JULY / AUGUST 2021
Bimonthly Newsletter of Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.
CONTENTS SETC Events Page 1
Professionals Pages 2 - 6
Community Theatre Page 7
Theatre for Youth Page 8
Secondary Schools Page 9
Colleges/Universities Page 10
Theatre Teaching Collaborative Page 11
Outdoor Theatre Page 12
Theatre Symposium Page 13
Calendar Page 14
Columns Pages 15 - 18
Miscellaneous News Page 19
Don’t Miss SETC’s Upcoming Events VIRTUAL FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS August 2021, Video Auditions Registration: Open now See Page 2 for more information. To register: www.setc.org/fall-professional
VIRTUAL SCREENING AUDITIONS FOR SETC SPRING PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS September - December 2021, Video Auditions Registration: Opens Sept. 14 See Page 6 for more information. Details: www.setc.org/setc-screenings
VIRTUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2021, Virtual Event Registration: Opens Aug. 2 See Page 12 for story on conference. Details: www.outdoor-theatre.org/conference
LiNK GRADUATE SCHOOL AUDITIONS/ INTERVIEWS: Acting, Directing, Management, Design & Technology Dec. 1 - 3, 2021, Virtual Event Registration: Opens Sept. 7 Details: www.setc.org/link
NEWS SUBMISSIONS Deanna Thompson, Editor (she/her) deanna@setc.org
Southeastern Theatre Conference, Inc.
www.setc.org
More info: www.setc.org
FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS
GET YOUR
ON!
Fall Professional Auditions Will Be Virtual Again in 2021 While masks are coming off and social distancing is becoming a thing of the past, the theatre industry is moving forward with pandemic-related issues in tow, such as lack of funds … and in the specific instance of Fall Professional Auditions, lack of travel funds.
All auditionees are asked to submit: 4 Contact information. 4 Two professional references – name, phone, e-mail. 4 60-second audition video – acting only, singing only, or acting & singing. 4 Headshot & resume. Optional additional submissions: 4 Additional 60-second audition video – an opportunity to show more of your talent. 4 3-minute dance video.
t
4 60-second movement video - showing you’re not a dancer, but can move.
View SETC video audition tips here.
SETC recently surveyed its professional companies that are the traditional participants in the Fall Professional Auditions and, while all would like to be in-person, they have expressed that a virtual format would be better for them at this time due to lack of funds for travel. SETC’s Fall Professional Auditions will again be held virtually at the end of August. We continue to make changes to our processes and adapt to the current circumstances, so please carefully review all information below and at left. For more information or to register for Fall Auditions, click here.
SETC Fall Professional Auditions Timeline June 21*
Registration Opened for Professional Companies
June 28
Registration Opened for Auditionees
August 1, 11:59 p.m.
Early Bird Registration ($35) for Auditionees ends
August 12, 11:59 p.m. Regular ($45) and ALL Registration for Auditionees ends August 13 – 25
Audition Screening
August 27
Auditionees notified of Pass or No Pass (No Refunds)
August 30 Audition Galleries passed on to Professional Companies 4 “Screening” is a process where all videos are reviewed by members of the SETC Professional Division and deemed (or not) of suitable talent to be passed on to the professional companies who trust SETC to provide them with the best, streamlined talent offering. 4 Video auditions screened as Pass will be shared with the registered professional companies. 4 Keeping in line with all other SETC auditions, there will be no refunds for those who do not pass screening. *Registration and audition galleries will be available to professional compa- nies indefinitely as the industry re-emerges and the need is meaningful.
More info: www.setc.org/fall-professional www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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PROFESSIONAL COMPANY SPOTLIGHT
Hiring through SETC:
Mountain Movers Theatre Company ‘SETC is for our theatre the mecca of the theatre industry. It is the meeting place of all paths of theatre – from students to professionals, from early career to seasoned. It is a place to know and get to know. The influence of SETC is beyond measure to the success of our endeavors at MOMO Theatre.’
- Kim Willard, Artistic Director
Jay Rosen, Melissa Rosenberger, Ruben Del Valle and Hannah Zilber appear in Mountain Movers Theatre Company’s production of Pump Boys and Dinettes in June 2021.
How are you handling COVID safety? Kentucky is fully reopened as of June 15. We are aggressively cleaning and sanitizing. All of our staff, crew and actors are fully vaccinated and have provided proof. Our audiences are advised to mask if they have not been vaccinated. The state and local governments do not require us to distance or ask for proof of vaccination from the audience.
SETC recently caught up with Kim Willard (she/her), artistic director of Mountain Movers Theatre Company in Louisa, KY, which is presenting its inaugural professional season this summer. Below are excerpts from the interview.
Tell us a little about your theatre. Mountain Movers Theatre Company (MOMO Theatre) was founded in 2019 at The Garden Theatre in Louisa, KY, a town of 2,700 people. Our slogan is “sharing strength by sharing stories.” We endeavor to create memorable works of storytelling that are accessible and meaningful to all.
What type of shows are you mainly known for? We produce many kinds of shows. In addition to our professional theatre series, we present auditioned youth and community theatre shows, summer kid camps where campers learn and perform a musical in one-and-a-half weeks, and we run ARC (Addiction Recovery Care) creative programming where clients in recovery learn theatre skills and create original theatre pieces.
What kind of theatre/stage do you have? We present our shows in a converted 1940s movie house with approximately 200 seats of reconfigurable seating. We most often do proscenium shows.
You hired 15 people at the 2021 SETC Virtual Spring Professional Auditions and Theatre Job Fair. For what types of positions? We hired both actors and technicians for our inaugural professional season this summer. Two technicians and one actor we hired through SETC are working in our first professional show, Pump Boys and Dinettes. The rest of our SETC hires just arrived this weekend for Bright Star, our second show.
Do you plan to attend SETC Fall Professional Auditions? If so, what types of positions do you expect to hire for? We need actors for our spring 2022 professional shows, and we are looking to hire for some year-round technical positions, including costumes, a technical director and a sound designer/engineer.
More info: mtnmoverstheatre.com www.setc.org
July / August 2021
3
PROFESSIONAL COMPANY NEWS
Professional Companies Benefit from SETC Grants Four theatres that received staffing development matching grants from SETC in 2021 share below how the grants have made a difference. These grants provide SETC member non-academic professional theatres with money to assist in the hiring of staff to support existing programs or develop new ones. CRANE RIVER THEATER, Kearney, NE Crane River Theater used its staffing grant to help fund Rebekah Petersen’s role as an actress/education assistant for productions of All Night Strut, Cinderella and Mamma Mia. “As a growing artist, it is important to surround myself with various talents so I can learn from them, and my experience with Crane River Theater has done just that,” Petersen said. “They have given me the opportunity to work with a group of talented people from all around the nation and grow from their knowledge. I am so thankful to be a part of such a special theater.”
Scene from Crane River Theater’s Hairspray
FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE, Sarasota, FL Florida Studio Theatre (FST) used its grant “to support hiring an acting apprentice who is performing this summer in On the Road Again, a free family-friendly musical revue touring Sarasota County libraries and parks. Our Professional Training Program provides young artists the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment. Acting Apprentice Eddie Weaver of Atlanta, GA, (at right in photo) is a recent graduate of Scene from Florida Studio Theatre’s On the Road Columbus State University with a degree in theatre (with a concentration on performance and directing). FST is thrilled to be working and creating with Eddie as we introduce the magic of live theatre to families in new ways by bringing children’s theatre directly out into our community.” NATIONAL WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL, Raleigh, NC The National Women’s Theatre Festival (NWTF) used its grant to hire a new graduate and early career professional, Chelsea Russell (right), for this summer’s WTFCON21 as a conference manager. “NWTF found me at the perfect time in my young career,” Russell said. “The company has placed so much trust in me, and I am gaining invaluable hands-on experience. Our company continues to push the boundaries of creativity in the theatre and what it means to be an artist today, providing stability and income for artists and administrators across the country when we need it most.” OLNEY THEATRE CENTER FOR THE ARTS, Olney, MD Olney Theatre Center for the Arts (OTC) “thanks SETC for its support this year. Grant funds are enhancing OTC’s signature National Players touring program (left). In addition to advancing performance careers, National Players offers 10 early career theatre-makers training and hands-on experience in arts education, technical skills, and arts administration during a year-long tour that reaches audiences from the East Coast to the Rocky Mountains.” More info: click on the theatre names above www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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PROFESSIONAL THEATRE SERVICES
Elizabeth Theodora Is SETC’s New Professional Services Manager Congratulations to Elizabeth Theodora (she/her), who has a new role with SETC. On July 1, she became SETC’s professional services manager. In that position, she is responsible for managing SETC’s Professional Auditions and Theatre Job Fair and serving as a resource for, and working closely with, professional companies and artists. “I’m excited to take on this new role at SETC and be of service to the professional companies,” Theodora said. “I’m also keen to support the professionals and emerging professionals that are looking for work and resources.” Theodora joined SETC in fall 2019 as membership and technology manager.
Have a question or comment about SETC’s professional theatre services? Reach out to Elizabeth Theodora via elizabeth@setc.org
“She managed possibly the best, most efficient, no-wait convention registration in Louisville 2020,” said Susie Prueter, SETC’s executive director. “Since then, she has been instrumental in navigating the transition of our database and application system to Neon and OpenWater, completing the transition in record time and overhauling SETC’s registration system for 2021, which was a resounding success per post-convention surveys.” Using her expertise in technology, Theodora also paved the way in 2020 for virtual auditions and callbacks, so SETC could continue its services during the worst months of the pandemic.
Professional stage management experience Theodora trained as a stage manager at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, University of London, and has worked with some of the UK’s finest directors, including powerhouse Katie Mitchell. “Elizabeth will bring the care and detail of an experienced production stage manager to the service of our professional companies and auditionees,” Prueter said.
Commitment to equity and diversity initiatives As a member of SETC’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Task Force, Theodora brought to the table her own personal experience and an enduring commitment to creating many of SETC’s EDIA initiatives. She will play a pivotal role in making SETC’s auditions and job fair more inclusive and accessible. SETC recently assembled an Audition Task Force to continue examining the organization’s processes and to recommend improvements. “Elizabeth has been part of those meetings and has hit the ground running in contributing to those conversations and understanding the work to come,” Prueter said. More info: www.setc.org/central-office-staff www.setc.org
July / August 2021
5
PROFESSIONAL THEATRE NEWS
Post-Pandemic Hiring: Will Video Auditions End? Mark Catlett C H AI R, PR OFESSION A L TH E AT R E D IV ISIO N ( he/ hi m )
The most-asked question, coming out of COVID-19 restrictions and preparing for the theatre industry to come roaring back, is: “Are video auditions and Zoom callbacks over yet?” The short answer is: “No.” Though we look forward to a time when our bin of colorful masks will disappear and become time capsules in the attic, video auditions and submissions are not a pandemic-born industry standard, but instead a modern avenue to widen casting outreach and accessibility that just so happened to align perfectly with the COVID lockdowns and industry closures. Prior to COVID, the entertainment industry had already been moving slowly into a virtual world, particularly for hard-to-fill roles. But the pandemic pushed the industry fast-forward button into a full embrace of technology and thinking outside the traditional open call box. As we move out of the pandemic, actors should understand that video submissions and virtual callbacks will be as important and as frequent of an occurrence as putting on their jazz shoes and walking into an open call at 7 a.m. to sign up for a time slot with 800 of their new best friends. Along with the misconception that video submissions are COVID-related, there is also a misconception out there that a quality audition video means spending lots of money on a camera crew, studio rental and expensive recording equipment. This could not be further from the truth. A quality video audition can be crafted very inexpensively. Find a space with good lighting, free from clutter, with good sound quality. Your talent then takes it from there.
SETC Screening Auditions Will Be Virtual This Fall Here is an early glimpse of the schedule for the 2021 SETC Screening Auditions. These preliminary auditions, which will be held virtually, are for actors who wish to participate in the Spring Professional Auditions at the annual SETC Convention in March 2022. Screening Audition Registration Opens: Screening Audition Registration Closes: Submissions Adjudicated: Candidates Notified of Pass or No Pass: Early Bird Deadline, Convention Registration:
Sept. 14, 2021 Nov. 11, 2021 Nov. 12-Dec. 9, 2021 Dec. 20, 2021 Jan. 20, 2022
More info: www.setc.org/setc-screenings
Though live theatre professionals were once skeptical, it’s clear today that video auditions provide accessibility, opportunity, diversity and a low-cost way for actors to secure work. Instead of selecting the five auditions you can afford to travel to in any given season, you can open your horizons to work all over the world for very little cost. Embrace and solidify your unique and individual video submission process. Once you do, the doors of opportunity will fly open.
More info: www.setc.org/setc-screenings www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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COMMUNITY THEATRE NEWS
AACTFest 2021 Celebrates Theatre, Awards Honors to Three SETC Region Companies
Lynn Nelson CHAI R, C OM M U N ITY TH E AT R E D IV ISIO N ( she/ he r )
Community theatre has always taught its practitioners to be resourceful, to roll with the flow and to have FUN. That certainly held true when the American Association of Community Theatre held its biennial national festival virtually June 14 - June 20, 2021. SETC was extremely well represented, with three entries from our region in the national festival. Theatre companies from across the country were invited last year to submit applications and short filmed excerpts of their entries. A panel of adjudicators chose 12 shows to advance from a pool of more than 40 submissions. Companies from the SETC region that advanced to nationals were: u Theatre Tuscaloosa, from Tuscaloosa, AL, which presented Love and Cheese Toast by Cooper Shattuck. Cast members Layla Kahn-Hickman and Norquina Rieves were recognized with Outstanding Achievement in Acting: Featured Role awards. u South City Theatre, from Pelham, AL, which presented Collected Stories by Donald Margulies. Their set designer Daniel Strickland was recognized for Special Achievement in Set Design. u Artists Collaborative Theatre, from Elk Horn City, KY, which presented Blood Song: The Story of the Hatfields and the McCoys by Chelsea Marcantel. Samantha Johnson received an Outstanding Achievement in Stage Combat award for her direction of the stage fights. And, if watching 12 excellent plays weren’t enough, festival participants were also treated to keynote addresses from theatrical luminaries including: Jeff Calhoun, protégé of Tommy Tune and award-winning director, choreographer, producer and dancer; SETC’s own Kristofer Geddie, general manager and director of diversity at Venice (FL) Theatre; John Prignano, COO and director of education and development at Music Theatre International (MTI); Chilina Kennedy, best known for her portrayal of Carole King in the Broadway production of Beautiful; and Frank Galati, award-winning director, writer and actor, longtime member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and a beloved professor of theatre at Northwestern University for many years. Still not enough? On top of everything else, there were social hours, trivia contests (with guest star Swoosie Kurtz!) and multiple workshops on topical issues. This jam-packed week certainly taught us much and restored our aching, theatre-hungry hearts. And we had FUN doing it! More info: aact.org/aactfest-2021
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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THEATRE FOR YOUTH NEWS
Engaging our Communities Post-Pandemic As we emerge from the shutdowns and seclusion of the pandemic, those of us who teach and practice in Theatre for Youth are faced with rebuilding our audience base, encouraging participation in educational activities and workshops, and validating the value of engagement with the performing arts. Laura S. Byland CHAI R, T HEAT R E FO R Y O U T H D IV ISION ( she/ he r )
Episodes of Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s The HI Way have covered topics ranging from social distancing to antiAsian hate.
We are also presented with an opportunity to reimagine some of our efforts for tenure and promotion after seeing the potential for success in some of the alternative methods we’ve used to engage our communities during the pandemic. Both academics and professionals benefit from developing (or expanding) a focused program of community engagement. Engaging our communities contributes to the public good, and for the academic, can yield artifacts of value in the assessment of formative and summative activities. One example of forward thinking in community engagement comes from the Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY), whose mission is to “inspire our communities to dream and dare.” They do this through traditional professional youth theatre offerings and drama education. But HTY has taken their mission to another level with their Emmy Award-winning television show The HI Way. The show brings live theatre and digital media together in an exciting new form of children’s television programming: “Part variety show, part sketch comedy, filled with music, action and animation, The HI Way holds a Jr. and the puppet Keoki in an episode of The HI Way. little something for everyone.” Eric Johnson (he/him), artistic director of HTY, says that thinking digitally during the pandemic has unlocked new possibilities for connection: “I think this moment is going to allow the field to grow wider to inclusion of many more voices and stories that have been traditionally left out, but also may push our theatrical work to go deeper, grounding our theatrical work in the rich geographies, cultures and communities where we live.” HTY envisions its show “serving as a bridge to connect young people with important partners, stories and issues facing their generation . . . and to inspire not only our young people but our entire community.” This is just one example of using alternative approaches to tell shared stories, engage local culture and develop connections that strengthen our communities. If you’ve developed a new way of engaging your community, we’d love to hear about it! Please feel free to email me at lbyland@samford.edu. More info: www.htyweb.org
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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SECONDARY SCHOOL THEATRE NEWS
Teachers Share Their Pandemic Journeys If a colleague had said to you in February 2020 that you needed to reorganize all of your lesson plans, your teaching techniques, and your rehearsals and performances to take place only on a computer, AND you would not be seeing your students face-to-face for months, or even a whole year ... what would have been your response? A big, hearty laugh? An “Oh, cut it out,” as you proceeded down the hall?
Elaine Malone CH AI R , SEC ON D A RY SCH O O L T HEAT R E D IV ISIO N ( she/ he r )
Resources for teachers: Click on Digital Learning Resources on the Kennedy Center website for lessons, performance guides, how-tos and more. PBS offers a variety of theatre lesson plans, videos and interactive activities here. The Creative Drama website offers a wide range of information, games, podcasts and more for theatre teachers.
How in the world do you teach acting, lighting design, dance steps, painting and songs only on a computer? I asked several of my theatre teacher colleagues to share their experiences over the last 15 months. Robert Kallos (he/him), technical director and auditorium manager at The Hockaday School, Dallas, TX: “I’ve been told that when you lose a body part, you can still feel that missing part. Teaching from home was like losing a body part. The students – I could see them and talk to them, but I could not sense them. We were all ghosts of the screen. Watching my after-school crew engage with each other – a video lasagna of images – I felt like an educational voyeur. I reimagined my online classes as a laboratory – the work as experiments – and continued this idea when we returned to the classroom (six feet apart.)” Amie Kisling (she/her), theatre teacher and director at the School for the Creative Arts at Lafayette High School, Lexington, KY: “As reflective theatre artists what did we learn from 15 months of pandemic theatre? The next show is never guaranteed, theatre artists are incredibly creative and resilient, sometimes restrictions can provide incredible opportunities that we never would have otherwise seen, we can rise to meet challenges, and we can do hard things. This year allowed my students to devise, create and fight for the art that we love with pure creativity. All while stopping every 30 minutes for hand sanitizer.” Chris Veneris (he/him), theatre teacher at Southeast Guilford School, Greensboro, NC: “Teaching virtually, then hybrid was not easy, but ultimately teachers find a way to make any situation work. Since the shutdown of schools, I have found that while the content I teach matters, helping students with social-emotional learning means more. An “A” on a project, performance or test means nothing compared to a student’s well-being. Next year, live theatre returns, but ultimately I just want to see students find their passion and know we are all in this together.” In this harrowing year, every theatre teacher deserves appreciation for demonstrating visionary strength, developing imaginative and productive ideas, and inspiring their students to continue to be creative, life-long learners. More info: see links above at left
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY THEATRE NEWS
Acting Classes Need to Include Best Practices for Video Auditioning “… something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is. Do you, Mr. Jones?” - Bob Dylan, Ballad of a Thin Man
Kevin P. Kern C HAIR, CO L L EG E A N D UNIVE R SIT Y T HEAT R E D IV ISIO N ( he/ hi m )
As those of us who teach theatre slowly move out of the pandemic and focus on a new school year, we can’t help but wonder what things will return “back to normal” and which things will be irrevocably changed. It’s not hard to predict that the process of auditioning is going to look a lot different. SETC is already making changes. This fall, the state screening auditions will be virtual, which can be a boon to students who in the past bore the high cost of travel just for a preliminary audition. As auditions move to a video format, actor training programs across the country need to prepare for educating our students. Some theatre educators, like Laura Kirk (she/her), an assistant teaching professor at Kansas University, were prescient. Kirk has been teaching how to “self-tape” in her Audition Techniques class for several years, so this widespread move to virtual auditioning didn’t cause much of a disruption in her coursework. “I focus on the basics,” noted Kirk, also a producer and actress. “Good lighting, good sound, and getting the eye line correct.” This method of auditioning will need to be included in traditional theatre coursework because, as Kirk cautions, “Self-taped auditions are here to stay.” Mark Catlett (he/him), talent casting director for Disney Live Entertainment, is likewise convinced that video auditions will not only continue, but proliferate. “Creating a highquality video audition will be crucial to secure job opportunities in the post-COVID world,” Catlett said, “just as it was during COVID restrictions.” He also notes: “Creating a video audition does not have to cost a lot of money.” (See more on video auditions in his column, Page 6.)
Resources for Educators Looking for information on best video auditioning techniques to include in your classes? u In July 2020, the Screen Actors Guild created a primer on self-taping that can be viewed here on YouTube. The hour-long video is well worth the time and contains helpful information for performers and teachers. u Actors’ Equity also has published a helpful article that can be accessed by members and nonmembers here. As we enter a challenging new semester, let us remain mindful of our responsibility to keep current with our information, so that we can provide our students with the most up-to-date tools they need for success. More info: see links above www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Theatre Teaching Collaborative Presents New Programs This Month SETC’s Theatre Teaching Collaborative (TTC), a virtual initiative that brings faculty together via webinars to learn, help one another and promote theatre, is back with new programs in July 2021. Learn more and sign up for these webinars, which are free to SETC members and $10 for nonmembers, here. Wednesday, July 14, Noon - 1 p.m. Video Audition Submission Preparation Join presenters Marina Hunley-Graham (far left), artistic director of Unto These Hills, and Trent Blanton (left), associate professor of theatre at Rider University, as they offer tips on creating a video audition for colleges, universities and training programs and discuss how videos are becoming the industry standard.
Visit the SETC Video Library for more great programs Did you miss the July 7 TTC webinar “Decolonizing your Syllabi” or any of our previous SETC@ Home or TTC webinars? SETC members have access to the recordings of these events and more by visiting the SETC Video Library here and logging into their SETC account.
Wednesday, July 21, Noon - 1 p.m. Environmental Responsibility View a discussion on environmental responsibility, greening your practice, and sourcing responsibly and sustainably with (left to right) Molly Braverman from the Broadway Green Alliance; Carrie Ferguson-Bellew, secondary school teacher and artist; Szu-Feng Chen, costume designer; and Ian Garrett, designer, producer and educator. Discover tips for keeping materials out of landfills with assignments that will spark creative, critical thinking. Moderated by Shannon Robert. Wednesday, July 28, Noon - 2:30 p.m. Broadway DNA The creators/directors of Broadway DNA, Abra and Chip Leonard (right), invite you to view this informative new documentary on the impact of arts education and career paths in the theatre. A live discussion with the filmmakers, artists and instructors featured in the film will follow the screening. This session will be meaningful for emerging artists, teachers/faculty and parents. More info: www.setc.org/ttc
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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OUTDOOR THEATRE
Join Us Virtually for the 58th National Conference on Outdoor Theatre The 2021 National Conference on Outdoor Theatre will be held virtually Sept. 30 - Oct. 1. Due to theatres’ continued recovery from the pandemic, the conference will be presented online at a reduced cost to attendees. Join the national outdoor theatre community for two days of live presentations with Q&A opportunities, rich conversations, practical solutions for relevant challenges, and virtual happy hours.
Nominations Sought for SETC Leaders Nominations are being accepted for 2022-2023 SETC officers and Nominations Committee members who will uphold SETC’s mission and values. Visit www.setc.org/ leadership/boardof-directors to meet current leaders of the organization. To nominate a leader, complete the form online here by July 30.
NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE SEPT. 30 - OCT. 1, 2021
Registration opens: Aug. 2 Registration closes: Sept. 27
HAVE A TOPIC YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? Last year’s conference programming centered on subjects such as pandemic proofing, equity and inclusion, and creative solutions for presenting work. Although those subjects remain vitally important, we are looking for new strategies, innovative ideas, and inspiring speakers for our 2021 Virtual National Conference on Outdoor Theatre. Do you have a topic idea – perhaps an example of a successful approach to theatrical presentation or audience engagement for outdoor theatres – that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you. Contact Bradley Branham, SETC’s program manager, at bradley@setc.org with your ideas.
MORE INFORMATION Registration opens Aug. 2. Keep an eye out for a detailed schedule, as well as additional registration information, at outdoor-theatre.org/conference.
Summer and Outdoor Theatre Auditions Jan. 14 - 15, 2022
Location: In-Person in Greensboro, NC Venue: TBD Each January, SETC Outdoor Theatre hosts auditions for summer and outdoor theatres looking to cast acting, singing, dancing and stage combat positions. Interviews are also available for technical positions and internship opportunities. Registration Opens: Dec. 6, 2021 at Noon ET Registration Closes: Jan. 6, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET (or when all slots are filled) Auditionee Registration Fee: $55 For more information, visit outdoor-theatre.org/auditions
More info: outdoor-theatre.org/conference www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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THEATRE SYMPOSIUM
ExCom Report by Maegan McNerney Azar SETC President
In an SETC Executive Committee meeting on May 6 and 16, 2021: • Cultural Diversity Committee was moved from a Type A Services Committee to a Type C Ongoing Project Committee and will sit on the Equity & Inclusion Council. • Publications Committee was moved from the Services Council to the Administration Council. • Bylaw IX was revised to replace “Endowment Fund” with “Development.” • The fiscal year 2022 budget was approved by the full Board of Directors in special session.
2022-2024 Editor Sought for SETC’s Theatre Symposium Theatre Symposium: A Journal of the Southeastern Theatre Conference seeks to identify its next editor, whose tenure would begin during 2022 with the March SETC Convention. 4 Editors for Theatre Symposium are appointed for two-year terms, during which the editor completes two cycles of the journal, planning two April events and two publications, working with the Editorial Board and the University of Alabama Press. 4 Editorship for the journal is a volunteer position. 4 Editors may also choose to appoint an assistant editor to assist in planning the yearly event and editing the journal.
In a special session of the SETC Executive Committee on June 4, 2021:
4 The journal seeks candidates committed to broad understandings of scholarship and to aligning the journal with SETC’s ongoing commitments to equity and social justice.
•
How to apply
An organization-wide EDIA Grievance/ Complaint Reporting Process was approved.
Interested parties should submit a current CV and cover letter to Becky Becker, chair of the Theatre Symposium Steering Committee, at becker1@clemson.edu. Deadline for application is Sept. 1, 2021.
Full minutes available at www.setc.org/leadership/minutes-archives
It’s Time to Plan Your Workshop Proposals for the 2022 SETC Convention SETC is excited to enrich its program offerings for our next convention in Memphis, TN. For 2022, we are seeking innovative programming that provides practical development for emerging and seasoned professionals alike. For more information, email Bradley Branham, program manager, at bradley@setc.org. Or visit the workshop proposal page here. 7-8-2021
9-9-2021 10-12-2021 11-1-2021
OPENING: Noon ET, Workshop Proposal Submissions
DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. ET, Workshop Proposal Submissions
OPENING: Noon ET, Registration for 2022 Convention
NOTIFY BY THIS DATE: Workshop Proposals Accepted/ Declined
1-20-2022
3-9-2022
DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. ET, Convention Registration for Presenters/ Co-Presenters; Also, Early-Bird Deadline for All Attendees
CONVENTION: 2022 SETC Convention Begins
More info: www.setc.org/theatre-symposium www.setc.org
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CALENDAR
2021-2022 SETC Calendar FALL EVENTS
SPRING EVENTS
VIRTUAL FALL ADVISORY COUNCIL/COMMITTEE MEETINGS * Aug. 1 - 12, 2021 (to be scheduled by officers and chairs) VIRTUAL FALL BOARD MEETING * Aug. 14, 2021, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET * All meetings (except Nominations Committee) are open to members. Email bradley@setc.org for schedule and Zoom links.
VIRTUAL FALL PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS August 2021 Candidate Early Bird Registration Deadline: Aug. 1 Candidate Regular Registration Deadline: Aug. 12 Professional Company Registration: Open Now Auditions Screened: Aug. 13 - 25 Auditionees Notified, Pass or No Pass: Aug. 27 Auditionee Galleries Sent to Companies: Aug. 30
VIRTUAL NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OUTDOOR THEATRE Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2021 Registration: Aug. 2 - Sept. 27
VIRTUAL SCREENING AUDITIONS FOR SETC SPRING PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS September - December 2021 Registration: Sept. 14 - Nov. 11 Submissions Screened: Nov. 12 - Dec. 9 Candidates Notified, Pass or No Pass: Dec. 20 Convention Registration Early Deadline: Jan. 20
VIRTUAL LiNK: YOUR CONNECTION TO ADVANCED THEATRE DEGREES Dec. 1 - 3, 2021 Recruiter and Student Registration: Sept. 7 - Nov. 11 Early Bird Registration Deadline: Oct. 11 Submissions Sent to Recruiters: Nov. 15, 2021
WINTER EVENTS
REGISTRATION Convention Registration: Opens Oct. 12 Early-Bird Convention Registration Deadline: Jan. 20 Regular Registration Deadline: Feb. 25 (can register on-site beyond this date)
Deadline for All Convention Refunds: Jan. 20 WORKSHOPS Workshop Proposal Applications: Open Now - Sept. 9
Presenters Notified (Accept or Decline): by Nov. 1 FESTIVALS Fringe Festival Applications: Aug. 1 - Sept. 15 Theatre for Youth Festival Applications: Open Now - Sept. 15 Ten-Minute Play Festival Applications: Oct. 12 - Feb. 25 PROFESSIONAL AUDITIONS & THEATRE JOB FAIR Convention Registration Deadline for Auditionees Who Passed Screenings: Jan 20 Candidate Registration for Theatre Job Fair: Oct. 12 - March 12
Hiring Company Registration for Professional Auditions and Theatre Job Fair: Oct. 12 - Jan. 20 (SETC will assist on case-bycase basis after Jan. 20)
SCHOOL AUDITIONS Undergraduate and Graduate Auditions & Interviews Registration: Oct. 12 - Feb. 17 OTHER EVENTS Design Competition Registration: Oct. 12 - Feb. 10 Teachers Institute Registration: Oct. 12 - Feb. 10 Exhibitor Registration: Oct. 12 - Jan. 20
THEATRE SYMPOSIUM Date and Location TBA Information on location and schedule will be posted at www.setc.org/theatre-symposium-publication
EXCOM MEETING May 2022, Date and Location TBA
EXCOM MEETING January 2022, Date and Location TBA IN-PERSON SUMMER AND OUTDOOR THEATRE AUDITIONS (virtual option available) Jan. 14 - 15, 2022, Greensboro, NC Candidate Registration:
73RD ANNUAL SETC CONVENTION March 9 - 13, 2022, Memphis, TN
Dec. 6, 2021 - Jan. 6, 2022 (or until all slots are filled)
NOTE: All registrations open at Noon ET and close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the dates indicated. All registrations will close March 3 - 7 for SETC internal purposes and organization.
Recruiter Registration:
Nov. 22, 2021 - Jan. 6, 2022
More info: www.setc.org www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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PERSPECTIVES
It’s Time for Sustainable Change As we shed our masks and produce art in the new normal, we must remain engaged and committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in all our work.
Arts organizations of all sizes have embarked on the foundational work of forging inclusive and sustainable ways of creating and educating. Larger organizations can pay consultants, hire new diversity officers and create new programs. Meanwhile, smaller organization staff must dig into EDIA while performing our other work obligations. Here are a few key areas to emphasize as we move into action.
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“Perspectives” is an SETC News column where guest contributors are invited to share their diverse voices.
The work is rewarding, difficult, time-consuming and, for some of us, an emotional roller coaster of suppressed memories. It is time to cultivate and activate true change that serves our communities and steers our arts organizations away from exclusionary practices.
Leadership: Organizational leadership must commit to modeling EDIA expectations. Listening, sharing and providing a range of personalized resources and foundational terminology is crucial to successful onboarding.
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Leticia M. Delgado is a Chicana costume designer, author and educator. The co-author of The Art and Practice of Costume Design (Routledge, 2017), Delgado is Ballet Lubbock’s costume designer/wardrobe coordinator and serves on their DEI committee. She was a member of the artEquity inaugural BIPOC Leadership Circle cohort in 2020.
Community Building: Transparent and sincere communication builds stronger connections with audiences, students and the community. Take your art to the people and ask them what they need. Resist fitting everyone into pre-existing “outreach” programming.
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(she/ her )
The zoom-verse and online events that have been central to our existence for the last year and a half are waning. Now is the ideal moment for enacting all the ideas we have put to paper and on our websites. We have been in listening groups, working groups and training seminars. We have rewritten mission statements, disseminated climate surveys and assessed how we educate.
Timelines and Objectives: Collaborate and create EDIA-centered goals and an action timeline. Remember, small gains are still forward motion. Some areas of work will require more time, self-reflection and a measured slow scholarship approach. Utilize collaborative documents that allow everyone to work together at their own pace between regularly scheduled meetings.
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LETICIA M. DELGADO
Workplace Wellness: Centering self-care prepares us to be present, active listeners, to embrace differences and to platform diverse voices. Staff should schedule an hour a week to refuel at work. Exercise, stretching, hydration, meditation and journaling are just a few ways to replenish.
More info: www.setc.org/edia-resources www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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COVID-19 SAFETY
SETC Partners with Arts & Science to Offer Discounted COVID Safety Training to Members
Kris Rau McIntyre VP, AD MIN IST R AT ION (she/ her )
SETC Members Receive a
SETC members who register by Aug. 31 will receive a 10% discount off the $45 regular price for Arts & Science classes. Members should look for a June 23 email from SETC with a discount code, which you will enter at registration for your Arts & Science class. Can’t find the email with your code? Email info@setc.org and, upon verification of your membership, we will provide you with the code. To register or obtain more information on the course offerings, please click here.
Support. We could all use a bit more of that these days, couldn’t we? It is of utmost priority for us right now to find ways to support one another, not only out of the trials of the past year, but into the future of what artistry in theatre will now be. One of the greatest concerns that all theatre managers, administrators and educators are facing currently is how to safely bring back their casts and crew, as well as audiences, and avoid any further disruptions to their production seasons. We at SETC are dedicated to supporting our members by finding resources to aid them in overcoming these challenges, and are endorsing a series of training and certification programs offered by Arts & Science, which have additionally been approved by Actors’ Equity Association and USITT. Arts & Science provides multiple two-hour COVID safety training sessions, developed in partnership with medical professionals and led by theatre producer/director/stage manager Lauren Class Schneider and Dr. Larry Kaskel, as well as other theatre industry professionals. Of particular relevance to our constituents are their Theatre Production course, which is “intended for stage managers, production managers, company managers, performers, producers, general managers, directors, choreographers, designers, technicians and other professionals ‘upstage of the proscenium,’” and the session on Patron Safety, in which the main focus is COVID safety for the patrons and all front-of-house staff who provide services to audience members. Topics in the Theatre Production seminar include: • Auditions • First Rehearsal • The Rehearsal Room • Load-in
• Tech Rehearsals • Backstage • Dressing Rooms • Onstage
Topics in the Patron & Guest Safety seminar include: • Prepping for the Guest Experience • Protocols for Staff • Audience Arrival • Ticket Retrieval • Concessions
• Coat Check • Seating • Intermission • Exiting the Theatre
Individuals who show command of the material will be awarded a certificate of completion as a COVID Compliance Officer.
More info: www.artsnscience.com www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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RETURN TO THE THEATRE
Be Kind as We Reopen
Maegan McNerney Azar PR ESID ENT (she/ her )
Some additional viewpoints on reopening: “What Theatre Do We Want to Return to?” “Devising Our Future” series story featuring playwrights Mike Lew and Rehana Lew Mirza, HowlRound, May 27, 2021 “Returning to Theatre with Enthusiastic Consent” - by Andrew Pearson, HowlRound, May 11, 2021 “What We Talk About When We Talk About Reopening” - by Rob Weinert-Kendt, American Theatre, Feb. 17, 2021
I’m thrilled at the chance to see live in-person theatre right now – I’m fully vaxxed and ready to go. The country started opening doors, dropping mask mandates, and tossing capacity limits aside so fast that it gave me whiplash. But there is a lot that is still uncertain for many people in the U.S., and the world is still not out of the pandemic. So … be kind as we begin to reopen. There are a lot of folks who aren’t ready yet. Some of us waited the recommended 10-14 days after our second shot, and we started having coffee dates, hitting the movie theatres, and going straight to the buffet. Some of us are taking it more slowly – treading carefully, asking a lot of questions, and broadening our bubbles in increments. And some of us still cannot get vaccinated, or have someone at home who isn’t able to for any number of reasons. Not everyone who isn’t vaccinated got there by choice, and I think that is important for us to remember as theatre artists because we’re rushing to make a lot of decisions that might not need rushing.
Remember those who toiled during the height of the pandemic While the return of summer outdoor theatre has brought me great joy and I am so looking forward to professional theatres producing again this fall, I’m also sensitive to the fact that a lot of people worked all year to be sure that theatre wasn’t gone completely last year. My university, like many others, produced six shows this last season (two outdoors, three virtual, and one distanced indoors). And many more theatres were doing virtual or outdoor content all year. Let’s not forget the work that was done last year, because it showed the creative fortitude of our industry. And let’s be sensitive to our performers, designers, directors, and audience members who might be taking it slow over the next few months.
A kinder theatre awaits us I think the biggest kindness we can do for ourselves is to take the lessons we learned from the last year and build upon them. People are begging for a kinder return to theatre – no more 10 out of 12s, more parent-friendly work environments, anti-racism lessons that need acting upon. Let’s not forget those things as we dart to the next opening night. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other. We’re all still a little fragile … and that’s okay.
More info: see links above at left www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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IN-PERSON 2022 SETC CONVENTION
Building a Slow Momentum to Memphis and Beyond Susie Prueter EX E CUTIV E D IR EC T O R (she/ her )
Thanks to Contributors We send our thanks to the following individuals for contributions made to SETC since May 5, 2021: Don Amburgey Danette Baker J. Theresa Bush * Andrew Gibb & Leticia M. Delgado Lisa Hermanson Chad McDonald * Ginger Poole Edyth Pruitt Shannon Robert Mia Self * Esthere Strom * Denotes Monthly Contributor
While it may be the hazy days of summer, there is palpable energy amongst the SETC Central Office 2022 staff and the many volunteer leaders we are so SETC CONVENTION lucky to work with on a daily basis. Planning for Memphis TN SETC’s 2022 convention in Memphis has begun, and we are building a slow momentum toward our March 9 - 13 signature event and continued industry reopening. You have only to leaf through this newsletter to see the promise of the year to come. All of SETC’s fall events will be held virtually, but the convention in Memphis will be an in-person event with some virtual accessibility peppered into the services offered. We are already working on our COVID-19 plan and protocols, which will be shared upon the opening of registration. But we are gearing up for the most exciting and accessible convention ever! Whether you are ready or not to be in-person, SETC will have something for you!
What can you do now to take steps, even if slow ones? u This newsletter is full of dates and information. Please mark your calendars and share now with your colleagues, students and distribution lists. If you lead a convention event or have ideas about how to improve a particular event, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Central Office now. We have a terrific opportunity to refresh, reinvent or even scale back. u Screening auditions for SETC’s Spring Professional Auditions will be held virtually again this year. And we are working to lower the registration fee to make them more accessible. Now is a great time to start thinking about your audition and train on best self-tape practices. u Submissions for workshop proposals are now open, and the deadline is Sept. 9. What sets the SETC Convention apart from other hiring events is the opportunity to train and network. If you are a faculty member or professional who would like to contribute your expertise to our comprehensive list of workshops/ panel discussions, we encourage you to apply! u SETC is seeking sponsors for our many events, and we can customize any sponsorship to your budget and your desired outcomes. SETC is a nonprofit organization, and financial support is critical to our success! For more info, please contact Lee Crouse at lee@setc.org. Momentum is built one person, one step at a time. SETC looks forward to serving and supporting all, wherever they might be, as we make our way back from the pandemic. More info: www.setc.org
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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MISCELLANEOUS NEWS
Connecting You to Opportunities in Theatre Nationwide
Central Office SETC 5710 W. Gate City Blvd. Suite K, Box 186 Greensboro NC 27407 336-265-6148 info@setc.org Susie Prueter (she/her) susie@setc.org Executive Director Lee Crouse (he/him) lee@setc.org Educational Services/Sponsorships Clay Thornton (he/him) clay@setc.org Marketing/Advertising Chris Bailey (he/him) chris@setc.org Communications/Website Bradley Branham (he/him) bradley@setc.org Programming Elizabeth Theodora (she/her) elizabeth@setc.org Professional Services Nicole Francis (she/her) nicole@setc.org Accounts Receivable/Payable Debi Belanger (she/her) debi@setc.org Data Assistant General Questions info@setc.org
Executive Committee Maegan McNerney Azar (she/her) President Kris Rau McIntyre (she/her) VP of Administration Neno Russell (he/him) VP of Services Jonathan Michaelsen (he/him) VP of Finance Adanma Onyedike Barton (she/her) VP of Equity & Inclusion Ginger Poole (she/her) Secretary Jeff Gibson (he/him) Elected Past President Jeremy Kisling (he/him) VP of States Lynn Nelson (she/her) VP of Divisions
Rosemary Harris Accepts Award in Person Thanks to COVID-19 vaccinations and updated government guidelines, SETC Executive Director Susie Prueter was able to personally present the 2021 SETC Distinguished Career Award to legendary actress Rosemary Harris (right) at her home in Winston-Salem, NC, in May. Harris, who was honored as the award recipient during our 2021 SETC Virtual Convention, also received a copy of the Spring-Summer 2021 Southern Theatre (featuring a story about her career) from the magazine’s editor, Deanna Thompson (below, far right). The gathering was arranged by Keith Martin (right), Appalachian State University’s John M. Blackburn Distinguished Professor of Theatre, who also interviewed Harris for her convention keynote and wrote the magazine story about her.
Southern Theatre Magazine Receives National Award Southern Theatre, SETC’s magazine, won 2nd place in the National Federation of Press Women’s 2021 Communications Contest in the category: publication regularly edited by entrant – nonprofit, government or educational. There were more than 2,000 entries in the national contest. The magazine advanced to the national contest after winning an at-large competition. The winning issue was the Summer 2020 Southern Theatre, which included a story introduced by Marci J. Duncan containing thoughts from eight Black theatre artists on what needs to change in the theatre industry, a story by Stefanie Maiya Lehmann detailing how theatres were responding to the pandemic, a story by Jonathon Taylor offering advice from SETC’s 2020 design keynotes, and a story coordinated by Mark Charney outlining how Texas Tech University created a full season of theatre in found and site-specific spaces. The magazine is edited and designed by Deanna Thompson, with most stories written by SETC members. The Southern Theatre Editorial Board plans the magazine’s content, in conjunction with Thompson and SETC’s Publications Committee, and reviews all stories. Click the cover above to view the winning magazine. Send your news to deanna@setc.org
www.setc.org
July / August 2021
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