SETC News Winter 2026 by Southeastern Theatre Conference

Thoughts from the President’s Desk Page 1

Chattanooga, Here We Come!

Do you feel it? There’s excitement in the air! SETC’s 77th Annual Convention is just over a month away, and we can’t wait to welcome you to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Affectionately known as Choo‑Choo City!

SETC:

SETC’s mission is: to connect theatre artists to opportunities nationwide Each year, the annual conference brings that mission to life as thousands of artists and administrators gather to support

one another, expand professional networks, and strengthen their craft Whether you are just starting your theatre journey or are well established in the field, the SETC convention offers a place to grow, reconnect, and be inspired

NEWS SUBMISSIONS

Thomas Pinckney (he/him) Director of Advancement

thomas@setc.org

Opportunities at SETC span every area of the industry: acting, technical theatre, and arts administration. Our membership continues to thrive thanks to the many companies, organizations, and institutions seeking skilled, passionate talent. For those further along in their careers, SETC is also a space to cultivate meaningful professional relationships, friendships, and connections that become a lasting network of colleagues who support one another’s artistic and professional growth

Jeremy Kisling (he/him) President

ConnectingYouto

Opportunitiesin TheatreNationwide

CentralOffice

SETC

5701 W. Gate City Blvd. Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro, NC 27407

336-265-7489 info@setc org

ExecutiveCommittee

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

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Our vendors and workshops play a vital role in this ecosystem, connecting artists to essential resources, showcasing the latest tools and technologies, highlighting emerging trends, and introducing newly published plays. The conference floor is a dynamic hub where creativity meets possibility and innovation fuels inspiration.

Above all, SETC strives to be a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and valued. It is a space to refresh your spirit, reconnect with your community, and rediscover your passion for theatre. We are especially excited for you to meet our new Executive Director (announcement coming in February) and to experience Chattanooga through compelling performances, engaging workshops, and thought provoking conversations.

SETC is an organization built on care. Care for our field, our art form, and our shared humanity. We look forward to gathering together once again and celebrating the work we do and the community we continue to build

Join us in Chattanooga we can’t wait to see you there!

CarolineJaneDavis(she/her) Secretary

JeffGibson(he/him) ElectedPastPresident 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.

Ursula Robinson opening the 2025 Gala in Baltimore, photograph by Sorcha Augustine Don’t forget to get your tickets to the 2026 Gala in Chattanooga Get your tickets HERE

You're Ready For This! Preparing for your SETC Audition

Being invited to audition at SETC is a special and unique experience. Not only is SETC the largest theatre convention of its kind in the U.S., it’s also a true “one-stop shop,” where hundreds of performers audition and can receive immediate callbacks from several dozen professional companies offering varied employment opportunities.

However, auditioning is also vulnerable and stressful Your well-earned sixty-second package is likely a big moment for you

Despite the high stakes, SETC is designed to be supportive and encouraging, and places a strong emphasis on helping artists make the professional connections they long for during the conference. No need to crash out about auditioning! We have so many resources in place to help you along the way so you can be booked and blessed

Whether you are an expert at auditioning or this is your first time at SETC, here are three concise steps we highly recommend you review to get the best results out of your sixty seconds of fame:

1. Take advantage of this year’s new coaching opportunities. New to SETC this year is a recommended series of coaching experiences. Auditionees can attend an accompanist panel led by the pianists who will be playing their auditions at the conference, then sign up for individual coaching sessions with theatre professionals, and finally visit with a pianist during warm-up time right before their audition All of these opportunities will be available once you arrive at the conference, so keep an eye out for more information through Acceptd and the conference schedule.

Jenna Tamisiea (she/her) Co-Chair: Professional Theatre Division

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

MaeganMcNerneyAzar(she/her) StaffBoardLiaison

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

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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2. Watch the “What to Expect” videos. Be sure to check out the short videos on What to Expect in Your Audition (this one is especially important-it walks you through what happens after you’re assigned an audition number), as well as interviews with some of the Professional Companies on What Elements Hiring Companies Look For and What Makes a Memorable Audition.

3. Use the conference workshops to your advantage.

Beyond your audition, your registration fee gives you access to hundreds of workshops throughout the conference, many of which focus specifically on audition techniques Once it’s available, explore the Convention Schedule through the Whova app and grab an opportunity for last-minute insight

Auditioning is one of the bravest things an artist can do! We are so ready to see your hard work, and we hope these resources help you walk into the room confident and ready to shine.

Jenna Tamisiea on stage at the 2025 Fall Auditions in Atlanta

JOB LISTINGS

Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre Centre College, Danville, KY

Faculty positions in theatre: Design, Acting/Directing, and Technical Theatre Harding University, Searcy, AR

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

SETCMember2026

Thanks to SETC’s Contributors Contributions made by

Olivia Scott

Yvonne Hermann

John Ingram

Daniel Graber

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

a New Works festival as an industry ck from my perspective as an actor. d out. It was an experimental h femme-presenting and non-binary As the piece progressed, they nd then directly addressed the ifying audience members, e space. As those individuals exited and, I noticed something d from my body. My mind quieted. A he room. It was my first conscious e to engage with performance art in of womxn and non-binary people

Nights

been in a room exclusively for womxn since my teenage years in hose spaces often centered on shame and guilt, particularly around sex of marriage as sin. There were also sleepovers, where friends and I ughing, watching the sun rise through the blinds before finally sleeping 4 a m bedtime None of these centered around experiencing thout being concerned what our male counterparts were experiencing

who share a significant identity factor, whether gender, sexual ty, language, or other lifestyles can have a profound and affirming e for individuals who are underrepresented in media and the arts. At perienced something special. While the goal of theatre is often to bring ds, there is something uniquely restorative about intentionally creating are accustomed to code-switching, self-monitoring, or minimizing their nce in mixed rooms For those who often feel unseen, such experiences

Tiffany Gilly-Forrer (she/her) SETC Member

NEWS

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Affinity Nights are one way theatres can offer these opportunities. Across the United States, theatres have been hosting Affinity Nights for at least a decade, with many organizations expanding their efforts after 2020 brought heightened awareness to issues of representation and inclusion These events are designed to welcome audiences who share a particular identity and to create an environment where they can experience art collectively

One company leading this work in the Southeast is Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. I had the opportunity to speak with Ethan Heard, Signature’s Associate Artistic Director and Co-Chair of their Anti-Racism and Equity Working Group, about their approach to Affinity Nights “Signature was founded in 1989,” Heard explained “We’re especially known for our intimate productions of musicals and new plays We have two reconfigurable black box theatres, one seating 300 and one seating 100, and we want people from all backgrounds and walks of life to feel welcome in our space.” Heard shared that Signature had already been hosting Pride Nights for each production, complete with postshow receptions featuring food and drink. “We decided to go beyond our usual marketing efforts and host additional Affinity Nights for productions such as King of the Yes, In the Heights, Private Jones, Play On!, Soft Power, and Fiddler on the Roof.”

For the Signature team, Affinity Nights serve multiple purposes “They’re a way of showing BIPOC and LGBTQIA audiences that Signature is a joyful and welcoming place to experience theatre,” Heard said. “They help us grow our audience, and they create memorable moments for both artists and patrons.” He also emphasized how closely these events align with Signature’s mission. “Our work is grounded in collaboration, communication, and connection. Affinity Nights allow us to partner with local organizations and build genuine relationships with community groups.”

At their core, Affinity Nights are about cultivating community “People have many entertainment options,” Heard noted, “and some folks don’t even know about Signature Theatre yet ” These events allow the company to extend targeted invitations and offer customized experiences that resonate with specific communities. Theatre staff and cast members attend post-show receptions, fostering meaningful connections with audience members. Signature frequently collaborates with local musicians, food vendors, ASL interpreters, drag performers, and other artists to create these intentional gatherings.

For those who may be skeptical of Affinity Nights, Heard offered a simple suggestion: “Give them a try.” Like any initiative, their success depends on how well they align with a theatre’s mission, community, and resources When thoughtfully executed, Affinity Nights can create spaces of belonging and joy As demonstrated by Signature Theatre, they offer a powerful way to strengthen connection and deepen our collective engagement with the arts. To learn more about Signature Theatre, visit their website: https://www.sigtheatre.org/

Angel Lozada as Usnavi and the cast of In the Heights at the Signature Theatre

Photographed by DJ Corey Photography

Wesley J Barnes as Jester and the cast of Play On! at the Signature Theatre

Photographed by Daniel Radar

SETC Fringe Festival: A Platform for the Bold. A Celebration

of the Unconventional.

Fringe exists to make space for work that doesn’t fit neatly into predetermined categories, for artists willing to take risks, and for stories that feel urgent, personal, or unconventional. It is a place where bold ideas are not only welcomed but expected, and where experimentation is treated as a strength rather than a liability.

At its core, Fringe is about impact. It’s about what happens when artists travel with work shaped by their own communities and lived experiences and place it in conversation with audiences and fellow creators from across the region

Time and again, Fringe proves that deeply specific stories can resonate far beyond their place of origin

That belief is what first drew me to Fringe nearly four years ago, when I participated by bringing a devised piece created with a group of students. The work was rooted in local stories, and while we weren’t sure what to expect, the experience affirmed why Fringe exists: to foster meaningful exchange, amplify voices, and remind artists that their work belongs in the room Since then, my work with the festival has focused on helping create opportunities for unconventional pieces to be seen and for space to exist where the “weird” can sit comfortably alongside the familiar.

Over the years, Fringe has hosted deeply moving solo performances, oneperson Shakespeare adaptations, brand-new musicals, playwrights seeing their work staged for the first time, and performances blending movement, song, comedy, and tragedy Beneath this wide range of forms is a shared commitment to truth; artists responding honestly to the world around them. What makes the SETC Fringe Festival unique is not just what appears onstage, but the community it fosters. Fringe brings together artists, educators, students, and audiences who are eager to engage with work that challenges traditional theatrical norms. Performances often spark conversations about process, experimentation, and the future of the art form, making Fringe a vital part of the convention experience

Abby Dillard (she/her)

SETC Fringe Festival Co-Chair

The Cast of Medea Photographed by Cary Doyle

The Cast of Unreal City: A Song Cycle Photographed by Abigail Thomas

And just as importantly, this work is incredibly fun. Fringe reminds us to keep playing, exploring, and enjoying the making of theatre, even as we take risks and push boundaries We often say that if your show doesn’t quite fit anyone else’s parameters, it’s probably perfect for Fringe

The 2026 Fringe Festival will take place on Friday, March 6, during the SETC Convention, with three performance blocks beginning at 4:00 PM. This year’s lineup features solo shows, college-devised ensemble pieces, an original song cycle, and scripts making their stage debut, all alongside sword fights, explorations of love, loss, community, and so much more Whether you’re drawn to intimate solo work, bold ensemble pieces, or performances that blur the lines between theatre and multimedia, Fringe offers something for everyone

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The Wonders of Using the Whova App

Steven Butler Director of Convention Services

Navigating a convention as dynamic and wide-ranging as the SETC Annual Convention can feel overwhelming, in the best way. With hundreds of workshops, auditions, panels, networking events, and performances packed into just a few days, the Whova app quickly becomes an essential companion, transforming the SETC experience into something seamless.

Attendees can access real-time schedules, personalized agendas, and instant updates all in one place Last-minute room changes are now simple notifications This allows artists to focus on what truly matters: learning, connecting, and creating.

SETC thrives on community, and the app makes it easy to connect with fellow theatre practitioners, students, educators, and industry professionals.

Attendees can introduce themselves in discussion boards, join topic-specific conversations, and message others directly. Whether you’re seeking collaborators, mentors, or new friends. Another wonder of Whova is how it extends the life of the conference beyond physical walls. Shared resources remain accessible long after workshops end.

The app doesn’t just support the convention; it enhances it. At SETC, where we connect you to opportunities in theatre worldwide, the Whova app acts as a digital stage manager, keeping everything running smoothly so the magic of theatre can take center stage

Lost and Found in Pulaski

NEWS

SETC: In Memorium

Walter Shipley, SETC President 1994

Walter Shipley served as President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in 1994 During that time, we were both on the Executive Committee together I was SETC Treasurer in 1994 and 1995 and I got to know him fairly well He had a dry wit, an easy smile, and was, without a doubt, one of the most diplomatic and patient officers I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with during those early years at SETC. Walter taught theatre at Okaloosa-Walton Community College for many years, and his students absolutely adored him.

One of my most vivid memories of Walter revolves around the President’s Dinner Back then, the dinner was a much more formal affair than it is today If I remember correctly, it was held on the Wednesday night before the convention really began, and it was often hosted at a grand private home, usually that of a local university president.

In 1994, when Walter was president, SETC’s convention took place in Savannah, Georgia. Marian Smith, SETC’s Executive Director at the time, had arranged for horse-drawn carriages to transport the members of the Executive Committee from the old DeSoto Hilton Hotel to the dinner venue. Walter, never one for fanfare or extravagance, was clearly uncomfortable with this grand gesture. I can still picture his expression visibly embarrassed, rolling his eyes as we paraded through downtown Savannah like some kind of 19th-century aristocrats He silently mouthed the words, “This wasn’t my idea,” to anyone who happened to make eye contact during the “procession ”

I happened to be in Walter’s carriage that evening, and as luck would have it, the horse pulling our carriage had apparently suffered some kind of intestinal distress. We made several stops along the way, each one accompanied by noxious fumes and unpleasant liquid droppings. The trip, to put it mildly, was an experience we would never forget. For years afterward, we would laugh about it, and every President following Walter made sure to let Marian know, “No more horses!”

Beyond his humor and warmth, Walter was a genuinely kind and generous man He dedicated countless hours and much energy to serving SETC and its members He was one of the rare officers from that time who truly viewed his role as a way to provide service to the organization, rather than simply using it as a social platform for theatre professors. In a simpler time when SETC’s total budget in 1994 was under $250,000 Walter’s leadership helped set the foundation for the organization’s future growth.

Walter Shipley was an early leader who made a lasting impact on SETC, and his contributions will not be forgotten.

- Contributed by David Wohl SETC Past President (1997)

Get Involved!

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 Human Resources 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.

SPRING PRE-MEETINGS - all at 4:00-5:30 PM Eastern (virtual)

February 12 - Services Council (VP of Services, Matt Leckenbusch)

February 13 - Finance Council (VP of Finance, Ginger Poole)

February 15 - Opportunity & Access Council (VP of Opportunity & Access, cj bell)

February 16 - Administration Council (VP of Admin, Iris GoodeMiddleton)

February 17 - Publications Committee (Goode-Middleton)

February 18 - Strategic Planning Committee (Goode-Middleton)

February 19 - States Council (VP of States, Ian Andersen)

February 20 - Scholarships, Awards, and Grants Meeting (Poole)

February 22 - Careers & Hiring (Auditions) Committee Meeting (Director of Auditions, Marci Duncan)

February 24 - Past Presidents Committee (Elected Past President, Jeff Gibson)

February 25 - Divisions Council (VP of Divisions, Harry Culpepper)