Community Theatre Festival Award Announcements Page 11
Best of the Fringe Page 13
Design Tech Award Announcements Page 14
Thoughts from the President’s Desk
I must quote my good friend Lily from Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse: “Wow, wowie, wow, wow ” Baltimore was an excellent conference for us to unite as a theatre community and share our talents and gifts! It was a special time to see all the festival shows at the Secondary, Community Theatre, Fringe, Short Plays, and Theatre for Youth Festivals - great work across the board. Not to mention the energy of the auditionees and companies looking to fill the stage with talent and high-quality theatre. I learned so much in the workshops and had some great conversations about this art form we love.
Jeremy Kisling (he/him) President
Thomas Pinckney (he/him)
Marketing & Communication Manager
thomas@setc org
We can’t put on a conference without our amazing sponsors! We truly appreciate everything you do to make this conference a vibrant space I don’t know about you, but I keep being pulled back into the Exhibit Hall area to see the live action at the Job Fair or the fantastic talent and skill displayed in the Design Competition. But it is the vendors who support our work, and I found myself in conversation after conversation about lighting, ticketing, and plays. A special thank you goes to those universities that were at SETC recruit. I found myself exhausted at the end of each day but eager to get up and network, learn, and grow every day of the conference. I am thankful we spent time together in Baltimore, and I hope you came back with new ideas and a renewed sense of purpose!
Jeremy Kisling (he/him) President
ConnectingYouto Opportunitiesin TheatreNationwide
CentralOffice
SETC
5701 W. Gate City Blvd. Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407
336 265 6148 info@setc org
Central Office Team
Jack Benjamin (he/him) Executive Director
Beth Watkins Brown (she/her) Assistant Director
MaeganMcNerneyAzar(she/her) StaffBoardLiaison
VeronicaNeblett(she/her) Accounting/HRGeneralist
AaliyahJordan(she/her) ResourceSpecialist
StevenH Butler(he/him) ConventionManager
Nikki Baldwin (she/her) Support Staff Specialist & Asst to Editor-in-Chief
MarciDuncan(she/her) AuditionCoordinator
Thomas Pinckney(he/him) Communications & Marketing Manager
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, Marketing & Communication Manager thomas@setc.org.
Outdoor Theatre Springs to Life
By Lance Culpepper
Spring has sprung and summer is fast approaching. That means it is time to get outdoors…and continue to present and enjoy great performances! Our friends and colleagues in outdoor theatre are preparing to open their 2025 seasons and we wish them fair weather and great attendance the coming season.
Once the weather begins to turn cool and seasons draw to a close, it will be time to reflect on the summer and strategize for the future
This year the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre will celebrate its 62nd Anniversary this October 8 – 11, hosted by The Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown, KY, with additional programming in Louisville, KY provided by the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
The NCOT is the perfect forum for theatre management and artists to exchange ideas and recharge after their summer seasons This conference has it all;
sessions on relevant challenges such as weather protocols and audience development, venue tours, and opportunities for open discussions about the industry
We encourage any organization that produces performances outdoors to join us for this unique opportunity to network and share ideas and lessons learned
Stay tuned as we drop exciting announcements regarding session topics, site visits, and performances Contact us at OutdoorTheatre@setc org for additional information about the National Conference on Outdoor Theatre, Summer Outdoor Theatre Auditions, and our monthly virtual meetings.
Iris Goode-Middleton (she/her) VP of Administration
JeffGibson(he/him) ElectedPastPresident
Caroline-JaneDavis(she/her) Secretary
ADVERTISE withus!
SETC offers several affordable ways to put your program in front of a board audience.
Emailus for more information
Send your news to Thomas Pinckney, Marketing & Communication Manager
thomas@setc.org.
Success Stories from SETC: Celebrating Achievements & Looking Ahead to 2026
By Tiffany Gilly-Forrer
The Southeastern Theatre Conference’s (SETC) 2025 annual convention has just concluded, leaving attendees buzzing with new connections, fresh insights, and inspiring success stories For decades, SETC has been a hub for theatre artists of all backgrounds, offering opportunities for education, networking, and career growth. As we look back on this year’s conference in Baltimore, MD, it’s clear that the impact of SETC extends far beyond the few days of workshops, auditions, and panels it’s a springboard for lifelong professional and artistic development. Now is the perfect time to celebrate your own experiences, share your successes as they continue to yield results, and begin planning for the 2026 conference.
Sharing Your SETC Success Story
Every year, countless attendees leave SETC with stories of personal growth, professional breakthroughs, and meaningful connections. Sharing your success story not only celebrates your achievements but also inspires others in the theatre community. Whether you landed a dream job, built relationships with industry professionals, or simply discovered a new passion, your experience matters. Take the time to reflect on what you gained from the conference and consider sharing your journey with your peers, colleagues, or even through SETC’s official platforms. Here are a few examples of success stories from attendees that highlight the transformative potential of SETC:
Shylin Sadé, Senior at Western
Kentucky University and Professional
Actor
"My focus in theatre is mainly acting, but I’m starting to expand to playwriting, designing, and producing Over the years attending SETC, I’ve experienced incredible success, from getting booked for jobs to enrolling in prestigious programs I was called back for the Atlantic Acting School in New York City and participated in their summer intensive Later, I booked a summer gig with RWS Global that took me out of state for a few months Beyond these milestones, the masterclasses and connections I made at SETC have been the most rewarding experiences "
NEWS
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF OUTDOOR THEATRE
IN-PERSON ANNUALCONFERENCE
OCTOBER 8-11, 2025
Shylin also emphasized the importance of preparation and networking: "For first-timers, I recommend scheduling your days, attending masterclasses, and bringing plenty of resumes Building relationships with industry professionals can lead to incredible opportunities like becoming a mentee to casting director Kathleen Campbell or reconnecting with talented theatre artist Carlton V Bell "
Suellen Coelho, Assistant Professor of Costume Design at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
As a long-time SETC attendee, Suellen has experienced the conference from multiple perspectives "SETC was my first conference in the U S , and as an international student, it deepened my desire to become a scholar-artist I presented a workshop with my advisor and connected with other BIPOC professionals navigating similar challenges In my most recent experience, I attended with my students, saw their excitement for research and networking, and even got headhunted for my current assistant professor position "
Suellen’s advice for attendees: "Take the time to attend panels and networking events Explore what excites you in the theatre field and be kind to yourself This is a place to learn and grow "
Lillian Hargesheimer, Props Manager at Nashville Repertory Theatre
Over her four years attending SETC, Lillian’s focus shifted dramatically from auditioning for undergraduate programs as a high school senior to competing in the design competition and seeking full-time employment as a technician "I won first place in the 2024 Props Design and Technology competition! While winning was thrilling, the feedback from adjudicators and seeing others’ work was just as valuable These experiences expanded the way I approach design "
Lillian also highlighted the importance of the job fair: "The SETC job fair led to my first theatre job, which helped me build critical skills and boost my resume Even if you don’t secure a job, practicing interviews and presenting your portfolio professionally is invaluable "
Planning for SETC 2026
(continued from the previous page)
As you reflect on your 2025 experience, consider how you can build on your successes and prepare for an even more impactful SETC 2026 Here are some tips:
Document Your Experience: Write down what you learned, who you met, and how you’ve grown This will help you articulate your success story and identify areas for improvement
Offer Feedback: If you attended a workshop, see if the instructor posted a poll or follow-up survey Respond to the conference HQ feedback requests Let people who want to know how they did and remember to be kind when offering critical feedback 2
4
Request Feedback: If you hosted a workshop, reach out to attendees or conference staff to get any feedback available If you auditioned or competed in a design opportunity, ask your mentors what you did well and how you could improve Look for ways to build on the hard work you accomplished this year and keep growing 3 Stay Connected: Follow up with the people you met at SETC through the Whova App, by email, or even on social media Whether it’s a casting director, fellow artist, or industry professional, maintaining these relationships can lead to future opportunities
Expand Your Network: If you missed a workshop you wanted to attend that conflicted with another opportunity, learn about those instructors and their schools/studios/offices Researching the people you missed could still lead to potential opportunities to connect simply because you were both at SETC in Baltimore
Expand Your Skill Set: Use the time between conferences to explore new areas of theatre, strengthen your portfolio or attend additional workshops and training programs 6
8
Save the Date: Mark your calendar for SETC March 3-7, 2026 in Chattanooga, TN and plan for how you are going to get there, where you’ll stay, and who you want to go with Even if these are temporary and change, having a solid idea of how you will make SETC 2026 happen increases the likelihood that you’ll be set up for even more success next time
7 Plan For Next Year: Whether it’s auditioning for programs and entertainment companies, competing in a design category, landing a job at the fair, or presenting your own workshop, having clear objectives will keep you motivated and start working on them now
Set New Goals: How do you intend to tackle next year’s conference? Between now and then, make a checklist of things you want to accomplish by March next year so you can come to the conference leveled up and ready to showcase, connect, and invest in your creative future
9 Celebrate! Attending a conference like SETC is no small feat Just by attending, you our doing more for your own creative mind and career than those who are doing other things, so be proud of yourself for showing up, for attending workshops, for making new connections, nurturing past ones and continuing to build the career you want
Your Journey Continues
SETC is more than just a conference it’s a community that supports artists at every stage of their careers By sharing your story, staying connected, and planning, you can make the most of what SETC has to offer Whether you’re a student, professional, or educator, the lessons learned, and relationships built at SETC will continue to shape your journey in the theatre world
We can’t wait to hear your stories and see you at SETC 2026! Email thomas@setc org if you’d like to be featured in future articles that celebrate your post-conference experience!
JOB LISTINGS
Technical Director/Lighting Designer at Midland Community Theatre Midland TX
Assistant Professor, Technical Director at Greensboro College in Middletown NC
Lighting & Projection Technician at Dollywood Parks & Resorts, in Pigeon Forge, TN
Costume Shop Supervisor at Centre College in Danville KY
Take the next step in your career! Explore these and many more available positions at the SETC Theatre Job Board.
To post a job listing, click here
Thanks to SETC’s Contributors
Gullah Traveling Theatre Inc. - Anita Singleton Prather
Pattye Archer
Cheryl Frakes
Lindsay M Fussell
Paul Gabbard
Catherine Kraack
Elaine Malone
Lisa Martin
Anne Tromsness
To make a donation to SETC, click here
SETC Hall of Fame Honorees
Kris Geddie Keith T. Martin Shannon Robert
Getchell New Play Award
Douglas Chang
Douglas Chang, for his play Minor Bird
In Minor Bird: Charlotte is the author of a celebrated novel set in the Deep South, fictionally recalling her father’s heroic efforts to harbor a black man unjustly accused of a crime. Now in her 80s, she shoots and kills a black teen who has trespassed on her property When Letitia, an African-American lawyer from New York, comes down to assist in the case, and the boy’s uncle Davóne, who is barely older than the victim himself, seeks to confront the old recluse and get “satisfaction” – whatever that means – Charlotte’s life story unravels, leading to explosive encounters with Davóne, her relatives, and ghosts of her past
If you are considering producing Minor Bird, please contact Douglas Chang directly to arrange licensing
NEWS Secondary School Festival Honors
Outstanding Play Production
The Lost Boy
Ocean Springs High School, MS
Runner-Up
Kodachrome
New World School of the Arts, FL
Finalists
Stuck with You
Bob Jones High School, AL
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Stewarts Creek High School, TN
The Coloring Book
Davies County High School, KY
Outstanding Director
Allen Patrick Keny for Kodachrome
New World School of the Arts, FL
Outstanding Perfomance Ensemble
Surge
Watauga High School, NC
Best Original Concept Play
Surge
Watauga High School, NC
Outstanding Scenic Design
The Chronicles of Atom & Luna
Perry High School, GA
Outstanding Costume Design
Stuck with You
Bob Jones High School, AL
Outstanding Sound Design
Anon(ymous)
Green Hope High School, NC
Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design
Blood Wedding
Savannah Arts Academy, GA
Outstanding Sound Design
Anon(mous)
Green Hope High School, NC
Outstanding Props & Set Dressing
Blood Wedding
Savannah Arts Academy, GA
Outstanding Puppetry
The Veleteen Rabbit
Watauga High School, NC
A moment from Ocean Springs High School’s winning production of The Lost Boy
A moment from New World School of the Arts production of Kodachrome
Outstanding Performer
Caroline Alley as Egle in La Dispute
Bearden High School, KY
Miranda Souki as Photographer in Kodachrome
New World School of the Arts, FL
Outstanding Supporting Performer
Diego Erwin as The Old Crow in The Lost Boy
Ocean Springs High School, MS
Tyler Hatten as N Edwin Moore in Stuck with You
Bob Jones High School, AL
Excellence in Lighting Design
Marly Ezzat - The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Stewarts Creek High School, TN
Excellence in Physical Comedy
La Dispute
Bearden High School, KY
Excellence in Puppetry
The Velveteen Rabbit
Northwest Rankin High School, MS
Excellence in Fight Choreography
Edward Bradford for Blood Wedding
Savannah Arts Academy, GA
Excellence in Prop & Set Dressing
Blood Wedding
Savannah Arts Academy, GA
Excellence in Authentic Storytelling
Life Without Rue
Clay County High School, KY
Excellence in Stage Entrance
Ilan Zelicovich & Kaylee Abella in Kodachrome
New World School of the Arts, FL
Overall Technical Excellence
The Lost Boy
Ocean Springs High School, MS
A moment showcasing Marly Ezzat’s lighting design for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
A moment showcasing Edward Bradford’s fight choreography for Blood Wedding
Caroline Alley as Églé in La Dispute
Miranda Souki as Photographer in Kodachrome
Outstanding Tech Crew
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Stewarts Creek High School, TN
Mark Ad Del Nour
Caroline Alley
brooklyn barton
Maya Blackhurst
edward bradford
Colten Bruce
Cypress Bryce
Pressley Campbell
Andre Cardona
Deven Carr
Abigail Cooper
Sophia Corzo
Dawkins Ennis
Brooke Evans
Aaliyah Evans
Owen Frakes
Spirit of the Festival
The Greek Olympiaganza
North Marion High School, WV
Secondary School Festival All-Star Cast
Sophia Gomez
Jasmine Green
Emily Harrod
Talia Harsa
Lydia Hatten
Kyleigh Hogan
William King
Clara Lappan
Maggie Lawley
Lillana Lemus
Dan Li
Anna Lohmann
Josephine Martinez
Camerone Nethaway
Becca Niolet
Sasharyan Paulk
Marley Pelton
Sarah Pierce
Bianca Salve
Jade Sanders
Hailey Saylor
Rylan Sharp
Jaiden Simon
Shaylee Smith
Eli Solomon
Sophie Statler
Ava Stevens
Jack Towson
Wilker Viscaya
Coe Walkley
Zane White
Kip Williamson
Joshua Wright
A moment from The Greek Olympiaganza
The crew of The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Community Theatre Festival Honors
Outstanding Production
Best Performance in an Acting Role
Spirit of the Road
Happy Hour at Pink Place Highlands Lakeside Theatre
Tone Clusters Tupelo Community Theatre
David Vogt The Real Inspector Hound Self Express Productions
Jennifer Westergom Happy Hour at Pink Place Highlands Lakeside Theatre
sponsored by LUDUS
Outstanding Costume Design
Matilda: The Musical
Saltwater Performing Arts
Outstanding Technical Design
Tone Clusters
Tupelo Community Theatre
Outstanding Set Design
Happy Hour at Pink Place
Gary Johnson
Highlands Lakeside Theatre
Costume Design Winner
Matilda: The Musical
Oustanding Properties
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Alban Arts Teen Intensive
Oustanding Direction
Laura Byron Wade
Happy Hour at Pink Place
Highlands Lakeside Theatre
Oustanding Musical Direction
Megan Friese-Kaufman
Matilda: The Musical
Saltwater Performing Arts
Laura Byron Wade, winner of the Outstanding Direction Award
Ella Arens
John Carroll
Jamie Fair
Taylor Harris
Haley Johnson
Outstanding Choreography
Matilda: The Musical
Saltwater Performing Arts
Outstanding Ensemble Acting
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
Alban Arts Teen Intensive
Happy Hour at Pink Place
Highlands La eside Theatre
Community Theatre Festival All-Star Cast
Casey Kauffman
Hudson Leach
Christopher Leatherman
Andrew Macbeth
Jayson McLaughlin
Larry Moore
Jane Peterson
Cody Seals
Vance Woodall
Holly Woods
Best of the Fringe Festival
Unknown
Claflin University Theatre Ensemble
A moment showcasing the award-winning Matilda: The Musical choreography
2025 Design Tech Award Winners
sponsored by Associated Controls & Design
Lauryn Daley is the winner of the John Spiegel Theatrical Award which is presented annually to a student pursuing a degree or certificate in one of the following areas: Lighting Design, Projection Design, Properties Design, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Technical Direction, and Stage Management.
Stage Management Games sponsored by NuDelta Digital
1st Place: Anna Collins of Florida State University
2nd Place: Juliet Grace Grochowski of Virginia Commonwealth University
3rd Place: Savannah Spangler of East Tennessee State University
Sustainability in Production Award – Adjudicated by Liz Haynes
1st Place – Ashley Christensen of Indiana UniversityBloomington for F*cking A
2nd Place – Ivory Besse of the University of Kentucky for As You Like It
3rd Place – Mads West of Indiana UniversityBloomington for Reefer Madness
Honorable Mention - Lily Groff of Lafayette College for Much Ado About Nothing
Undergraduate Scenic Design Award - Adjudicated by Daniel Pinha
1st Place – Goldie Snow of the University of Oklahoma - for Waiting for Lefty
2nd Place – Mars Hunter of Ball State University for The Three Musketeers
3rd Place – Ruby Ravsten of the University of Oklahoma for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Honorable Mention – Van Montes of Virginia Commonwealth University for Twelfth Night
Goldie Snow’s scenic design for Waiting for Lefty
A picture showcasing Ashley Christensen’s winning design for F*cking A
Lauryn Daley, winner of the 2025 John Spiegel Theatrical Award
Undergraduate Lighting Design sponsored by ETC
- Adjudicated by Kathy A. Perkins
1st Place – Gabriel Beard of Virginia Commonwealth University for Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party
2nd Place – Zac Anderson of Wake Forest University for Radium Girls
3rd Place – Alex Jones of College of Charleston for Dracula
Honorable Mention – Christina Gager of the University of Florida for The Importance of Being Earnest
Undergraduate Costume Design
- Adjudicated by Danielle Preston
1st Place – Emily Cosma of Virginia Commonwealth University for Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party
2nd Place – Sam French of Virginia Commonwealth University for Proof
3rd Place – Rowan Brenzie of Virginia Commonwealth University for Ruddigore
Honorable Mention - Ailis Lindgren of Costal Carolina University for Alice by Heart
Honorable Mention - Tallie Pugh of Virginia Commonwealth University for The Boy Who Kicked Pigs
Sound Design Award
- Adjudicated by Justin Schmitz
1st Place – Ann Tran of George Mason University for The Tempest
2nd Place – Chance Beck of The University of Tennessee - Knoxville for Failure: A Love Story
3rd Place – Olivia Reiss of Muhlenberg College for The Labyrinth of Desire
Honorable Mention – Landen Norton of Ball State University for The Three Musketeers
Ann Tran with her design display for The Tempest
A moment featuring Gabriel Beard’s Design for The Wild Party
Emily Cosma’s Design for The Wild Party
Projection Design Award
- Adjudicated by Luis Garcia
1st Place – Cara Oates of the University of Oklahoma for RENT
2nd Place – Duncan Scarpa-Friedman of Virginia
Commonwealth University for Moth
3rd Place - Vir Gupta of Wake Forest University for Constellations
Costume Technology Award - Adjudicated by Cecelia Hill
1st Place – Rowan Brenzie of Virginia Commonwealth University for Ruddigore - Court Suit
2nd Place – Ivory Besse of the University of Kentucky for As You Like It - Corset
3rd Place – Emily Cosma of Virginia Commonwealth University for Frozen - Elsa “Let It Go”
Honorable Mention – Erin Allen of Virginia
Commonwealth University for Volante - Robe
Costume Crafts Award
- Adjudicated by Cecelia Hill
1st Place – Laura Asmussen of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for Anthony & Cleopatra
2nd Place – Morgan Hughes of Indiana State University for Bryan: Contemporary Puppet
3rd Place – Emily Andrew Mateos of Virginia
Commonwealth University for The Imaginary InvalidThe Cage Wig
A sketch from Rowan Brenzie’s costume design for Ruddigore
A moment of Cara Oates’ design for RENT
Riya Golden in a wig piece designed by Laura Asmussen.
Makeup Design Award
- Adjudicated by Audrey Hamilton
1st Place – Sarah Mahooti of the College of William & Mary for A Year with Frog & Toad
2nd Place – Benjamin Cudmore of the University of Richmond for The Woman in Black
3rd Place –Renee Drake of North Greenville University for The Last of Us
Honorable Mention - Laura Asmussen of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for Anthony & Cleopatra
Technical Direction and Construction Award sponsored by Productions Unlimited, Inc.
- Adjudicated by David Navalinsky
Lauryn Daley of Clemson University for Into the Woods
Sarah Mahooti with her design for A Year with Frog & Toad
Production shots of the design Into the Woods by Lauryn Daley
Photos taken by Ken Scar
Properties Design and Construction Award sponsored by Georgia Stage
- Adjudicated by Shannon Robert & Jenni Baldwin
1st Place – Mackenzie Crossland of Ball State University for The Three Musketeers
2nd Place – Morgan Hughes of Indiana State University for Rumple
3rd Place – Noah Butcher of Ball State University for Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812
Honorable Mention – Lexie Gibson of Ball State University for Cabaret
Graduate Scenic Design Award
- Adjudicated by Daniel Pinha
1st Place – Alondra Castro of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for How to Defend Yourself
2nd Place – Gabby Trice of University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music for La Finta Giardiniera
3rd Place – Leilane Bertunes of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for Failure: A Love Story
Honorable Mention - Regan Densmore of University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music for Wozzek
Graduate Lighting Design Award sponsored by ETC
- Adjudicated by Kathy A. Perkins
1st Place – Mads West of Indiana UniversityBloomington for Reefer Madness
2nd Place –Rae McCreary of Wayne State University for Into the Woods
3rd Place – Miguel Santiago of the University of Tennessee - Knoxville for Failure: A Love Story
Honorable Mention - Morgan Lessman of the University of Florida for The Music Man
A moment showcasing Mads West’s lighting design for Reefer Madness
Prop letters created by McKensie Crossland for The Three Musketeers
A rendering of Alondra Castro’s design for How to Defend Yourself
Graduate Costume Design Award
- Adjudicated by Danielle Preston
1st Place – Tori Niemiec of the University of TennesseeKnoxville of The House That Will Not Stand
2nd Place – Matthew Carl of the University of TennesseeKnoxville for Failure: A Love Story
If you have found any factual or photographic errors in this newsletter, please email thomas@setc.org with a correction.
Tori Niemiec with her winning Design for The House That Will Not Stand
