Lifestyles

TOP LEFT: Jennifer Poarch, interim theatre director, reads through student examples of audition cuts and monologues.

TOP BOTTOM: Jennifer Poarch, interim theatre director, accompanies a student’s mock audition piece.

Photos by McKenzie Durand Jennifer Poarch, interim theatre director, assists student Cheyenne Bacon, 19, sophomore of Lawellen in making an audition cut of her music.

Poarch guides students through COVID difficulties

u By Mackenzie Dahlberg Reporter

Soft conversation murmurs through the theater auditorium, bodies fill the room’s crimson-padded seats. A high ceiling arches over the excited patrons. The lights dim, allowing people the time to return to their seats before they are submerged in darkness. A blanket of comfortable silence settles over the crowd. Dust filters through the centerstage light, reflecting brightly against the hardwood stage. The crowd holds their breath for the first performer. A little girl appears in the spotlight.

Like anyone with a big dream for their future, Jennifer Poarch started her career with dancing when she was two and performing when she was four. She quickly grew interested in theater and has stuck with it since childhood.

Poarch is the interim director that the theater department welcomed to campus this semester. She was the Artist in Residence of Spring 2020 when classes were switched to remote delivery. Discussions were had on the possible benefits “ Chadron is a beautiful, quaint area. I am enjoying getting away from the hustle private studios with students ranging from toddlers to adults. She’s worked with children and teens at performing arts camps, spoken at master theater classof the position based on the circumstances and bustle of the fast es in various colleges across the Southeast, of the current health paced city. and she’s been emenvironment, but she ployed by two colleges. applied for her current At the colleges, she’s position in June and was hired in August. - Jennifer Poarch, Interim Director, taught clogging, stage combat, voice and

Poarch graduated CSC Theater Department movement for the acfrom Lees-McRae Coltor, acting and addition lege with a Bachelor technique. of Science in musical Adjusting to Chadtheatre and dance. In the last 20 years, she ron has been pleasant for Poarch, even while has performed, directed, choreographed, walking downtown she has been greeted by managed and educated in theaters across welcoming and smiling faces. the country. “Chadron is a beautiful, quaint area,”

Poarch’s teaching experience ranges in Poarch said. “I am enjoying getting away variety and age. She has taught dance for from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city. Climbing a butte to see for miles is certainly a majestic joy.”

For her classes, Poarch hopes to teach both of her classes face-to-face through the semester. The course starts with a welcome and small lecture, before shifting to an interactive method.

“Within the performing arts, participation is a key factor,” Poarch said. “I guide the class through a controlled physical and vocal warm-up as well as a theater improvisational game. We apply the terminology we’ve learned through other theatrical exercises by learning monologues, scene work and combinations.”

No matter what happens throughout the semester, Poarch is willing to work with the circumstances, her best interest being her students.

“I would help pass along knowledge and student’s growth no matter what the current situation,” she said, “I enjoy a good challenge.”