STUDENT RESEARCH
Theatre students attend SETC UVa-Wise theatre students attended the Southeastern Theatre Conference this spring to learn more about career opportunities across the nation. They learned valuable information from professionals who worked with many Broadway shows, including “Hamilton,” “Rock of Ages,” and other awardwinning productions. The conference brought more than 4,000 theatre community members together for workshops, speakers, festivals, recruiting, job interviews and competitions. Students Nathan Clark, Alex Mitchell, Alex Hall, Jacy Burdette, Lorraine Dresch, Amber BeltranGonzalez, Logan Patrick and Robert Torres attended. “It was interesting to hear our students talk about the conference in the van ride back to campus,” Professor Ben Mays said. “I was particularly interested in how some light bulbs seemed to be going off for a few of them. Given the extraordinary keynote speakers, I am not surprised, and I’m hopeful for our future.” Oskar Eustis, artistic director of the Public Theatre, credited with nurturing the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” discussed the state of American theatre and the changes non-profit theatres face. Alice Ripley, an actor known for Broadway work in musicals, including “Next to Normal” and “Side Show,” was also a keynote speaker. Ripley conducted some
6 UVa-Wise Magazine
workshops as well. Beowulf Boritt, set designer for “Rock of Ages” and “Scottsboro Boys,” spoke about scenic design. J. Allen Suddeth spoke about staging fights for theatre and movies. John Gromada, an award-winning composer and a sound designer on 35 Broadway shows, Alejo Vietti, a costume designer, and Kevin Rigdon, a lighting designer who has worked at London’s West End and Broadway and is a founding member of Steppenwolf Theatre, were among the professionals who offered tips to the students. “We had some interesting conservations about some of the keynote points as well as the opportunities the students had to talk to possible employers during the job fair,” Mays said. “Of course, the graduate programs from different schools across the country were also helpful. I hope this becomes an annual event for our students.” Logan Patrick, a senior who is interested in directing, attended a master class in directing. “It made me think about what I want to do as an artist and where I want to go,” Patrick said. “It also made me
think about what changes do I want to make and how to achieve what I want. I brought that back to our theatre department.” Amber BeltranGonzalez, a senior interested in costuming, said she was surprised by the amount of technology, such as 3D laser printers, used in costume designing. Nathan Clark, a junior, said the conference helped him realize the process he needs to go through in order to get to the next step in a theatre career. Jacy Burdette, a senior, is focused on theatre education. The sense of community and social justice that was part of some workshops she attended appealed to her interests. Lorraine Dresch, a junior, honed her juggling skills at the conference. She also attended dance and movement workshops. Alex Hall, a senior, attended a mask making class and said the skills he learned will help in future UVaWise productions. Hall also attended a workshop on theatrical makeup. He participated in one demonstration and was transformed into a zombie by a talented makeup artist who had been on the Syfy show “Face Off.” The students have been sharing their new skills and tips with fellow theatre students. They also learned that the lighting equipment in the Gilliam Center for the Arts is better than most blackbox theatres in the nation.