship Tithonia. The protagonists’ survival skills and budding romance are put to the ultimate test by an Artificial Intelligence (AI) interface gone rogue.
Left to right): Michelle Troszak portrays N.A.N.C.I. (Noetic Artificial Nano Computer Intelligence), Rebecca Boyce is Captain Jacque and Shannon McKerlie plays Engineer Aria in Tithonia: A Lesbian Space Opera.
The entirely LGBTQ+ team at Skysail Theatre was blown away by audience response after Tithonia’s sold-out debut at the 2022 Asheville Fringe Arts Festival. News of its run spread quickly. “The epitome of queer joy, laughter and camaraderie,” proclaimed one audience member. “The show encapsulated what it means to be someone navigating a complex world.” While any media that presents LGBTQ+ stories in a healthy way is to be applauded, Tithonia takes a different approach to celebrating representation by normalizing it. “We didn’t set out to create a queer story,” wrote playwright Terran Wanderer. “We set out to tell a good story in a queer space.” Actress Rebecca Boyce shared what it was like to play a lesbian lead who also happened to be plus size: “[Skysail] didn’t question my ‘type’ when it came to playing a romantic lead. I think within the space that queerness curates is a kinder, more open space that acknowledges people are all attracted to different people.” Being a part of this process affected her self-image and confidence, Boyce said, as she was “allowed to love and be loved.” Michelle Troszak, Wanderer and I formed Skysail Theatre in 2021 with the intention of creating the media we wanted to see. Troszak, Tithonia’s composer, noted: “While queer voices are becoming more prominent, a lot of the representation we see is still centered around cisgendered gay men. To have a show which centers queer women in a lesbian relationship and an entirely femme presenting cast was a purposeful choice, and something that is still uncommon, especially in the science fiction genre.” The musical connects the audience through the easiest of emotions – laughter. The story unfolds with a comedy-of-errors plot full of romantic comedy tropes. Any audience member, LGBTQ+ or not, can find the show relatable and accessible through its humor. By creating authentic representation through its normalization of queer characters and its focus on human connection, we believe Tithonia: A Lesbian Space Opera is trailblazing a path to a brighter future in theatre.
More info: click here www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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MEMBER COMMUNICATION
Maegan McNerney Azar PR ESID ENT (she/ her )
As we continue the work of putting together the next strategic plan for SETC, we keep hearing one word over and over again: Transparency. Even our best efforts towards communicating openly and honestly with our membership have fallen short in the past, so I understand this request. Improving communication was a big element of the 2020 Strategic Plan, and we have made a lot of strides in big ways. But I think it is the small touches that can continue to get better with each decision, invitation, and discussion. Transparency also requires trust. I think we often worry that celebrating the successes will make us look self-congratulatory. Or that being honest about our failures will make us look weak. But the truth is that fear is at the root: fear that we’ll lose your trust, fear that we’ve misstepped, fear that a success might mean a loss somewhere else that we didn’t see coming. So, I guess there’s an ask of you, too. If, as an organization, we trust you with more transparency, can you also agree to trust us in return? The Executive Committee and Central Office work exceptionally hard to be sure that we’re making decisions that are focused on our organizational mission, vision, and values. And sometimes that means that someone doesn’t get what they want. Sometimes that means that things change. But the decisions are intentional, authentic, and come from listening – and they certainly don’t come easily, especially lately. So, is more transparency what you want? We’re making a commitment to do just that – transparent transformation together. In our decision-making, in our budgeting, in our work toward better belonging. For the betterment of our organization and our community.
More info: www.setc.org/about www.setc.org
July / August 2022
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DISABILITY INCLUSION
The Value of Interest Group Meetings
Susie Prueter EX E CUTIV E D IR EC T O R (she/ her )
The most insightful moments for me at the 2022 SETC Convention in Memphis were the Interest Group Meetings – e.g., Black Theatre, Disability Inclusion and more. These were not committee meetings, but meetings to bring together like-experienced constituents to hear from them and give them an opportunity to connect. These meetings were very well-attended (thank you, ALL!) and made for notable conversation and action. SETC hears you! In particular, the Disability Inclusion Interest Group meeting was incredibly helpful for understanding the challenges of those who are disabled theatre-makers, makers of accessible theatre, and those who wish to learn more about ways to make theatre that is more accessible to all audience members. While SETC had some success in offering a “hybrid” convention, we have a long way to go. Some of the needed advances that were suggested by the Disability Inclusion Interest Group are noted below. This is just a sample list. There is much more that we heard and will put into the action in the years to come, but these feel like the priorities: u Make a better effort to reach out to and invite disabled theatre-makers to participate in the SETC Convention. In addition, we need to connect with professional companies to encourage their advocacy and understanding/support in hiring. u Hire an accessibility consultant that can suggest better support for disabled constituents at our convention sites, but also can be a point of transparency and contact for constituents, assisting them with individual needs. u Provide better communication – for example, through accessibility offerings, signage, maps, step counts, specific app pages and linking attendees with the accessibility coordinator. u Ensure access for constituents. While we might trust convention facilities to be ADA-compliant and count on their support equipment, it’s not always ideal and can create more exclusivity than inclusivity. Stage lifts for disabled constituents participating in auditions are an example of this. We will be taking a closer look. u Offer more workshops led by presenters with disabilities and perhaps plan a day of disability awareness during convention. Disabilities are not always readily identifiable, and it was meaningful to hear from the group about their experiences and challenges. It was both enlightening and a privilege to sit in on this meeting. Thank you to all those who participated and to Johannah Maynard Edwards and Rowen Haigh for their moderation and reporting!
More info: www.setc.org www.setc.org
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH
Connecting You to Opportunities in Theatre Nationwide
Central Office SETC 5710 W. Gate City Blvd. Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro NC 27407 336-265-6148 info@setc.org Susie Prueter (she/her) susie@setc.org Executive Director Lee Crouse (he/him) lee@setc.org Educational Services/Sponsorships Clay Thornton (he/him) clay@setc.org Marketing/Advertising Bradley Branham (he/him) bradley@setc.org Programming Elizabeth Theodora (she/her) elizabeth@setc.org Professional Services Lea Gilbert (she/her) louise@setc.org Membership Services Noah Taylor (he/him) noah@setc.org Graphics and Digital Media Shameca Freeman (she/her) shameca@setc.org Development Veronica Neblett (she/her) veronica@setc.org Accounts Receivable/Payable Debi Belanger (she/her) debi@setc.org Data Assistant
Executive Committee Maegan McNerney Azar (she/her) President Kris Rau McIntyre (she/her) VP of Administration
The search for a new executive director for SETC is underway following notice of resignation by Susie Prueter earlier this year. Prueter has indicated her willingness to “stay as long as it takes” to successfully search for and transition to a new executive director, and SETC’s Executive Committee hopes to have the transition completed by the end of the year. Led by Past President Jeff Gibson, the search committee is populated by a diverse group of SETC members and staff, including Marci Duncan, Jonathan Michaelsen, Amanda Nelson, Katie Proctor, Noah Taylor and Elizabeth Watkins. The committee has completed initial organizing efforts and has begun screening of candidates. The position has been promoted through various media and online outlets. The Position Announcement and Job Profile are available for an in-depth look at the executive director’s responsibilities. Questions about the position or the search may be directed to edsearch@setc.org. Once initial screenings and interviews have been completed, the committee expects to identify top prospects for the Executive Committee to consider as it moves toward its goal of filling the position later this year.
Neno Russell (he/him) VP of Services Annette Grevious (she/her) VP of Finance Adanma Onyedike Barton (she/her) VP of Equity & Inclusion Ginger Poole (she/her) Secretary Tiza Garland (she/her) Elected Past President Jeremy Kisling (he/him) VP of States Lynn Nelson (she/her) VP of Divisions
Thanks to SETC’s Contributors We send our thanks to the following individuals and organizations for contributions made to SETC from April 1, 2022, through June 29, 2022: Ezra Ali-Dow J. Theresa Bush* Caesar’s Ford Theatre, Inc.
Mark Dukes D.W. Gregory Chad McDonald*
Lessac Training and Research Institute Mia Self*
* Denotes monthly contributor To make a donation to SETC, click here.
Send your news to deanna@setc.org www.setc.org
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