SETC News May/June 2016

MAY / JUNE 2016

Bimonthly Newsletter of Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.

www.setc.org

CONTENTS SETC Events Pages 1 - 3

Professionals Page 4 - 5

Convention News Pages 6 - 7

High School Awards Page 8

Community Theatre

Scenes from the 2015 SETC Fall Auditions in Atlanta

Page 9

Design Awards Pages 10 - 12

Columns Pages 13 - 14

Theatre Symposium Page 15

Miscellaneous News Page 16

FIND YOUR NEXT ROLE AT SETC FALL AUDITIONS

Registration Opens May 16 WHERE AND WHEN ARE SETC FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS? Auditions will be held at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Airport Hotel in Atlanta, GA, Sunday, Sept. 11, and Monday, Sept. 12.

WHO CAN AUDITION? Auditionees must be at least 19, must have a minimum of two paid professional credits or be current Equity members, must have two references from the directors of shows where they earned paid professional credits, and cannot be in school.

WHAT ARE QUALIFIER AUDITIONS?

Actors who have only one professional contract and MFA students who will graduate in December can try out for a slot in the Sept. 11 Fall Professional Auditions by participating in “qualifying” auditions on Saturday, Sept. 10.

WHAT IS “THE STAGE IS YOURS”?

Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.

This is the Fall Auditions social event, where you can have fun and show your talents from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Mix, mingle and, if you like, get on stage before fellow auditionees and company reps. Have a bassoon? Come play. Are you a juggler?

Show us your stuff. Just want to act? Present a monologue or share a scene. Don’t want to do anything but socialize? Join us for the fun! Cash bar.

More info: www.setc.org/fall-professional

SETC SPRING AND FALL MEETINGS

Join Us for ExCom, Board and Committee Meetings EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS: May 13-14

Connecting You to Opportunities in Theatre

SETC’s Executive Committee will meet May 13-14, 2016, at the Wingate by Wyndham Hotel in Rock Hill, SC. Interested members are welcome to attend. Contact Quiana at 336-272-3645 or quiana@setc.org for more details.

2016 FALL MEETINGS: Sept. 9-10 Executive Committee President: Tiza Garland VP of Administration: Jeff Gibson VP of Services: Pat Gagliano VP of Finance: David Wohl Secretary: Maegan McNerney Azar Elected Past President: Alan Litsey VP of States: Mike Hudson VP of Divisions: Amie Kisling

Each year on the first weekend after Labor Day, SETC committees, the Advisory Council, the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors come together to discuss SETC business. This year’s Fall Meetings will be held Sept. 9-10, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Airport Hotel, 1325 Virginia Ave, Atlanta, GA 30344.

All members may attend; board and committee members are expected to attend.

For more information about the hotel and schedule and to make your reservations, visit www.setc.org/board-meetings.

ExCom Report Central Office Betsey Horth Executive Director SETC 1175 Revolution Mill Dr. Studio 14 Greensboro NC 27405 336-272-3645 info@setc.org

News Submissions Deanna Thompson, Editor deanna@setc.org

by Tiza Garland

The SETC Board of Directors and Executive Committee met in Greensboro, NC, on March 2, 2016. The following actions were taken by the Board. (Full minutes available on SETC website at www.setc.org/ leadership/minutes-archives.)

4 Approved a motion that the Executive Committee and the Executive Director accept the recommendation of the Institute of Outdoor Theatre (IOT) Task Force to move forward with a plan to make IOT part of SETC, along with the recommendations outlined in their report, which include examining the legal, financial, and structural implications of this action for SETC. 4 Approved a motion that the Executive Director form a small committee to work with her on preparing possible options for staff compensation and classifications in order to comply with proposed Department of Labor regulations on exempt/nonexempt status tentatively scheduled to go into effect in September and that these options be reported to the Executive Committee at its May meeting.

4 Approved motions to accept the President, Secretary, Archives and Bylaws manuals.

4 Approved the fiscal year 2017 SETC budget.

4 Approved a motion to transfer $100,000 from Corporate Reserves, with $50,000 moved to General Unallocated and $50,000 to the KEAP Fund.

More info: info: www.setc.org/board-meetings www.setc.org/upcoming More www.setc.org

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SETC EVENTS

SETC/USITT LINK l Nov. 11-13 l Atlanta, GA

Make Plans to Attend the 3rd Annual LiNK Graduate School Interviews, Auditions and Networking SETC and USITT will partner again for the third annual LiNK Graduate School Interviews and Auditions. Schools and prospective applicants will come together for a weekend of auditions, interviews and networking on November 11-13, 2016, at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta-Airport Hotel in Atlanta, GA.

Students interview at the 2015 LiNK Graduate School Interviews and Auditions.

Platinum Sponsor:

In 2015, 50 graduate programs from all over the United States were at LiNK recruiting for all areas of theatre study. Registration for graduate programs will open in early July, and registration for students will open in mid-August.

For more information about LiNK, including recruiting programs that attended last year, please visit www.setc.org/link.

It’s Time to Plan Your Workshop Proposals for the 2017 SETC Convention See below for important deadlines if you would like to propose a workshop for the 2017 SETC Convention in Lexington, KY. Questions? Email Vice-President of Services Pat Gagliano at patrick@setc.org or Program Manager Quiana Clark-Roland at quiana@setc.org. Or visit www.setc.org/workshop-proposals for more details.

5-1-2016

9-2-2016

9-30-2016

10-17-2016

11-11-2016

11-18-2016

12-9-2016

3-1-2017

OPENING: Workshop Proposal Submissions

DEADLINE: Audio/Video Equipment Requests

DEADLINE: Workshop Proposal Submissions

OPENING: 2016 Convention Registration

NOTIFY: Workshop Proposal Accepted

NOTIFY: Workshop Proposal Declined

DEADLINE: Convention Registration

by Presenters

CONVENTION: 2017 SETC Convention Begins

More info: www.setc.org www.setc.org

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PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

INSPIRATION for Professionals

Getting a Job through SETC: Daniel Gonzalez – 42 Callbacks!

Daniel Gonzalez, a senior musical theatre major at East Carolina University, attended the SETC Professional Auditions in March – and wowed companies with his audition. He and another auditionee (see Page 5) tied for the highest number of callbacks.

How did you feel about your 40+ callbacks at the recent SETC Professional Auditions?

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO WORK? Companies attending SETC’s most recent Fall and Spring Professional Auditions came from 26 states.

Click on the map above to see a larger version, showing locations of the companies (denoted with green circles).

The home states of auditionees, who traveled to auditions from 40 states, also are shown (denoted with blue stars).

More information on Fall Auditions: www.setc.org/fallprofessional

I actually didn’t realize I got so many! When I was in the callback room, I didn’t have time to write all of them down. So, I wrote down the ones I was interested in – about 35 callbacks. I was surprised and ecstatic that so many companies enjoyed my audition. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to rejoice and reflect until a few days later!

Did your callbacks lead to a job?

Yes, I was able to book a year-long, paid internship with the regional theatre Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN, which was exactly what I wanted. My contract begins on May 10, and I start rehearsals for Sister Act in the part of Joey on the same day. This is literally three days after I graduate from college.

What was your first professional job?

My first professional job happened to be The Lost Colony, which I got though SETC Professional Auditions. I got to work with the incomparable Ira David Wood, who gave me the opportunity to play one of the principal characters in the symphonic drama when I was only a sophomore in college. I learned a lot from my first professional job, and I’m glad I was able to get it through SETC.

What types of shows do you like to do best?

I like musicals with challenging scores and intriguing themes. I love shows that make you think and give a good balance of spectacle and serious acting work.

What’s the favorite play or musical you have been involved with?

My favorite musical I have ever been in is the one I am in now – a production of Spring Awakening by a student-run theatre company called 5th Street Players at ECU. It is such a powerful musical with such an important message. It also doesn’t hurt that the music is beautifully arranged and dynamic. It has been such an amazing experience working with a talented cast and a moving show.

More info: www.setc.org/fall-professional www.setc.org

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PROFESSIONAL ARTIST SPOTLIGHT

INSPIRATION for Professionals

Getting a Job through SETC: Daniel Velasquez – 42 Callbacks!

Daniel Velasquez, a senior musical theatre major at the University of Alabama, attended the SETC Professional Auditions in March – and wowed companies with his audition. He tied with another auditionee (see Page 4) for the highest number of callbacks.

How did you feel about your 40+ callbacks at the recent SETC Professional Auditions?

It was a weird mix of overwhelming joy and overwhelming panic. I felt like I couldn’t really enjoy the moment because I had to really get going to get to as many of these companies as possible, but I was so thankful to have that many opportunities.

Herb Parker, author of the new book A Monologue Is an Outrageous Situation!

How to Survive the 60-Second Audition shares the following nugget: “To help young actors make choices that are more dynamic and exciting (so they can do their best work and maybe get the job!), it is important to think of a monologue as being spoken in the midst of an outrageous situation, caused by LOVE.” Find the book here: www.routledge.com/ products/9781138120013

Did your callbacks lead to a job?

Yes, I very recently got my first professional job, which is at Norwegian Cruise Lines.

They saw me at SETC and sent me some extra material to film and send back to them, and then they offered me a job!

How has SETC assisted you in your goals?

I have been involved with SETC for three years, although this is the first year I have been passed through the pre-screening process. SETC has definitely opened a lot of doors for me. There aren’t a lot of professional auditions around Tuscaloosa, so SETC is kind of crucial to finding summer work/professional work for the whole department.

What types of shows do you like to do best?

I really enjoy doing pop/rock musicals. I had the opportunity to play Jason in Bare: A Pop Opera not too long ago, and it is one of my favorite roles.

What’s the favorite play or musical you have been involved with?

My favorite experience so far was this year when I got to work on The Countess of Storyville. It is a new musical, and the creative team decided to do a workshop/ production of it at the University of Alabama to get the project on its feet. It was an exceptionally cool experience because of the people that I got to work with. Many of the lead roles in the show were played by New York- or Los Angeles-based actors who had credits all over the place (Broadway, West End, television and film, etc.). We also got to work with a highly established and awarded creative team. It was really a very valuable experience.

More info: www.setc.org/fall-professional www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Remembering Greensboro: Quotes, Awards and People On the pages that follow, we share award winners, photos and what you liked best about SETC 2016, which drew one of the highest numbers of attendees in SETC history. The 2016 SETC Convention also attracted a record number of Theatre Job Fair applicants and the highest number of Design Competition entries in recent memory.

KEYNOTES • The keynote speakers, particularly Peter Schumann from Bread and Puppet and Pearl Cleage, were really the highlight of the event for me.

Playwright Pearl Cleage (left) receives SETC’s Distinguished Career Award from President Tiza Garland.

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• I loved hearing Bill Oberst Jr.’s story and challenge to pursue work that is meaningful to you.

• Jim Warren provided me with fantastic information that can be applied to my spring direction of a Shakespeare comedy!

• I loved the design keynote speakers! They were knowledgeable, personable and created such a sense of joy about the theatre.

• I absolutely loved listening to Ms. Cleage. She was so inspiring and open with us. While I enjoy hearing about speakers’ experiences with “making it” in theatre, I much preferred Ms. Cleage’s “real-life” talk that reached far beyond those who plan to pursue acting as a career.

Keynote Emerging Artists of Promise (KEAP) Award recipients for 2016 were (left to right) Sarah Wallace, Westside High (WV); Riley Taylor, Pelham High School (AL); Sydney Prather, White Station High School (TN); and Tanner McGee, Oak Grove High School (MS) Tonya Hays, KEAP Award chair, is shown center.

Dean Slusser speaks after receiving SETC’s Suzanne M. Davis Award from President Tiza Garland.

Teresa Lee (right) accepts SETC’s Sara Spencer Child Drama Award on behalf of Appalachian Young People’s Theatre from award chair Jeremy Kisling.

More info: www.setc.org/convention www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

CONVENTION LOCATION

Graduate School Scholarship Winners

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• This is one of my favorite locations.

Excellent availability for all your convention needs, i.e., food, all meeting rooms on-site and free parking!

• Wonderful location, and whenever I had trouble navigating, there was always someone around to help guide me where I needed to go.

• It was great to have everything within walking distance as this was the key to maxing out additional workshops.

• This was an incredible location! So impressed with the accommodations and the accessibility of the conference center.

• Please do Greensboro again.

Ready to Work Award Winners

Graduate School Scholarship recipients were (top row, left to right): William E. Wilson Award, Tricia Oliver (right), Lee Scott Academy (AL), with award chair Dean Slusser; Leighton M. Ballew Award, Lauren Ellis (right), University of South Carolina Aiken, with award chair Robert Homer-Drummond; (bottom row, left to right) Robert Porterfield Award, Joseph d’Ambrosi (right), University of Central Florida, with award chair Abby Kiker; and Marian A. Smith Costume Scholarship Award, Alyssa Couturier-Herndon, University of Florida.

Playwriting Winners

Winners of SETC’s Ready to Work Award are chosen from graduate entrants in the Design Competition. In addition to a cash prize from SETC, each winner receives the opportunity to design a show at a theatre. The 2016 winners and the theatre where they will work are (right to left): Olivia Trees, Triad Stage, Greensboro, NC; Manuel Ramirez Guevara, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Lexington, KY; Bridgette Dreher, Omaha Theater Company, Omaha, NE.

Tom Behm Scholarship for professional development

The 2016 winner is Julie Woods-Robinson of the University of Central Florida.

Darlene Freemon, a teacher at Florence High School (AL), won SETC’s Innovative Playwriting Instruction Award for high school teachers. She is shown with award chair Kevin Ferguson.

Ben Gierhart (right) is the winner of the Charles M. Getchell New Play Award.

He is shown with award chair Darren Michael.

More info: www.setc.org/scholarships-awards www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Award recipients from left: Polly Holliday Award, Faith Craig (right), Corner Theatre Academy (AL), with chair Gary Weatherly; 2015-16 Secondary School Scholarship, Kaylie Rose Elward (right), Pelham High School (AL), with committee member Kendall Kiker.

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Undergraduate Scholarship Winners

HIGH SCHOOL FESTIVAL • Every school that attended put on the best show they could’ve done.

Work ethic is so high for teens.

• Overall, amazing!

Winners of High School Festival sponsored by Norcostco The winner of the High School Festival was Rock Ridge High School (VA) for its production of Ernest and the Pale Moon.

Left: Tony Cimino-Johnson, director of the winning play. Right: Larry Robinson, director of the runner-up.

The runner-up in the High School Festival was Central Academy of Technology and Arts (NC) for its production of The Diviners.

Best Actress: Hayley Shipley, Dr. Phillips High School (FL), The Seagull

Best Actor: Gaige Robinson, Central

Acadeny of Technology and Arts (NC), The Diviners

More info: www.setc.org/high-school-theatre www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Winners of Community Theatre Festival sponsored by Dramatists Play Service

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Actors’ Warehouse (FL) won for Tshepang.

Shown left to right are Pat Bellis, Mandisa Haarhoff, Jan Cohen, Steven Butler and Jamaili Tyler.

COMMUNITY THEATRE FESTIVAL • The UNCG facility for Community Theatre was excellent!

• The highlight of my experience was the Community Theatre Festival.

Wild Hare Productions (SC) won for Lone Star.

Shown left to right are Wally Dorn, Chris Allen, Bess Park (director), and Jon Lee, (sound and lights).

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Steven Butler, Best Actor, and Mandisa Haarhoff, Best Actress.

Both won for their work in Tshepang, presented by Actors’ Warehouse (FL).

FAVORITES AT THE CONVENTION • Teachers Institute on Puppets: Outstanding! The presenter was knowledgeable, approachable and fun!

• I was able to talk to 13 companies about job opportunities all in one place. I’ve already had two follow-up emails. Loved the Stage Management Olympics!

• The Bob Fosse workshop was my favorite! I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to go.

• I love the camaraderie of the design events!

• All the booths were cool. It was like a candy store.

• Fun, insightful, eye-opening and helpful! Loved everything the convention had to offer!

More info: www.setc.org/community-theatre www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION: DESIGN COMPETITION

Costume Design Awards sponsored by Wardrobe Witchery

Graduate Costume Design Award Winners (Left to right) Honorable Mention, Kelsey Nichols, Mr Burns: A Post Electric Play, Indiana University; Honorable Mention, Hannah Chalman, The Striker, Virginia Commonwealth University; 3rd Place, Xiaolin Lan, The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Virginia Commonwealth University; 2nd Place, Joshua Winchester, The Magic Flute, Florida State University; 1st Place, Olivia Trees, A Lesson Before Dying, University of Tennessee-Knoxville.

Properties Design and Construction Awards

1st: Graduate Costume Design Olivia Trees A Lesson Before Dying

sponsored by Friends of Props

(Left to right) Honorable Mention: Jeremy Smith, Wagon Design, Arkansas State University; 3rd Place: Linda Di Bernardo, Sam The Eagle Puppet, Ohio University; 2nd Place: Erin Brandt, Swept Hilt Rapier, Ohio University; 1st Place: Samantha Llanes, Furniture, Ohio University.

1st: Props Samantha Llanes Furniture

Undergraduate Costume Design Award Winners (Left to right) Honorable Mention, Matthew Adkins, Dancing at Lughnasa, Francis Marion University; Honorable Mention, Rachel Allen, The Addams Family Musical, Florida School of the Arts; 3rd Place, Breanne Levandowsky, King Lear, Virginia Commonwealth University; 2nd Place, Willa Piro, Hello Again, Virginia Commonwealth University; 1st Place, Devin O’Neill, No Child, Towson University.

More info: www.setc.org/design-competition www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION: DESIGN COMPETITION

Scenic Design Awards sponsored by Sculptural Arts Coating, Inc.

Undergraduate Scenic Design Award Winners (Left to right) 3rd Place, Brandon Roak, Loot, Clemson University; 2nd Place, Rebecca Johnson, Rent, East Carolina University; 1st Place, Lindsey Purvis, Women in Arms, Berry College.

Graduate Scenic Design Award Winners (Left to right) 3rd Place, Henry Wilkinson, A Lesson Before Dying, University of Tennessee-Knoxville; 2nd Place, Nicole Bianco, The Golden Dragon, University of Florida; 1st Place, Bridgette Dreher, Macbeth, Indiana University.

1st: Graduate Scenic Design Bridgette Dreher Macbeth

Sound Design Awards sponsored by Shure, Inc.

Stage Management Games

sponsored by Empty Space Technology

1st Place, Curtis Miller, Frankenstein: Dawn of A Monster, Virginia Commonwealth University

1st: Sound Design Curtis Miller Frankenstein: Dawn of a Monster

(Left to right) 3rd Place, Tony Antunez, Florida School of the Arts; 2nd Place, Ariel Ryals-Trammell, Lees-McRae College; 1st Place, Emily Hambridge, Virginia Commonwealth University.

More info: www.setc.org/design-competition www.setc.org

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2016 SETC CONVENTION: DESIGN COMPETITION

Lighting Design Awards sponsored by Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc. Graduate Lighting Design Award Winners (Left to right) 3rd Place, Aaron Bowersox, Sweet Charity, Indiana University; 2nd Place, Maranda DeBusk, Mr. Burns: A Post Electric Play, University of Tennessee-Knoxville; 1st Place, Yu Lei, Side Show, Kent State University.

Undergraduate Lighting Design Award Winners (Left to right) 3rd Place, Taylor Jensen, The Pillowman, Furman University; 2nd Place, Christine Dorsey, Agbedidi, University of Florida; 1st Place, Haley Brown, Durang/ Durang, Furman University.

1st: Graduate Lighting Design Yu Lei Side Show

Costume Crafts and Technology Awards sponsored by Norcostco

(Left to right) Honorable Mention, Sydney Moore, Commedia Mask, George Washington University; Honorable Mention, Samantha Llanes, Metal Work, Ohio University; 3rd Place, Olivia Trees, Millinery, University of Tennessee-Knoxville; 2nd Place, Rachel Buechele, Darzee the Bird Puppet, Florida State University; 1st Place, Magdalena Tortoriello, Scaled Period Corset, Indiana University.

1st: Crafts and Technology Magdalena Tortoriello Scaled Period Corset

More info: www.setc.org/design-competition www.setc.org

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FROM THE VP OF SERVICES

Americans for the Arts Leader Shares Encouragement at SETC Convention Why do you attend the SETC Convention? For the workshops?

Performances? Auditions? Inspiration?

Pat Gagliano VI C E PR ESID ENT OF SERV IC E S

As a member of SETC, you are automatically a member of

Americans for the Arts.

It’s a perk of membership in our organization.

If inspiration is one of the reasons, I hope you had an opportunity to hear the Friday presentation by Nina Ozlu Tunceli (right), chief counsel of government and public affairs at Americans for the Arts and executive director of the Americans for the Arts Action Fund.

As part of our mission to connect you to opportunities in theatre, we were delighted this year to welcome Nina as our guest speaker for Friday’s States Luncheon. Recognize her name? Maybe you have received emails from Nina. If so, I encourage you to read them.

I attended the luncheon and was inspired by Nina’s presentation. She shared some of her strategies for arts advocacy and detailed the stance of each current Presidential candidate regarding his or her support for arts.

Overall, Nina shared the kind of positive message we need to hear for those times when things seem to be going against us, especially in this era of continued budget cuts. Americans for the Arts is an organization that advocates on our behalf, obtaining federal funding for arts organizations and helping to expand employment in the arts.

The organization is energized by people like you and me. When the right leaders organize passionate people, the advocacy is powerful. Americans for the Arts helps us become a voice that is heard.

More info: www.americansforthearts.org

CONTRIBUTIONS to the SETC ENDOWMENT: May 2015 through April 2016 Justin Almager Jordan Auriemma Maegan Azar Zak Bacon Jerry Bangham Steve Bayless Elton Bradley Joey Cassella Decorian Cobb Richard Cowan Taylor Fay Paury Flowers Anne Forbes

Lindsay Fussell Nancy Gall-Clayton Tiza Garland Andrew Gleckler Mario Gonzalez Sheila Gordon Janet Gray Tony Haigh Josh Hartwell Telena Hicks Mike Hudson Daniel Hulsizer Matthew Ishee

Ryan Jenny Katie Johnson Amie Kisling Jeremy Kisling Alan Litsey Donald Loeffler Danielle Long Russell Luke Elaine Malone Carly Jo Martens Jennifer Matthews Jeremy Mayo Sarah McCarroll

Clarence Merilles Meredith Morse Bill Murray Newton Neely Estate Mary Norman Eddie Ortega Herb Parker Addie Pawlick Mario Raymond Chris Rich Julie A. Richardson Alice Roberson Bill Rogers

Monica Rosenblatt Daly Santana Benjamin Shrader Dean Slusser Stephanie Slusser Alexys Smiley Susan L.D. Smith John Spiegel Ike Stoneberger Mojena Talien Helen Textor Steven Turner Savannah Weidman

Dennis Wemm Annie-Laurie Wheat Donna White David Wohl Gabe Wood Joshua Yoder Anna Zamolodskaya SETC Board Members SETC Executive Committee

More info: www.setc.org/endowment www.setc.org

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

SETC Responds to North Carolina’s HB 2

Tiza Garland PR ESID ENT

Article VI of SETC’s Articles of Incorporation states, “No substantial part of the properties or income of the Corporation shall ever be used or employed directly or indirectly by the Corporation for the purpose of carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.” However, SETC may signify support or disapproval of events or instances that directly affect the free expression of its constituencies.

After North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory signed House Bill 2, the so-called “bathroom bill,” into law on March 26, 2016, SETC sent a letter to McCrory stating that we believe the law is discriminatory. With our Central Office located in North Carolina and our most recent convention held in the state as well, we thought it was important for SETC to make its views known.

READ SETC’S RESPONSE TO HB 2: www.setc.org/hb2response-letter

READ HB 2: www.ncleg.net/ Sessions/2015E2/ Bills/House/PDF/ H2v4.pdf

What are the key provisions of House Bill 2?

“House Bill 2: Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act” makes several changes to North Carolina law, but the most controversial is the provision requiring transgender people to use bathrooms and changing facilities “based on their biological sex” in public schools, public universities and public buildings in North Carolina.

Another section of the law addresses the protection of rights in employment and public accommodations, declaring that workers are protected against “discrimination or abridgment on account of race, religion, color, national origin, age, biological sex or handicap by employers which regularly employ 15 or more employees.” You will note that biological sex is mentioned, but sexual orientation and gender identity are not.

SETC is committed to nondiscrimination SETC has a history of supporting nondiscrimination and continues to support the rights of all people to freely express themselves without the expectation of a legal authority limiting their individual human rights.

I am proud to share with you SETC’s nondiscrimination policy, which supports our philosophy of inclusion. Rule V.2 says: “The right to membership, to hold office, and to participate in SETC activities, including (but not limited to) conventions, meetings, auditions, and performances shall not be abridged because of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, military veteran’s status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by law.”

More info: www.setc.org/hb2-response-letter www.setc.org

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THEATRE SYMPOSIUM

SETC Theatre Symposium Event Focuses on Cross-Cultural Dialogue The annual SETC Theatre Symposium was held April 22-24 at Agnes Scott College in Atlanta. Scholars from institutions around the globe presented research related to the topic “Cross-Cultural Dialogue on the Global Stage” at the event organized by editor Becky Becker.

Selected papers from the event will be chosen via a peerreview process to appear in the journal Theatre Symposium 25, scheduled for publication in summer 2017.

All individual members of SETC receive a copy of the journal as a benefit of membership.

Theatre practitioner and scholar Anita Gonzalez served as keynote speaker, presenting “Theatre as Cultural Exchange: Stages and Studios of Learning.”

Gonzalez encouraged participants to consider three ways of engaging in cross-cultural dialogue: through collaboration, through cultural exchange and by finding the global in the local.

The 2016 Theatre Symposium keynote speaker, Anita Gonzalez (right), prepares to present her end-of-conference response. Also shown are participants (left to right) Sonora Ann Reulas, Erica Tobolski and Tia Ade-Salu.

These and other themes circulated throughout the weekend’s dialogue as participants presented papers on topics ranging from cross-cultural conceptions of classical theatre, to Eastern influences on Western works, to cross-cultural dramaturgy.

Rounding out the weekend with an inspiring response to the symposium, Gonzalez reminded theatre scholars and practitioners that “diversity of thought” is just as important as visual diversity as we bring cross-cultural work to our classrooms, production seasons and scholarly work.

SETC thanks the faculty and staff of Agnes Scott College, and particularly former editor David Thompson, who has now hosted Theatre Symposium on his home campus six times during the past decade. SETC also thanks associate editor Sarah McCarroll, along with past editors J.K. Curry, Phil Hill, Scott Phillips and Bert Wallace for their contributions.

More info: www.setc.org/theatre-symposium www.setc.org

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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS

HAVE A QUESTION FOR SETC CENTRAL OFFICE? Find the right contact to answer your question Rachel Blake rachel@setc.org General Questions Advertising in Publications April J’C Marshall april@setc.org Professional Auditions Screening Auditions Theatre Job Services Mark Snyder mark@setc.org Listings in Theatre Job Board Membership Accounts Receivable Claire Wisniewski claire@setc.org Undergrad School Auditions Graduate School Auditions Commercial Exhibits Education Expo Festivals Kim Doty kim@setc.org Social Media Communications/Website Quiana Clark-Roland quiana@setc.org Convention Planning Convention Logistics Workshop Proposals Betsey Horth betsey@setc.org Organization Leadership

Apply for ATHE Leadership Institute Applications are being accepted through May 15 for the Association for Theatre in Higher Education Leadership Institute, to be held August 9-11, 2016. Each candidate must be nominated by a chair or a dean via a one-page letter of nomination. For more information, visit the ATHE website at www.athe.org/?page=LI_About.

Lynn Meadows Receives National Award Lynn Meadows Discovery Center for Children, an interactive children’s museum in Gulfport, MS, that includes the Wings Performing Arts Program, is one of 10 recipients of the 2016 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation’s highest honor given to museums and libraries for service to the community. Congratulations to Tonya Hays (left), director of the Wings Program and chair of SETC’s KEAP Committee.

In Memoriam Debra Barnum, a longtime theatre teacher and arts leader in Florida, died Feb. 25, 2016, at age 65. For many years, she was the records clerk for SETC’s High School Auditions Committee. She also was active in the Florida Theatre Conference and was a former president of the Florida Association for Theatre Education, a former Thespian state director and a former regional director of the Educational Theatre Association.

Scot Copeland, producing artistic director of Nashville Children’s Theatre for more than 30 years, died Feb. 24, 2016. He was 62. The chair of SETC’s Theatre for Youth division in the 1980s, he was a longtime advocate for quality professional theatre for young people. He had been scheduled to serve as a respondent for SETC’s Theatre for Youth Invitational Festival at the 2016 convention. Survivors include his wife René, the producing artistic director at Nashville Repertory Theatre.

Send your news to deanna@setc.org www.setc.org

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