July / August 2013 AUDITIONING IN THE FALL? SETC FALL EVENTS Hilton Atlanta Airport Successful Actors Share Tips for Getting a Job SETC asked three experienced professional actors who will be auditioning at the Fall 2013 MASTER CLASS SETC Professional Auditions to share their best advice for fellow auditionees: Michael Chekhov’s Psychological Gesture HANNAH TIMM: Auditioned at Fall Professional Auditions in 2012. Sat., Sept. 7, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Received offers from theme parks, regional theatres and children’s the- atres. Currently acting in 11 shows weekly at Sight and Sound Theatre. Don’t miss your Tips for Auditionees: opportunity to • Be yourself and know yourself. Show your character, not someone study with Joanna or something that you would like to be perceived as. Merlin (right), the • Present yourself in the best manner, not just during your audition, only student of but also outside of the audition room. SETC provides opportunities Michael Chekhov to network with producers and fellow artists. Take advantage of every who is still teach- interaction that presents itself to develop connections. ing today. • Further your education and awareness through lessons, master classes and seminars. Cost to participate: $125; 15 max Remember, if you WANT the work, you have to DO the work. Cost to observe: $75; 10 max www.setc.org/events AARON CHOI: Auditioned at Fall Auditions in 2009 and 2012. “Through the 2009 audition, I booked a job at Sight and Sound Theatre in their FALL GRADUATE SCHOOL original production of Joseph and originated a role in the production.” AUDITIONS & DESIGN/ Tips for Auditionees: TECH INTERVIEWS • DO find material that shows off your strengths as a performer. Sat., Sept. 7 Even if it’s not a role you’d actually get cast as, if you find a For actors and design/tech students monologue or song that you can knock out of the park, then use it. interested in grad school in 2014. • DO NOT learn a song or monologue at the last minute before the Application deadline: Aug. 22 ($25) audition. www.setc.org/fall-grad-school • If you’re not a singer, DO NOT SING at your audition. I’ve watched other performers at auditions who are extremely strong actors and then they ruin their FALL PROFESSIONAL audition with a weak song performance. QUALIFIERS • DO move on. Once auditions and callbacks are done, don’t harp on them. It will eat you Sat., Sept. 7 up. Move on to the next audition or performance. Qualifying audition for actors not meeting all professional requirements. REGINA HARBOUR: First auditioned at SETC in 1977 and has au- www.setc.org/images/Auditions/Pro- ditioned many times since then. Also is an auditioner and served as fessional/FALL/fallqualifyingInfo.pdf the Georgia state auditions coordinator for five years. “Last job I got through SETC was a three-theatre tour of Me and My Girl with Prather FALL PROFESSIONAL Entertainment in 2011.” AUDITIONS Tips for Auditionees: Sun., Sept. 8 - Mon., Sept. 9 • Choose audition material that you are so familiar with, you can do Early bird deadline: July 15 ($35); it in your sleep. Advance deadline: Aug. 22 ($45); • How you say or present your name and On-site walk-ins: $60 number is critical. Yes, be you and be natu- What’s Inside www.setc.org/professional ral, but don’t mumble. As a hiring director, if I can’t understand the first words out of 2013-14 SETC Calendar...... Page 2 FALL BOARD MEETINGS your mouth, the rest is for naught. Professional Corner ...... Page 3 Fri., Sept. 6 and Sat., Sept. 7 • Whatever monologue or song you choose, Meetings of SETC committees, make your audition look effortless. Be it What’s New in Your Division?.....Pages 4-5 Executive Committee drama or comedy, let us see you enjoy School Auditions Date Change ...... Page 6 and Board of Directors doing this. Don’t show us your strife. Screening Auditions Schedule...... Page 7 www.setc.org/board-meetings Show us a person we would love to work Succession Planning ...... Page 8 with! STATE ORGANIZATION NEWS, CALENDAR

State Organizations 2013-2014 SETC Calendar

Death Provides a Wake-Up Call July 1, 2013 2014 SETC Convention hotel reservations open: www.setc.org/hotel-info on the Importance of Records Aug. 22, 2013 Deadline: ◆ Online submission, professional actor/dancer applications for any times, as an SETC board mem- Fall Professional Auditions M ber, I have heard people question ◆ Online submission, student applications for Fall Graduate why SETC places so much empha- School Auditions/Interviews sis on manuals, bylaws, rules and discussion ◆ For POSTMARK on applications by companies for Fall about minutiae. At times, even I have felt that Professional Auditions and by schools for Fall Graduate School spending too much time on these issues has Auditions/Interviews bogged down SETC. ◆ Hotel reservations for Fall Meetings/Auditions However, I have a whole new perspective Sept. 6 – 7, 2013 Fall Board/Advisory Council Meetings, Atlanta, GA after recently becoming executive director Sept. 7, 2013 Fall Graduate School Auditions/Interviews, Atlanta, GA of the Florida Theatre Conference (FTC). Many of the documents that SETC mem- Sept. 8 – 9, 2013 Fall Professional Auditions, Atlanta, GA bers take for granted (manuals in particular) Sept. 30, 2013 Deadline: Workshop proposals for 2013 SETC Convention would have been a real help in making my Sept. – Nov. 2013 Deadline: Applications for SETC Screenings for Spring Professional transition from an FTC board member to Auditions (dates vary by state). See Page 6 for list; or check with your the executive director, state coordinator, your college or university theatre department; or who manages the day- From the visit www.setc.org/setc-screenings Administrative Oct. 15, 2013 2013 SETC Convention registration opens to-day operation of the Vice-President Nov. 15, 2013 Deadline: organization. Steve Bayless I assume that, like ◆ Fringe Festival applications Florida, many other ◆ Convention program advertising state organizations Nov. 21, 2013 Deadline: SETC Young Scholar’s Award entries have executive direc- Dec. 1, 2013 Deadline: High School New Play Contest entries tors, presidents, past Dec. 18, 2013 Deadline: presidents and division ◆ Early bird convention registration chairs who know and ◆ Early bird Commercial Exhibits and Ed Expo reservations understand their own Jan. 14, 2014 Final Deadline: role within the larger ◆ Convention Commercial Exhibit space reservations organization. ◆ Education Expo space reservations (Non-Commercial Exhibits) But when a dramatic/traumatic transition Jan. 15, 2014 Deadline: takes place, where is that wealth of knowl- ◆ Professional AUDITIONEE application/registration edge recorded? ◆ Refund requests – no refunds after this date When Bob Ankrom, our former executive ◆ SETC Secondary School Scholarship (High School Students) director, passed away unexpectedly, we ◆ Keynote Emerging Artist of Promise (KEAP) Award (High School found that much of FTC’s institutional mem- Students) ory and pattern of work did not reside on ◆ William E. Wilson Scholarship applications (High School Teachers) paper, in ◆ Denise Halbach Award applications (Graduate Study in Acting or Musical Theatre Performance) Succession Planning for documents or in others’ ◆ Leighton M. Ballew Award applications (Graduate Study in Directing) Organizations: memories. ◆ Robert Porterfield Award applications (Graduate Study) See Theatre and the Law, In essence, ◆ Tom Behm Award applications (Theatre for Youth) Page 8 it died with Jan. 16, 2014 Deadline: Convention program to printer; no changes after this date. him. Our Jan. 21, 2014 Deadline: organization struggled to understand his ◆ Polly Holliday Award applications (High School Students) processes, locate his contacts and connec- ◆ Marian A. Smith Award applications (Costume Design) tions, and recover his institutional memory. Jan. 22, 2014 Deadline: EMPLOYER registration for Spring Auditions and I challenge each state organization: Job Contact Service • to follow the SETC model, collecting Jan. 28, 2014 Deadline: institutional memory, processes of work ◆ Online applications from auditionees for Graduate Auditions and and manuals; Undergraduate Auditions/College Interviews • to update bylaws and manuals regularly; ◆ Entries in Graduate and Undergraduate Design Competition • to collect/share important contacts (e.g., (Scene, Costume, Lighting, Crafts/Technology) newsletter printers and tax preparers); and ◆ Convention advance registration (Individuals, students and seniors) • to note deadlines for fee payments and ◆ Applications by college and university institutions and other details related to 501(c)(3) status. representatives for Graduate and Undergraduate Auditions/Interviews I will no longer question the open, re- FULL FEES WILL BE CHARGED to all applications postmarked corded, exhaustive process that has made after this date and on-site SETC so successful. I challenge you all to Feb. 17, 2014 Deadline: Convention hotel reservations organize and share! March 5 – 9, 2014 65th Annual SETC Convention, Mobile, AL

2 PROFESSIONAL CORNER

Professional Artist Ricky Cona Spotlight

‘I absolutely love the Fall Auditions’ Ricky Cona is cur- rently “having a blast” playing Pinocchio in Shrek the Musical at Prather Entertainment Group’s The Broad- way Palm in Fort My- ers, FL. In 2013, he played Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors at the Derby Dinner Playhouse. Ricky went through SETC Fall Profes- Kelly Sina appears in the title role of Cinderella at Derby Dinner Playhouse in 2010. sional Auditions in 2011 and 2012 and Spring Professional Auditions in 2010. “I absolutely love the Fall Auditions and Hiring through SETC: recommend people going to the fall event,” Professional Ricky says. “While I enjoyed spring, there Company Derby Dinner Playhouse were so many people. I find Fall Auditions Spotlight “Through SETC Professional Auditions, we fill to be a little more intimate, and the casting approximately 3 to 6 actor, singer, dancer contracts in directors have a lot more time with you.” every season. Additionally, as our technical and off-stage Ricky met Brian Ensman from Prather needs change, we often hire permanent staff members through SETC’s Job Entertainment Group in 2011 at SETC auditions and kept in touch, which led to Contact Service. We’ve been hiring through SETC for almost 20 years.” his casting as Pinnochio. He got his role at - Lee Buckholz, Associate Producer/Artistic Director Derby Dinner Playhouse in Little Shop of Horrors after 2012’s Fall Auditions. SETC had an opportunity this past spring to catch up with Lee Buckholz, Associate Producer “I loved my time with Derby Dinner,” he and Artistic Director for Derby Dinner Playhouse. Below are excerpts from the interview. says. “It was a really creative place with fun people who made me feel at home. They Tell us about your theatre. plans to help teachers incorporate the provided housing right next to the theatre – Derby Dinner Playhouse, located in play into the curriculum. The Derby Dinner very homey and comfortable. I made great Clarksville, IN, is proud to be one of the schedule also includes 10 concerts per year friends and met some wonderful folks. At oldest, continually-operating dinner theatres as part of the Concert Series. Derby, when you work with them, you’re in the country. Currently in its 38th season, What opportunities do you offer family.” Derby Dinner is Southern Indiana’s only performers and technicians? professional theatre. The Playhouse is the All actors and technicians are paid pro- theatrical entertainment leader in Indiana fessionals who are hired from local and and neighboring Kentucky, noted for profes- national talent pools. In addition to regular Inspiration sional productions of Broadway musicals performance opportunities, we encourage April J’C and lighthearted comedies. Derby Dinner our actors and technical staff to attend lo- for Marshall Professionals Playhouse has received national recognition cal and national professional development for its new musicals and is a member of the classes and workshops as well as giving National Alliance for Musical Theatre. them opportunities to teach and share their Our theatre is a major stop for tour skills and talents with the community through Actors: Are You Trying to Get an Agent? buses on both North-South and East-West a series of workshops and classes. routes, serving the region by reaching out What is unusual about your theatre? SETC’s professional theatre services to more than 3 million people through the The Derby Dinner Playhouse stage is sur- manager shares tips to keep your cover years. Annual attendance has grown to rounded by tiers of dining tables and chairs letter out of the round file: nearly 200,000 patrons annually. and has a seating capacity of approximately • Personalize the letter to the agent you are What types of shows do you produce? 500. Seating is arranged “in-the-round” and trying to reach. Derby Dinner Playhouse typically pro- each guest is given a perfect view of the • Don’t compare yourself to other actors. duces musicals, comedies, mysteries or stage. With its wide variety of shows, excel- • Focus your letter on what you have done dramas on mainstage – as well as children’s lent food service and intimate facility, an (not on your drive and passion). musicals, performed weekdays for school evening at Derby Dinner Playhouse is truly • Be precise in detailing your accomplish- groups and on Saturday for the public. All something that everyone can enjoy. ments. Name actual shows and tours. school shows have accompanying lesson More info: www.derbydinner.com

3 DIVISION NEWS

Community Theatre Division Theatre for Youth Division Festival Participation Benefits Theatre and Community Suggest a Play, Workshop s I brush off the sawdust from ing other shows and attending workshops he Theatre for Youth Division is A working on the simplistic (ha!) set travels back home with every participant and T looking forward to an exciting year! for Noises Off and sit down to write aids in making future productions stronger. How can you be a part of that? this column, I am also enjoying social media Your audiences will thank you – and happy Bring a Production to Mobile pictures of theatre friends from across the audiences mean increased ticket sales! The division is now accepting applica- country who are at AACTFest, the national Submitting a show also provides your tions for performances at the 2014 Theatre community theatre festival that kicked off this company with a wonderful opportunity to for Youth Festival in Mobile, AL. Each year week in Carmel, IN. rally your local we aim to find one professional theatre Even though it has community’s SETC Best Actress production, one col- been two years,the support. It’s a Wins AACT Award, lege theatre production experience of partici- source of civic See Page 8 and one youth theatre pating in a national fes- pride to see a production to present tival is still fresh on my local group take the state, regional or na- at the festival. Last mind. The Wetumpka tional spotlight. The results of festival par- year we had outstand- Depot Players are still ticipation will generate additional positive ing performances by basking in the benefits publicity. Coming home with any award tacks Lexington Children’s of participating in not Kristy Meanor “Award-Winning” onto your future marketing Theatre, Unity Produc- only a national festival materials. tions and The Whole Amie Dunn Kisling but also the state and SETC festivals we Volunteers Benefit, Too Backstage Theatre. have entered. If your company is on the Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of Do you know of a theatre or school doing fence about participation, consider how the asking your volunteers to share their time innovative work for young people? Please rewards may benefit your organization. and talents to make a festival entry feasible encourage them to contact festival chair Festivals Make Your Theatre Stronger is that it encourages your group to “breathe.” Jennifer Scott McNair at j.mcnair@galloway- Festival participation raises standards. Taking in new ideas is fabulous but so is school.org and share the great work they are Taking a show to a festival/competition al- giving volunteers an opportunity to share doing with young people in Mobile! lows the director and cast to take an even their expertise and network with others who Award Nominations Accepted closer look at the production details knowing appreciate the significant contributions we Annually, the Theatre for Youth Division that they will be examined not only by their make in our own communities. gives the Sara Spencer Award to an individ- audiences, but by trained adjudicators. In - Kristy Meanor, kmeanor@wetumpkadepot. ual or organization for distinct achievement turn, the knowledge gained through see- com, Chair, Community Theatre Division (Continued on Page 5)

College/University Theatre Division munity. The working title for this document is “SETC Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure Network at Division Reception, Share Input on Tenure and Post-Tenure Review.” Most agree that the USITT best practices documentation e invite you to get involved in the also brainstorming ideas for the College and is essential for technicians and designers W SETC College and University Divi- University Division to join forces with these going through the tenure, promotion and sion’s initiatives and to bring us sponsors on meaningful ways to impact post-tenure review processes. Our goal is to ideas for your own projects. We need your young, emerging professionals’ lives and provide a similar document for other areas input! Network with others who understand future careers. More to come! of theatre. the day-to-day challenges of making college- Tenure Guidelines Being Developed College and University Division Vice-Chair level theatre programs happen. Explaining what we do as actors, di- Paul Crook of Louisiana Tech University is Division Reception Was a Success rectors, designers and stage managers leading the development of this best prac- The College and University Division to those who are not tices manual. Please contact him if you membership tried a new approach during involved in the making are interested in helping compile this very our interest meeting at the convention in of theatre can be a important document: [email protected]. Louisville, to great success. We expanded challenge. Those of us Nominate or Become a Leader the meeting into a reception in order to make in tenure-track posi- We have another opportunity for involve- our annual time together more enjoyable tions at colleges and ment in the division: Volunteer to be on the and appealing. And adding to the appeal: universities understand Nominations Committee for the next vice- refreshments! Attendance was up with this this challenge because chair of the College and University Division. new approach, thanks to the generosity of we must defend our Or better yet, put your name in the hat as a Tripp Oliver at MainStage Theatrical Supply work to administrators Karen Brewster candidate! and Esthere Strom with Barbizon Lighting in regularly, and often our For more information about the division Charlotte and Atlanta. career advancements are on the line. and the roles of vice-chair and chair, please Discussions are under way with these The College and University Division is in contact me at the address below. and other potential sponsors on how to the process of constructing a best practices Karen Brewster, [email protected] expand next year’s reception – and we are document for educators in our SETC com- Chair, College/University Theatre Division

4 DIVISION NEWS

Professional Theatre Division with new online ticketing, expanded bar selection, and aesthetic improvements to Go Beyond Social Media to Involve People in Your Art the facility. It is the audience enrichment that we are finding to be the most valuable. his year I was faced with an incred- as leaders was getting the community and Theatres across the country are implement- T ible challenge: stepping into the patrons to trust us. Ironically, the name of ing pre-show talks with dramaturgs and role of artistic director at a nonprofit the theatre is Trustus. production teams, talk-backs with the cast, professional theatre in Columbia, SC. I had Add Value to Audience’s Experience and discussions led by experts on the play’s served as associate artistic director for One of the most important steps we content. We have been inspired by search- over 7 years, and have have taken is to enrich the audience ex- ing what other theatres are doing to make been a staff actor and perience on multiple levels. In this world their audiences feel personally invested in director there for 19, so of instant gratification, where people can the process of making and enjoying theatre. I felt I was somewhat immediately feel invested and involved in To enrich audiences’ experience is to add prepared for the task at important causes through Twitter and other greater value and significance to every mo- hand. I also was fortu- social media, we sought ways to get people ment they spend in your theatre. As they feel nate to be teamed with passionate about what we do. that greater connection, they will invest more a wonderfully knowl- There are two ingredients to this: customer of themselves. edgeable and driven service and audience enrichment. We have Dewey Scott-Wiley, [email protected] new managing director, Dewey Scott-Wiley made great strides in customer service – Chair, Professional Theatre Division Larry Hembree. The daunting part? The two of us were taking over for the founding artistic and Secondary School Theatre Division managing directors, Jim and Kay Thigpen, after 27 years. It was like being handed the keys to Mom and Dad’s vintage Mercedes. Teachers, Students Benefit from Attending Convention The transition team toiled for over three hy do we teach high school theatre? educator, at the day-long Teachers Institute, years to find the ideal people to take over W Besides the fact that theatre is an held on Wednesday of convention week. the helm in order to enable their retirement. art we love and cherish, what’s in it Make plans now to join us in March in Mobile. No pressure! for our students? Bring Your Students, Too Challenges in New Leadership We Have an Impact Beyond the Stage There are so many opportunities at the We have implemented many changes but From time to time I like to reflect on why SETC Convention for students. Remember continue to learn lessons on a daily basis. I do what I love and how it affects others the scholarship oppor- We were able to keep and expand our and not just myself. Many of our students tunities that are there amazing staff, and we are constantly reas- have the potential to end up as high school for your students. sessing our individual responsibilities. Larry dropouts if they aren’t involved in theatre. Do you have stu- has rebuilt and reinvigorated the Board, and Research has proven that being involved dents who can’t afford we hired a consultant to help us devise and in an arts program keeps many high school to attend? The KEAP implement a strategic plan. We have had a students engaged and in school. We have Award is available to great deal of artistic success this season, as the opportunity to motivate our students to help talented, promis- well as a good deal of commercial success. stay in school and continue their education. ing students who would Of course, there have been a lot of fis- We not only help them build communica- love to come to the Bill Murray cal mountains to climb, as well as other tion skills that are necessary for life but we SETC Convention but unforeseen hurdles. Our biggest “audition” also help build self-esteem. We are able to cannot afford to do so. Visit www.setc.org/ help students realize they can be success- keynote-emerging-artists-of-promise-keap- ful and can boost their confidence each awards for more information. This is your Theatre for Youth and every day. In addition to having a great chance to help those students get to the (Continued from Page 4) time with an incredible art form, we are life SETC Convention. in the areas of child drama. If you know of changers. Weigh in on Division Restructuring individuals who are deserving of this award, Opportunities Await You in Mobile I want to thank for you allowing me the please contact Jeremy Kisling at jkisling@ Being involved with SETC can be a life opportunity over the past years to serve as lctonstage.org to nominate them! changer for you. If you haven’t been attend- your Secondary Division Chair. Please join Propose a Workshop ing our annual convention recently, then you us in Mobile as we continue a discussion Our division is already working to create a need to make plans for Mobile 2014. we started this past March on the idea of dynamic slate of workshops for SETC 2014 You can take advantage of many oppor- restructuring our division slightly. I’d like to to engage and challenge what it means to tunities at the convention, including over hear from you on the idea I have proposed, create theatre with and for young people! 300 workshops and many interest group which would make the Play Festival chair If you produce, perform or just like to see meetings. You can see great theatre from a more permanent type of position. The theatre for youth, you too can be part of our around the Southeast in the play festivals, idea behind this proposal is to create more division. If you have an idea for a workshop discover vendors and resources that can consistency from year to year in the plan- you would like to experience, please feel free impact your theatre program in the Exhibit ning and implementation of the high school to let us know. Play on and dream big! Hall, and gather college information for your festival. - Amie Dunn Kisling, [email protected] students in the Education Expo. You also will - Bill Murray, [email protected] Chair, Theatre for Youth Division find workshops designed just for you, the Chair, Secondary School Theatre Division

5 2014 SETC CONVENTION NEWS Changes Approved for Undergraduate and Graduate School Auditions he idea of change sometimes instills T fear in us. Other times, we can see WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT AT SCHOOL AUDITIONS IN 2014? that a particular change will bring about improvements. The change in Un- • Undergraduate Auditions move from Friday to Thursday of convention week. dergraduate and Graduate School audition • Graduate School Auditions move from Saturday to Friday of convention week. days at the 2014 SETC Convention in Mobile • A portion of each day is dedicated to design-tech student presentations. seems to fall clearly into the latter category. • School/auditionee info will be distributed electronically prior to convention. In May, SETC’s Executive Committee re- viewed and approved a WHAT DO SCHOOLS SAY ABOUT THE CHANGE? requested change from From the the Undergraduate/ President “LOVE this idea! I had the conversation with a few people this year in Louisville that we Transfer and Gradu- Jack Benjamin wished the auds were earlier in the week, since we're always so damn dead by Saturday.” ate Audition Commit- “This is a great step in the right direction!” tees. Chair John Frie- denberg and SETC “I am very much in favor of this new schedule for the Undergraduate Auditions and Educational Theatre design/tech interviews.” Services Coordina- tor Claire Wisniewski “This would be a most welcome change. We found it VERY difficult to meet with students presented the proposal in the time provided after auditions this year.” in three parts: 1. Move each audition one day QUESTIONS? earlier; 2. Dedicate a E-mail Claire Wisniewski in the SETC Central Office at [email protected]. portion of each day for design/tech students; 3. Distribute school and auditionee informa- tion in advance of auditions electronically. undergraduate programs to have an extra change also will give design-tech students The Executive Committee voted to sup- day of recruiting, and graduate programs a better opportunity to present their portfo- port the proposed changes because we will be able to continue their callbacks on lios to interested institutions. Ultimately the believe they will create a wonderful oppor- Saturday. Also, auditionees will have the change will give schools a more extensive tunity both for students and for colleges and opportunity to talk with the school represen- recruiting opportunity and students a better universities. tatives who saw their auditions and talk with chance to connect with their next step in the The changes provide an opportunity for all schools who gave them a callback. The education ladder. Mobile’s Mardi Gras Meets SETC in 2014: Book Your Hotel Now to Join the Party! obile, AL, claims to be the birthplace M of Mardi Gras. Whether or not it is the origin of this celebration, Mobile’s Mardi Gras is one magnificent party! And the citywide party in 2014 is Tuesday, March 3, one day before SETC’s 65th annual convention. If you are interested From the in attending the Shrove Executive Director Tuesday celebration, Betsey Baun SETC hotels are open for reservations now. We understand that the hotels fill up fast so we wanted to give you an early opportunity to include Mardi Gras in your travel plans. How to book your room: Visit www.setc. org/hotel-info for a list of the 2014 SETC Convention hotels. Contact the hotels di- rectly about reservations because policies vary (convention rates may or may not be Mardi Gras is an annual celebration in Mobile. Visit Mobile Mask’s website at www. available for Mardi Gras days). themobilemask.com to learn the history, see pictures and peruse parade schedules. Please note: Registration for the 2014 Information is updated throughout the year. SETC Convention opens October 15, 2013.

6 SCREENING AUDITIONS, EXCOM NEWS, THEATRE BYTES

EXCOM NEWS Fall SETC Screening Auditions: Details and Deadlines by President Jack Benjamin STATE AUDITION APPLICATION AUDITION STATE AUDITIONS A ccording to SETC rules, “The Presi- DATE DEADLINE LOCATION COORDINATOR dent shall include a report on Alabama 10/11-12/2013 09/25/2013 Univ. of S. Alabama Ellen Peck the proceedings of the Executive Mobile, AL [email protected] Committee [ExCom] meetings to the gen- eral membership in the SETC Newsletter.” Florida 11/15-16/2013 10/30/2013 Santa Fe College Marci Duncan ExCom is composed of elected officers, a Gainesville, FL marcijeneseduncan@ division representative and a state represen- hotmail.com tative. The Board of Directors, composed of Georgia 10/11-12/2013 09/25/2013 Coll. of Coastal GA David Limbach elected officers plus all division chairs and Kingsland, GA [email protected] all state representatives, reviews ExCom Kentucky 11/16-17/2013 10/30/2013 Morehead State U. Jeremy Kisling actions and has authority to establish or Morehead, KY [email protected] revise rules. The Executive Committee met in Greensboro on May 17 and 18. The fol- Mississippi 11/16-17/2013 10/30/2013 Power APAC School Stewart Hawley lowing actions were taken (see full minutes Jackson, MS [email protected] on the SETC website): N. Carolina 11/21-22/2013 11/06/2013 Greensboro College Amanda Clark • CHANGE IN AUDITION DAYS: Approved Greensboro, NC [email protected] a motion to change the start date for school auditions from Friday to Thursday (Un- S. Carolina 11/9/2013 10/23/2013 Trustus Theatre Glen Gourley dergraduate) and from Saturday to Friday Columbia, SC [email protected] (Graduate) of convention week. (See more Tennessee 10/26-27/2013 10/09/2013 Clayton Ctr. for Arts Meleia Lewis details in President’s column, Page 6.) Maryville, TN [email protected] • TASK FORCE: Approved a motion to form a task force to further explore a partnership Virginia 10/25-26/2013 10/10/2013 Reston Hyatt Kate Arecchi with USITT for technical auditions. Reston, VA [email protected] • BUDGET AMENDMENT: Approved a W. Virginia 11/2/2013 10/16/2013 Bridgeport HS Jeff Ingman budget amendment to reflect changes in Bridgeport, WV [email protected] disability insurance premiums.

VivaHub Links Nonprofits with Businesses for Fundraising, Groupon Style W hat’s worse, a fundraising project or a root canal? If you who couldn’t afford a $1,000 would choose the root canal any day, don’t despair. donation was just as effective There’s a new fundraising platform called VivaHub that has as someone with money of Theatre the potential to make fundraising a great deal easier. Visit vivahub. his own to give. Bytes com to learn more about this program, which is a Groupon-type ser- VivaHub provides steady vice that links nonprofit organizations with businesses for fundraising. reminders of how a campaign Each nonprofit organization picks businesses for partnership. Then is progressing. The nonprofit the merchants cooperate by offering deals for services that comple- learns which supporters are by Don Wolfe ment business as usual. For example, a restaurant might offer wine making contacts and gets pairings for its regular Friday night menu. The donor purchases the updated lists of buyers and deal through Vivahub, enjoys a dinner with wine, and the nonprofit reports of donations from merchants. Merchants determine what organization gets a cut of the purchase price. percentage of a deal goes to the organization. Vivahub gets a per- Durham Arts Pilot Project Raises $11,000 cent of the merchants’ revenues. The nonprofit pays nothing at all. Todd Atlas, the founder, tested the program by collaborating with Atlas can develop a fundraising plan in a matter of hours for a the Durham, NC Arts Council. The goal for the first test was $5,000, nonprofit, with just two bits of information: the nonprofit’s timing for which was met and exceeded; a the fundraiser and a list of personal and business relationships. second trial program, targeted Plans to Grow to raise $4,000, brought the total The fundraising platform is still in the Beta development phase. funds raised to $11,000. Granted, Most of the deals on VivaHub are in its hometown of Durham, NC, these goals are not huge. However, but it is receiving inquiries from as far south as Miami and as far keep in mind that, unlike many fun- north as Canada. As VivaHub’s relationships with merchants and draising services, Vivahub charges its business territory expand, its effectiveness will grow as well. its nonprofit clients nothing. More Information In the two Durham Arts Council Visit the website at www.vivahub.com or send an e-mail to Atlas campaigns, more than 400 people at [email protected]. bought packages. One person was responsible for raising $1,000 by sending reminders to friends and Don Wolfe is professor emeritus at Wake Forest University and a former acquaintances. Thus, with VivaHub, one well-motivated person SETC President. He can be reached at [email protected].

7 PEOPLE NEWS, LEGAL ISSUES

Organizations Should Plan Ahead for Succession BOOKS ll of us, if we are fortunate, will experience the in the news A process of growing older. Nonprofit theatre and arts organizations also age – and need to be Ken Ludwig, award-winning Broadway prepared for the challenges that accompany aging. playwright and SETC’s 2013 Distinguished Unlike people, who have a corporeal existence (i.e., Career Award winner, has published a we have bodies that are born and that reach a natural Theatre new book, How to Teach Your Children endpoint – death), nonprofit organizations are created and the Law Shakespeare. Ludwig’s method combines by statute and in most instances are designated with by Dan Ellison read-aloud, repetition perpetual existence. SETC, for instance, at 64 years and rhyming techniques, old, is poised to outlive all of its founding members. together with vivid What Happens to a Nonprofit as It Ages? descriptions of the The future of a nonprofit organization can become a major issue when a leader steps plays and characters, down, especially when it’s a long-running nonprofit that has been fundamentally linked to to introduce kids to its founder. One nonprofit organization that I know, when its founding member and longtime Shakespeare’s world. executive director was about to retire, set in motion a plan for dissolution. However, a ground- Pages: 384. Price: swell of support for its mission led to some grants and some board member rejuvenation $25; hardcover. ISBN that enabled the group to continue even after the executive director retired. 978-0-307-95149- The Guthrie Theatre, celebrating its 50th year, has had seven artistic directors who, ac- 6. Also available cording to the Minneapolis StarTribune, “tinkered with Guthrie’s original idea, reshaped the as an e-book: 978- mission, the stage and even the building. The cumulative effect has been an evolution of 0-307-95151-9. More info: www. Guthrie’s original idea.” crownpublishing.com Succession Plans Should Be Part of Your Discussion A nonprofit board should, as part of its requisite duty of care, plan for succession as well as success. Succession plans should evaluate change in leadership. Executive directors and artistic directors move, get sick, retire, die, burn out, and for other reasons may be unable PEOPLE to serve. Could your organization survive an unexpected staffing disaster? on the move Change is not only inevitable, but also necessary. As the Jefferson Airplane song “Crown of Creation” reminds us, “Life is change, how it differs from the rocks.” Periodic reviews of policies, bylaws, staff, board members and board member terms are essential. Is your Congratulations to Katrina Ploof, who organization poised to embrace change? won the Best Actress award at the American Association of Community Theatre (AACT) Dan Ellison is a Durham, NC-based attorney with a concentration in arts-related law and nonprofit law. He can be Festival in Carmel, IN, for her portrayal reached at [email protected]. The contents of this column are intended for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstance. of Golda in Golda’s Balcony, presented by Theatre Winter Haven Volume LIV Number 1 • Winter 2013 • $8.00 of Winter Haven, FL. Ploof also won the Best 2013 Actress Award at the SETC 2014 SETC Community The- College, University & Training Program Directory Mobile, AL March 5-9 Looking for the best setting to launch your career atre Festival in March INSIDE: 2013 College, in theatre? Perhaps you’re seeking the perfect place University & to pursue an advanced degree in one of the theatre Professional Training Program disciplines? To help you make those choices, we have 2013. Directory compiled the most comprehensive directory available anywhere listing degrees and special programs offered at SETC member colleges, universities and training programs. Data for the profiles is provided by the Planning a Showcase? institutions. Agents, Schools Share Best Practices Is Design in Your Future? Why You Need to Enter Competitions Beyond NYC and LA July 15 is Deadline to Make an Explore Job Options in Regional Theatre SETC Leader Nomination Where to Send News Nominations are being accepted through Make Sure Your SETC News is published bimonthly July 15 for SETC officers and the Nomina- School Is Listed in 2014 for the Southeastern Theatre Confer- tions Committee for 2014-15. Visit www.setc. ence. Deadline for the next issue is org/leadership/elections for more informa- Attention, colleges and universities: August 10. tion and to download the nomination form. Act now to ensure that your institution Please send news items to: Questions? Contact Nominations Commit- receives its free listing in Southern Deanna Thompson, Editor tee Chair Chris Rich at [email protected]. Theatre’s 2014 College/University/ Phone: 336-292-6041 Training Program Directory. Don’t E-mail: [email protected] miss this opportunity to reach Encourage High School Students or to: prospective students! Join SETC as to Write Plays this Summer Southeastern Theatre Conference an organizational member and provide 1175 Revolution Mill Drive, Studio 14 SETC’s High School New Play Contest, de- listing information by September 15 to Greensboro, NC 27405 signed to encourage young writers, accepts be included. Limited ad space also Phone: 336-272-3645 entries between October 1 and December is available. Contact Judi Rossabi at E-mail: [email protected] 1. More info: www.setc.org/hs-new-play- [email protected] for more info. Website: www.setc.org contest-awards 8