Theatre Arts Undergrads Present at Research Conference
Two TA students were selected to present their theatre design work at the recent VT Undergraduate Research Conference sponsored by the Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence. Seniors Derek Miller and Adam Ressa, a double major with Engineering, shared their set work for Eurydice and Abingdon Square in Squires on April 1.
M.F.A. Student Megan Carney Wins Award and Presents at Two Conferences
Megan Carney, a 3rd-year M.F.A. candidate in Directing & Public Dialogue, received the Advancing Women Award in the fall through the Women's Center at Virginia Tech. In March, 2008, she was an invited panelist and presenter with her paper, "Presenting Self and Other with Space for Public Dialogue," at Columbia University (NY) for the Oral History of the Mid-Atlantic Region Conference. That same month, another paper, "[classified]: Stories That Catalyze Dialogue About Diversity," co-written with Laura Agnich, Kimberly Baker, and Shannon Turner (TA '07) was accepted for presentation and publication at the Community Arts Convening & Research Project at the Maryland Institute College of Arts in Baltimore.
Theatre Arts Professor Gains Strong N.Y. Times Reviews for Latest Production
Theatre Arts faculty member Bob McGrath recently returned from directing a new work at the Vineyard Theater in New York City. The Slug Bearers of Kayrol Island received positive reviews in The New York Times, where reviewer Ben Brantley called it "an answered prayer for anyone who has dreamed of living inside a graphic novel." Read the review. . .
Current Faculty and Theatre Arts Alumnus Collaborate on Staging of a New Work Co-Produced by The Gravity Project of Juniata College and People's Light Theatre Company
Theatre Arts faculty Randy Ward
and John Ambrosone, along with undergraduate student Derek Miller, traveled to Pennsylvania to design scenery and lighting for a production directed by Theatre Arts alumnus Andy Besler, head of theatre at Juinata College and artistic director of The Gravity Project. Crispin: The Cross of Lead, based on the novel by Avi and adapted for stage by Russell Davis, was developed at Juniata and had a workshop production there in October. In January, the show was produced at People's Light Theatre Company of Malvern, PA, for a four-week run with a full professional company of actors. Miller, a senior in Theatre Arts, served as Assistant Lighting Designer for the project.
Shakespeare Vocal Coach and Scholar Andrew Wade Visits Classes
Former Head of Voice at the Royal Shakespeare Company in England Andrew Wade returns to campus to provide workshops to Theatre Arts students Thursday and Friday, Nov. 15-16. The two afternoon workshops include responding to prepared Shakespeare monologues and a more general one on vocal explorations of texts. Limited slots are available and sign up sheets are posted on the call board in PAB. Wade has been responsible for overseeing all the voice work for the Royal Shakespeare Company and has traveled widely lecturing, leading master classes and workshops, and coaching theatre companies and actors throughout the world. He is an acknowledged master on the subject of voice and text and has consulted for major films such as "Shakespeare in Love."
Actors Theatre of Louisville Apprentice and Internship Information Presented
The Director of the Apprentice and Internship Program at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Will MacAdams, will visit the department Nov. 15 for an informal session to learn about off-campus training opportunities.
Theatre Arts Instructor in Cast of New Jodie Foster Movie
Michael Anthony Williams, visiting instructor, is in the cast of The Brave One. The film is scheduled for general release Sept. 14. Read the
release
and more about Williams in a local newspaper article.
Department Welcomes Three New Faculty Members This Fall
The Theatre Arts faculty-staff roster will increase by three this fall with the addition of these new faculty members. Together, they bring an exciting range of skills and experience to enhance our production and training programs. For contact information, see the Faculty/Staff listing of this section.
- BOB MCGRATH - director and dramaturg - is co-founder and Artistic Director of Ridge Theater in New York City. He has directed theatre and opera at major venues throughout the U.S. and is the recipient of three Obie Awards for his epic visual and aural works. He will teach directing and script analysis.
- CARA RAWLINGS - movement, acting - received her terminal degree from VCU and has professional experience as a director, choreographer, and performer. She is a certified fight choreographer and most recently has been teaching at Miami University in Florida. This fall she will teach acting and movement in the performance classes.
- MICHAEL ANTHONY WILLIAMS - actor - was a guest artist at Virginia Tech last spring and performed the role of Bynum in Joe Turner's Come and Gone. He returns this fall to teach Intro to Acting and advanced scene study, bringing with him extensive experience in regional theatre, film, and television.