Thoughts from the President’s Desk Page 1
CorrectionPage 4 A Trip to the Top Page 3
The Time is Now Page 5
Consider Becoming a Volunteer Page 6
Job Listings & More Page 7
The Rich Past and Present of World Premieres in the Southeast Page 8
Mind the Gap Page 10
Get Involved!Page 11
Thomas Pinckney (he/him) Director of Advancement
thomas@setc.org
As autumn approaches, SETC is buzzing with activity and forward momentum One of our most important initiatives this season is the search for our next Executive Director. With the application process now closed, we are moving into the next phase: interviewing and vetting candidates. The hiring committee will begin first-round interviews in October, and we’re excited about the leadership possibilities ahead
In parallel, we’re making significant progress on our Governance Restructuring Project. Over the past few months, we’ve hosted several town hall meetings to introduce the proposed structure to SETC’s leadership and committees. These conversations have been vital in shaping a more transparent and effective organizational framework. Next, we’ll be reviewing SETC’s bylaws and rules to ensure alignment with nonprofit standards and best practices This step is crucial in creating a governance model that is both clear and compliant, setting the stage for a stronger future
The staff has also been working hard this fall. Arranging our fall auditions in September and the National Conference on Outdoor Theater, sponsored by Ludus, in October. The committee chairs have been vetting workshop proposals. We've been busy lining up keynote speakers, and we are working hard to make our March conference in
Opportunitiesin TheatreNationwide
SETC
5701 W. Gate City Blvd. Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407 336 265 6148 info@setc org
Jeremy Kisling (he/him) President MatthewLeckenbusch(he/him) VPofServices
Harry Culpepper (he/him) VP of Divisions
Carlton“cj”C BellII(they/them) InterimVPofOpportunity&Access
Ian Andersen (he/him) VP of States
Ginger Poole (she/her) Interim VP of Finance
Iris Goode-Middleton (she/her) VP of Administration
JeffGibson(he/him) ElectedPastPresident
CarolineJaneDavis(she/her) Secretary
ADVERTISE withus!
SETC offers several affordable ways to put your program in front of a broad audience
Emailus for more information
Send your news to Thomas Pinckney Director of Advancement
thomas@setc.org.
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Chattanooga one of the best conferences SETC has ever hosted. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS OPEN through Halloween; please take advantage of the great rates you can get by being one of the first people to register! Please take a moment to send a thank you to the Central Office staff and express your appreciation for all the hard work they do for the organization every day.
I would also like to personally thank Jack Benjamin for his leadership and guidance as our Interim Executive Director over the past year. This organization has been in great hands with Jack's leadership. Jack, along with the entire Central Office staff, has prepared our organization for its next leader Please take a moment to express your gratitude to Jack for his dedication and passion for this organization
Tupelo (MS) Community Theatre (TCT) fulfilled a long-held dream in June 2025 when its production of Tone Clusters by Joyce Carol Oates was honored as the Outstanding Overall Production at the American Association of Community Theatre AACTFest in Des Moines, Iowa. Director Jonathan Martin received the Outstanding Achievement in Direction award, and Jamie Fair was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award
How did a small theatre in a town with 40,000 residents do this? TCT has been involved in the festival process since 1993, using it as a learning tool to grow and improve The process may be costly, but the benefits, while not instantly monetary, are genuine and measurable
TCT was founded in 1969 as a traveling troupe, performing in schools and other found spaces. In 1984, they acquired an abandoned opera house that had been converted into a movie theater. Community support and generous donors helped them restore the historic Lyric building, fortuitously located on Broadway Street in downtown Tupelo. They offered a five-show season and a summer youth production for several years
In 1993, TCT decided to test the waters by taking one act from a regular season show to the Mississippi Theatre Association festival The Ponder Heart involved more than 20 actors and an elaborate unit set. Since TCT won no awards, the TCT Board decided to no longer participate in the state festival. However, many lessons were learned. Seeing the other productions and listening to the adjudications provided a valuable learning experience for the actors and the director from The Ponder Heart
ConnectingYouto Opportunitiesin TheatreNationwide
SETC
5701 W Gate City Blvd Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407 336 265 6148 info@setc org
Jack Benjamin (he/him) Executive Director
MaeganMcNerneyAzar(she/her) StaffBoardLiaison
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Production values and quality began to improve, and audiences took notice. In January 1996, the company took a leap of faith and entered a one act of “Shadowlands” in the state festival. Not only did it win a few awards, but a stunning set piece built by one of the show’s scenic designers was admired and rented by several theaters in the state
Nikki Baldwin (she/her) Digital Operations Specialist
Beth Watkins Brown (she/her) Producer and Director of SETC Festivals and Special Events
StevenH.Butler(he/him) SETCDirectorofConventionServices
MarciDuncan(she/her) DirectorofAuditions
AaliyahJordan(she/her) ResourceSpecialist
Sharell Luckett, PHD (she/her) Editor-in-Chief, Southern Theatre Magazine
Thomas Pinckney(he/him) Director of Advancement
RachelZwerver(she/her) Operations&CommunicationsCoordinator
SETC offers several affordable ways to put your program in front of a broad audience
Emailus for more information
Send your news to Thomas Pinckney Director of Advancement
thomas@setc.org.
Over the next 10 years, the TCT executive director and a few board members attended SETC to observe and learn. They watched the productions and carefully listened to the adjudicators' comments. They participated in workshops. TCT continued to be involved in the state festival and kept improving. The theatre’s patron base noticed and grew even more Following a significant rise in season ticket holders, Tupelo Community Theatre added a matinee performance to its season schedule, and many shows went on to have sold-out runs Marketing efforts included the phrase "the award-winning TCT "
In January 2007, TCT’s production of The Beauty Queen of Leenane won the state festival and advanced to SETC for the first time! It was quite an experience Although TCT only received a few minor awards, they gained much more peers at that festival came from all over the Southeast region, and the lessons learned were priceless.
After that, TCT continued participating in the state festival and advanced to SETC multiple times. Their patrons continued to be very supportive in fundraising, and corporate sponsors were also eager to help In 2015, TCT’s production of Lonestar won at SETC and moved on to national AACTFest A community theatre from a small southern rural town made it to a national stage That production was thrilled to receive the People's Choice award. Once again, it was a valuable learning experience.
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In 2013, TCT opened an "off-Broadway" black box theater in a storefront a few blocks from the Lyric. With 100 seats, they could now produce shows that weren't feasible in the mainstage season but were more intimate and drew additional actors, directors, and patrons.
For the state festival entry in January 2025, TCT decided to stage Tone Clusters, a lesser-known work by Joyce Carol Oates. More famous for her novels, Ms. Oates enthusiastically agreed to let director Jonathan Martin update the 1990 play to 2021 Tone Clusters featured a stellar threeperson cast and an excellent tech crew It won Best Production at the state festival in January 2025, Best Production at SETC in March 2025, and advanced to AACTFest in June.
TCT is thrilled to have represented the state and region so well by winning Outstanding Overall Production at AACTFest. This small community theatre has gained national acclaim for being THE BEST.
What's next? Continuing participation in the festival process. Learning. Improving. Growing.
Volunteering for the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) was more than giving back it transformed my connection to the theatre community and opened unexpected doors. After graduation, attending the convention on my own wasn’t financially feasible, but volunteering kept me engaged, learning, and growing professionally. I initially joined the Volunteer Team to attend and support an event I loved, but the experience ended up profoundly shaping my career and personal development
The SETC Volunteer Team is more than just showing up it’s a passionate, dedicated community Volunteers take on roles that align with their interests, from tech to customer service and more The true value lies in connections made with theatre professionals and fellow volunteers. These relationships open doors to mentorships, collaborations, and new opportunities. It is networking in action real conversations, genuine support, and shared passion. After volunteering, I had the privilege to join SETC’s Dream Team (Ops Team). Dream Teamers lead volunteers, assist with logistics, and troubleshoot on-site to ensure the convention runs seamlessly. The experience was intense but incredibly rewarding, a true investment in my future.
For students without school funding, volunteering with SETC is a chance to gain hands-on industry experience, attend workshops, and build valuable connections SETC shaped my career and personal growth, and I encourage every theatre student or early professional to seize this opportunity—not just to give back, but to invest in their future.
- Rachel Zwerver (she/her), SETC Operations and Communications Coordinator
In September of 2024, Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage in North Carolina and throughout the Southeastern Coast
What the Students, Families, Teachers of Watauga High School did with their fear, rage, loss, and hope led them to be named the 2025 SETC Outstanding Ensemble at the Secondary School Festival. Click the picture to see a documentary about their journey.
Visiting Professor of Dance
Randolph College, Lynchburg VA
Technical Director
Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine FL
Assistant Director/Associate Professor
Winthrop University, Rock Hill SC
Technical Director
Worhtham Center for the Performing Arts, Ashville NC
Take the next step in your career! Explore theses and many more available positions at the SETC Theatre Job Board.
To post a job listing, click here
Thanks to SETC’s Contributors Contributions made
Victoria Lourdes
Janice Vertucci Schreiber
Please consider making a monthly, annual, or even occasional contribution to SETC. It is tax-deductible and is the best way to ensure our organization's stability.
TomakeadonationtoSETC,clickhere
BRIDGING &
MARCH4-7,2026
ion has long been a place of ng new works. Professional theatres in Atlanta, Georgia; Actor’s Theatre tucky; Asolo Repertory Theatre in akers Repertory Company in Chapel any others, have been remarkable n theatre canon. In the last century, roduced for the first time at these n Lonely Street by Sandra Deer, Alfred Uhry's The Last Night of premiered at the Alliance Theatre y. Those are just two of eleven nsferred to Broadway New works t in the Southeast In 2022, Actor’s ed a new adaptation of Dracula titled Dracula: A Feminist Revenge same year, Asolo Repertory Theatre premiered the original musical nn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty. In 2024, PlayMakers Repertory holiday classic, The Christmas Case of Hezekiah Jones by Howard L. e list goes on
are a big undertaking and deserve recognition for their contributions to pecially true now, as the industry continues to recover from the COVIDnt political landscape. For theatre artists in the Southeast, it’s more what has happened, what’s possible, and what opportunities and e region. In this article, I explored two new world premieres currently in in the Road Productions in New Orleans, Louisiana, and another at the Bowling Green, Kentucky.
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Carlota, premiering March 2026 at Goat in the Road Productions in New Orleans, LA
Costume designer Suellen Coelho shared her excitement for the show Carlota, described as “a new play with music that weaves together the extraordinary life and legacy of Carlota Ruíz de González, a fictional character rooted in the rich tapestry of Cuban and New Orleans history ” She added, “I am super excited about the process As designers, we are invited to participate in workshops with the company, some days dedicated to thinking and talking about the show, as well as experimenting with possibilities as designers.”
The play will incorporate music directed by Dr. Denise Frazier and awardwinning powerhouse musician Yusa. When asked how she felt about working with Yusa, Coelho commented joyfully, “being able to work with [her] – I am a big fan ” Goat in the Road has conducted a series of work-in-process creation workshops of the show, lightly staging them throughout 2024, to develop and refine the new piece, preparing it for its first full production
The company describes Carlota as a journey through time, where 19th- and 20th-century stories intertwine with vibrant Afro-Cuban and Creole rhythms. The title character is painted as “a grandmother, a revolutionary, a healer, and a pain in the ass.” Her life story includes a dramatic list of exploits: “she stabbed a Spanish colonel (maybe), met the goddess Oya, survived a flood, crisscrossed Cuba, abandoned her son (no she didn’t), played the lotto, smoked too much, saved lives, survived enslavement and laughed when she wanted ”
Coelho also noted, “I’m also excited about the amount of resources the director and producer are sharing with me, such as travel research photos from Cuba and a podcast about the Cuban revolution ” The collaborative approach, she explained, is one that designers often long for, allowing them to create unique theatrical experiences that feel like magic once the lights go down and the story begins When asked what was most unique about the process, she emphasized “the respectful process, the time for development, and the genuine collaboration,” later adding, “I want people to understand that when we create space for collaboration, designers feel like they are truly part of the show and the process. It opens the door to a real sense of belonging.”
Carlota premieres March 5–14, 2026, in New Orleans (venue TBD). As the company notes: “Through soaring melodies and intimate storytelling, Carlota reveals how one woman ' s story can be passed down, creating ripples in our lives and whispering to us: (discover the past, imagine the future) ” For more information and tickets, visit www goatintheroadproductions org
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The Best Gift, premiering November 2025 at Ramsey Theatre Company in Bowling Green, KY
This November, Ramsey Theatre Company will premiere The Best Gift: A Christmas Carol Musical, written and composed by the award-winning duo Dick and Melodie Tunney. According to the theatre’s website, The Best Gift is “a fresh adaptation featuring original songs, heartfelt storytelling, and a vibrant take on the holiday classic.” The show was tested in July during a one-night staged reading for an invited audience, giving the creative team a chance to gather valuable feedback
Diane DiCroce, Producing Artistic Director of Ramsey Theatre and director of The Best Gift, shared insight into the new adaptation of the beloved Dickens tale: “The original music/score is written by Grammy and (multi) Dove awardwinning songwriting and producing team, Dick and Mel Tunney. Nashvillebased for over 40 years, this amazing team brings their incredible experience and expertise to Bowling Green to help us create this new tradition for Ramsey Theatre Company at the SKYPAC.”
The creative team’s goal was to bring Dickens’ classic to life as a musical with original songs, choreography, and adapted text, allowing the company to launch a new holiday tradition in Bowling Green The title song, The Best Gift of Christmas, conveys the heart of the message: love Bowling Green is a city already rich with annual events, such as the Bowling Green International Festival, Bourbon and Brewfest, and White Squirrel Film Festival. The company hopes this new musical will join that roster of beloved traditions.
When asked what she was most excited about, DiCroce replied, “Debuting a new original musical with a story that people love and being able to repeat it each year ” She also highlighted the opportunity to feature actors and artists from national, regional, and local circles, creating a space where they can learn from one another through rehearsal and performance
Beyond the stage, Ramsey Theatre Company has ambitious plans for the overall experience. “We will immerse our audience with a holiday experience from the moment they walk into our fully ‘decked-out’ and decorated lobby, [where they will] hear our carolers singing before the show to the end of the performance when it will actually snow over them in our concert hall (yes-it's a cool effect we can do here!).” The show is designed for families and runs November 21–22, 2025, at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center in downtown Bowling Green just an hour north of Nashville and an hour and a half south of Louisville As the theatre’s website proclaims: “Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of redemption, brought to life with dazzling performances, uplifting music, and a moving reminder that the best gift is the one that transforms a heart.” For tickets, call 270-904-1880 or visit www.theskypac.com.
In 1986, Zelda Fichlander wrote an article for American Theatre Magazine describing the journey of building a long-lasting theatre institution with her husband and her mentor by her side. In the article, she quotes Bertolt Brecht’s Caucasian Chalk Circle, telling the reader:
“Everything should belong to whoever is best for it ”
Within our organization, SETC President Jeremy Kisling, reminds us that we, the members, are SETC. I am proud to be a member, and I am excited to be an active part of this organization’s past, present, and future.
Paul Gabbard (he/him)
SETC Playwrighting Committee Chair
A year ago, I began a long journey as a PhD student and researcher in the field of arts administration. My research focuses on America’s regional theatres. PhD research requires you to identify areas of the field that have not received the attention they deserve or any attention at all. In academic research, this is often known as a gap analysis. When a friend asked me to become more involved with SETC, I used that same gap analysis to find where I could make my own contribution. I found that the best way for me to help SETC was to get involved with the long-range strategic planning of the organization, to amplify the voices of playwrights and those interested in new play development, and to contribute to the growth of our sponsorship and fundraising efforts As a member of SETC, recognizing gaps and working collaboratively with other members, staff, and board members to address them is one way to strengthen our organization.
My work as a fundraiser, artistic director, educator, and now researcher has always been inspired by the other leaders in the regional theatre field. Molly Smith, the long-time artistic director of Washington, D C ’s Arena Stage (1998 to 2023), began her career in her hometown of Juneau, Alaska, where she founded a small professional theatre called Perseverance Theatre that at the time was only accessible by plane or boat Their first artist in residence was Paula Vogel This partnership between Smith and Vogel continued throughout their careers
The title of Fichlander’s article, “Institution as Artwork,”(linked here), is a concept that rings true to me. Institutions are often perceived as complete buildings, established organizations, or centers with distinct beginnings and endings, and little room for artistic choices. In this article, Fichlander illustrates through her personal journey how institutions can also be a part of the process of creating artistic acts rich in imagination SETC is just that - a work of art in progress, with each of us as artistic collaborators
Please mark your calendars with the following dates and times for our upcoming meetings Jump in and get involved. We’d love to see you. All meetings (other than Personnel and Nominations or Executive Session), are open to the membership. Please email Maegan Azar at Maegan@SETC.org to receive the meeting links of your choosing.
WINTER EXCOM MEETINGS (virtual)
Monday, December 15 at 3:00-7:00 PM Eastern
Tuesday, December 16 at 9:00-1:00 PM Eastern
Wednesday, December 17 at 9:00-1:00 PM Eastern
Wednesday, December 17 at 2:00-6:00 PM Eastern
SPRING PRE-MEETINGS - all at 4:00-5:30 PM Eastern (virtual)
Thursday, February 12 - Services Council (Matt)
Friday, February 13 - Finance Council (Ginger)
Sunday, February 15 - Opportunity & Access Council (cj)
Monday, February 16 - Administration Council (Iris)
Tuesday, February 17 - Publications Committee (Iris)
Wednesday, February 18 - Strategic Planning Committee (Iris)
Thursday, February 19 - States Council (Ian)
Friday, February 20 - Scholarships, Awards, and Grants Meeting (Ginger)
Sunday, February 22 - Careers & Hiring (Auditions) Committee Meeting (Marci)
Tuesday, February 24 - Past Presidents Committee (Jeff)
Wednesday, February 25 - Divisions Council (Harry)
SPRING BOARD & BUSINESS MEETINGS
Saturday, February 28 at 10:00-1:00 PM Eastern - ExCom & Board Meeting (virtual)
Wednesday, March 4 at 3:30 PM Eastern - Board Reception with ED Meet & Greet (in-person in Chattanooga at Convention)
Saturday, March 7 at 4:00 PM Eastern - Annual Business Meeting (inperson in Chattanooga at Convention)
