2008 Woodie Awards
Piedmont theatre goes to SETC
Theatre department goes to conference in Tennessee
by Cassie Scarborough
Issue date: 3/17/08 Section: A&E
"It was a great experience and we will definitely be going back next year," says sophomore Shannon Webber.
Piedmont College sent 13 students and three professors to the 59th Annual Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. March 5-9.
"Known for its wide spectrum of opportunity, SETC is the best in the country," says Bill Gabelhausen, assistant professor of theatre at Piedmont.
Theatre students participated in workshops and events ranging from voice and breathing to stage movement and outdoor theatre survival tips. Students were also able to audition for other college programs, as well as professional companies.
Heather Thomas, a theatre education major and attendee of the conference, says, "One of the best parts of the convention was getting the chance to work with Judith Farris."
Farris is currently the Artist in Residence in the theatre and music departments at Southeast Missouri State University. She began her professional career at the Santa Fe Opera. Farris then went on to perform with The Washington Opera, Hartford Symphony and many other musical groups. She also owns her own voice studio in New York City.
Keynote speakers for SETC included three individuals giving presentations related to the conference's theme, Celebrating Diversity. One of these individuals was Kieu Chinh, screen star and humanitarian activist, whose speech was called A Journey Home: Asian American Awareness and Identity. Dr. Daniel Banks of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and Rosemary Newcott, the Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth at the Alliance also spoke.
Many of Piedmont's theatre students agree that the conference was an intriguing and great experience.
"This conference would be great for non-theatre majors," says sophomore Sarah Greene. "You're constantly trying different things, so it would be easy for people to make a decision to come into theatre depending on what they liked and disliked at the conference."
Seb Burnett, freshman theatre major, says, "It's also a great experience for college freshmen because you get to dive right into theatre."
Piedmont College sent 13 students and three professors to the 59th Annual Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, Tenn. March 5-9.
"Known for its wide spectrum of opportunity, SETC is the best in the country," says Bill Gabelhausen, assistant professor of theatre at Piedmont.
Theatre students participated in workshops and events ranging from voice and breathing to stage movement and outdoor theatre survival tips. Students were also able to audition for other college programs, as well as professional companies.
Heather Thomas, a theatre education major and attendee of the conference, says, "One of the best parts of the convention was getting the chance to work with Judith Farris."
Farris is currently the Artist in Residence in the theatre and music departments at Southeast Missouri State University. She began her professional career at the Santa Fe Opera. Farris then went on to perform with The Washington Opera, Hartford Symphony and many other musical groups. She also owns her own voice studio in New York City.
Keynote speakers for SETC included three individuals giving presentations related to the conference's theme, Celebrating Diversity. One of these individuals was Kieu Chinh, screen star and humanitarian activist, whose speech was called A Journey Home: Asian American Awareness and Identity. Dr. Daniel Banks of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, and Rosemary Newcott, the Artistic Director of Theatre for Youth at the Alliance also spoke.
Many of Piedmont's theatre students agree that the conference was an intriguing and great experience.
"This conference would be great for non-theatre majors," says sophomore Sarah Greene. "You're constantly trying different things, so it would be easy for people to make a decision to come into theatre depending on what they liked and disliked at the conference."
Seb Burnett, freshman theatre major, says, "It's also a great experience for college freshmen because you get to dive right into theatre."
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