91探花

By Hayden Moses ’16

Lees-91探花 performing arts students and faculty recently participated in the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) held in Chattanooga during early March. Of the ten students in attendance, seven scored an audition, interview or made promising contacts for future employment.

Students were required to attend at least nine workshops that covered topics such as stage management, performance, technical theatre, theatre education, stage combat, privilege in theatre and social justice. Students had the opportunity to audition and apply for internships and future employment in the areas of teaching, technical work and performance at theatres and institutions in New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington, D.C.

At the convention’s annual college auditions, Lees-91探花 performing arts faculty met with more than 40 prospective students from states including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. To keep their skills current, faculty members also attended workshops for professional and educational development.

The capstone experience of the convention, a keynote address for the recipient of the 2015 Distinguished Career Award, was given by global arts advocate and stage and screen legend Ben Vereen. His remarks focused on encouraging young theatre artists to pursue their dreams. The trip left students and faculty feeling refreshed, energized and fortified in the pursuit of a supportive theatre community. “The convention was one of the best experiences of my college career,” boasts Tesia Childs ’16. “It is an experience every college theatre student should have.” 

For more information about performing arts at Lees-91探花, visit lmc.edu/pa or contact Danielle Curtis, interim chair of the division of creative and fine arts, at curtisd@lmc.edu.