January / February 2009 SETC 2009 Keynote Presenters Are Major Players in Theatre, Film, TV here can you get tips from a Tony Award-winning actress who got her start at SETC’s W auditions? Advice from a top talent agent who found Angelina Jolie some of her first Distinguished Career Award film roles? Words of wisdom from a three-time Tony Award-winning scene designer & Saturday Keynote Speaker who also is the production designer behind Saturday Night Live? The answer to all of the above is... the SETC Convention in Birmingham, AL, on March 4-8, 2009. In addition to hosting a myriad of workshops, auditions, festivals and social events, Eugene Lee SETC will welcome three leaders in the fields of theatre, film and television. Register online Scenic Designer for the convention at www.setc.org by January 28 to save money! Winner of three Production Designer hursday eynote alk ack riday eynote peaker T K T -B F K S for Saturday Night Live since 1974 Mark Redanty Beth Leavel Talent Agent Actress President, Bauman, Redanty Shaul 2006 Tony Award for Best Actress What path takes a scenic designer through Talent Agency On Broadway in , 2008 a career that intersects regional theatre, Who should have an How do you land a role Broadway, film and television? agent? How do you get on Broadway? What To hear the adventures of one designer an agent? Once you does it take to win a who paved his own way through all of these have an agent, what’s Tony Award for best venues, plan to attend Saturday’s Keynote next? actress? Address by SETC’s 2009 Distinguished If you want answers If you’re looking for Career Award winner Eugene Lee. He is to these questions, advice on making it in a three-time Tony Award winner for scenic don’t miss Thursday’s the Big Apple, be sure design and has served for more than three Keynote Talk-Back with to attend Friday’s Key- decades as production designer for the Mark Redanty. note Address by Beth popular late-night TV show, Saturday Night Mark Redanty’s passion is finding tal- Leavel. Live. ented performers and getting them started Leavel is a Raleigh, NC native who In addition to delivering a keynote in the field. Case in point: Angelina Jolie. trained for the stage in the Southeast. She address, Lee also will accept SETC’s He helped the star land some of her first earned her undergraduate degree at Mer- Distinguished Career Award during Saturday films, before she was a household name. edith College and her master of fine arts night’s Awards Banquet. (Continued on Page 3) (Continued on Page 3) (Continued on Page 3) You Belong at SETC’s 60th Anniversary Bash ou are officially invited to the 60th turn an ordinary party What’s Inside From the President Y anniversary party of the Southeast- into an occasion that ern Theatre Conference. In honor would be the envy of Glen Seeking a Job in Birmingham? ...... Page 2 of our 60th anniversary, we are planning an any party planner on Gourley event you do not want to miss. any reality TV show in BIG News for Designers ...... Page 3 Themed as a Masque Gala, this celebra- America. Musical Theatre Master Class ...... Page 3 tion will provide attendees with an opportu- You don’t even have nity to don their finest (as the program says, to bring your own mask State Convention Reports ...... Page 4 “mask and costume optional”). to get into the spirt of ‘Facebook’ for Theatre Lovers ...... Page 6 As we know from personal experience, this event. You can we “theatre folk” know how to throw a party. make your mask on ‘Urinetown’ Settlement News ...... Page 7 And when we are given the opportunity Saturday morning in Where’s SETC in 2010?...... Page 8 of wearing costumes and masks, we can (Continued on Page 8)

CELEBRATE SETC’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY at a Masque gala! When: 8 p.m., Saturday, March 7, 2009 Where: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Organized by Beth Harvey, Program Chair; Freddy Clements; Betsey Baun, Executive Director; and University of South Alabama’s Becky Britton and Connie Smith Page 2

Apply NOW to Participate in What opportunities are there at the convention to get theatre jobs, and must I pre-register for Grad/Undergrad Auditions these? The application deadline is January 28 for Q those wishing to participate in Undergradu- There are three official ways to find theatre jobs at the ate Auditions and Interviews or the Graduate SETC Convention: Auditions and Interviews. Visit www.setc.org/ auditions/ for more information. 1) Job Contact Service (JCS) AJCS is the place to find academic, administrative, backstage, design, Preliminary School List front-of-house and technical jobs, as well as intern and apprentice Listed below are schools that had registered positions in those areas. to participate in the 2009 auditions as of No- When: Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 vember 13. We expect to double the number a.m.-Noon. Location: Convention Complex/Medical Forum 3rd Floor. participating by the time of the convention. NOTE: You must apply for this event (with application and resume) Undergraduate Auditions in addition to registering for the convention. To pre-register, you must and College Interviews: apply ONLINE and bring your resume with you to the Job Contact American Musical and Dramatic Academy a s k SETCService room at the convention. Please note: There is a NEW require- Anderson University ment this year for a reference. You need to supply one reference at the Carnegie Mellon University time you apply. If you decide to wait and register on-site, you will need to bring an application Catawba College form signed by your reference with you or get a reference there. This requirement could pose Cleveland State University a big problem if you are not prepared. Be wise and pre-register! If you pre-register by January Converse College Davis and Elkins College 28, you will also save yourself some money. It costs a lot more to register on-site! Elon University 2) Actor/Tech Walk-Thru Gainesville Theatre Alliance (Brenau Actor/Tech Walk-Thru is where you can find opportunities to work as a technician and perhaps also University/Gainesville State College) “fill in” onstage in minor roles or group scenes. When: Saturday, 8:30 a.m. Callbacks follow. Illinois State University NOTE: You must be pre-registered for the convention and JCS to apply for this service. In addi- Illinois Wesleyan University tion, you must complete the application process on-site at the SETC Convention by presenting Louisiana State University your technical resume to the Job Contact On-site Manager in the Job Contact Service room. Loyola University New Orleans Lyon College 3) Auditions (see below) Mars Hill College Marshall University Murray State University When and where will auditions be held at the SETC Convention in Ohio Northern University Birmingham? Where are callbacks? Point Park University Radford University Q Rollins College Rutgers University The answer depends on the type of auditions in which you are participating. (All Savannah College of Art and Design auditions require pre-registration.) Here’s a rundown by audition type: Seton Hill University Professional Auditions Shenandoah University AWhen: Thursday-Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., followed by dance call and company callbacks. Stella Adler Studio Acting Auditions Location: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, CC/East Ballroom University of Alabama Birmingham A. Dance Call Location: Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, CC/East Ballroom B. University of Central Florida Callback Locations: Sheraton Birmingham (adjacent to Convention Complex) and specified University of Houston University of Miami Convention Center meeting rooms (during and after the day’s workshops). University of South Florida Undergraduate School Auditions for High School Juniors University of West Georgia When: Saturday, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Auditions Location: Medical Forum Conference Center, which University of Tennessee Chattanooga is connected to the Sheraton Hotel. Callback Location: Education Expo and Interview Lounge Virginia Tech at Exhibit Hall 3. Wake Forest University Undergraduate School Interviews for Transfer Students, High School Seniors West Virginia Wesleyan College and Design/Tech Students Western Carolina University Winthrop University When: Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Professors receive student applicant packets at registration upon arrival. Graduate Auditions, Design/Tech Interview Request Location: Bulletin Boards in the Interview Lounge at Front of Exhibit Hall A Interviews and Directing Interviews: in Convention Center. Interview Location: Education Expo and Interview Lounge at Exhibition Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre Hall 3 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. NOTE: Student applicants will be asked to walk on stage at 9 a.m. Saturday during the Under- New Actors Workshop/Antioch University graduate School Auditions. They will state their names and interest areas. (i.e., “My name is McGregor Regent University Mary Smith and I want to study scenic design.”) Rutgers University Graduate School Auditions Savannah College of Art and Design When: Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Auditions Location: Medical Forum Conference Center Auditorium. Stella Adler Studio Callback Location: Shared space TBA. University of Central Florida Graduate School Interviews for Design, Technical and Directing University of Houston When: Friday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Portfolio Review Location: Medical Forum Conference Center University of Louisville Room C. University of Maryland University of Memphis Students: Not sure where you fit? For more information, see the chart online University of Nevada Las Vegas at www.setc.org/auditions/undergraduate.php University of North Carolina Greensboro University of Southern Mississippi Page 3

2009 Design Competition Offers BIG Opportunities Please join us Heads up, emerging designers. This is the year to submit your for SETC’s second annual designs to the SETC Design Competition. Why? In addition to all the of the reasons that the Design Competition is a great show- Design-Tech Mixer case every year, there are two special reasons that it will be a “don’t miss” event Sponsored by Selecon and Vari*Lite for student designers this year: Who’s Invited: • Student designers’ entries will be displayed at a private showing for All techies and designers who work or study professional companies. in any aspect of technical theatre or theatre design. Prior to opening the Design Competition display to the entire convention Come start the 60th Anniversary SETC Convention audience, there will be a private showing in which the professional company celebration at the annual Design-Tech Mixer. representatives can view the designs. Both undergraduate and graduate Last year it was the event of the convention! school designers are invited to participate in this event. Over 300 techies mingled and networked • Graduate designers have a chance to win one of three READY- while enjoying hors d’oeuvres, drinks (cash bar) FOR WORK DESIGN AWARDS as part of SETC’s 60th Anniversary and prizes. Don’t miss this year’s event! celebration. One lucky student in the Graduate Costume Design Competition will win When: the opportunity to intern for a 8-9:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 4, 2009 major costume shop in New Where: Mark Redanty York City. Convention Complex Room N (Continued from Page 1) One lucky student in the Grad- The list of others he has represented or uate Lighting Design Competition Hors d’oeuvres continues to represent include Bobby Morse, will win a training opportunity with Cash Bar winner of an Emmy Award as well as Tony Vari*Lite. Awards for best actor in a play and in a One lucky student in the Graduate Scenic musical; Broadway (Wicked) and TV (Push- Design Competition will win the opportunity to intern ing Daisies) star ; Sada with a company still to be announced. Thompson, whose career was recognized Each award comes with $600 spending money from SETC. Visit SETC’s website for by the American Theatre Hall of Fame; Tony, details. Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor Patrick Wilson, and SETC’s Friday keynote speaker, Beth Leavel. An agent for over 30 Light Lab: years, Redanty prefers working with artists A Special Opportunity for Lighting Designers who approach their acting seriously, valuing training and the intricacies of performance. Sponsored by Kenton Yeager and University of Tennessee, Knoxville What better way to learn about and to explore the creative uses of light than to actually TURN ON the lights? This year we will be setting up a 1 to 6 scale lighting lab and Apply Now for Mark Redanty’s offering creative and skill building projects to all those interested. Please come by to participate in the projects and learn how to create your own scale lighting lab. Look Musical Theatre Master Class for more details in your convention newspaper. Thursday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. Would you like to have the opportunity to work with talent agent Mark Redanty Eugene Lee Beth Leavel at the SETC Convention? He will con- (Continued from Page 1) (Continued from Page 1) duct a master class with 12 musical Awards he has received include: (MFA) in acting at UNC-Greensboro. At the theatre actors at the SETC Convention •Three Tony Awards – for Candide, Swee- SETC auditions in 1980, Leavel landed a as other convention attendees observe. ney Todd, and Wicked. job as an intern at Pennsylvania Stage in Through his work with the participants, • the American Theatre Wing’s Design Allentown. By 1981, she was pursuing her Redanty will demonstrate what current Award. acting career in New York. stage and screen producers and agen- • the Outer Critics’ Circle Award. Leavel won the 2006 Tony Award, Drama cies are looking for in actors. • the . Desk Award, New York Outer Critics Circle Want to be one of the 12 par- • the Lucille Lortel Award. Award and L.A. Drama Critics Award for her ticipants? Interested applicants must • the Pell Award. performance as in be nominated by their professors. • the Elliot Norton Award for Sustained The Drowsy Chaperone. E-mail Beth Harvey, program chair, at Achievement. From July through the end of November [email protected] for more information. A resident of Providence, RI, Lee holds 2008, she portrayed Frau Blucher in Young Nomination deadline is January 28. bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degrees from Frankenstein on Broadway. She left that role Resumes will be requested, and full the Art Institute of Chicago and Carnegie to star in Minsky’s, which will premiere at convention registration is mandatory. Mellon, a master of fine arts (MFA) degree the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles Want to observe? Arrive early! The from Yale Drama School and three honorary and is expected to move after that to Broad- room will hold 250 individuals. doctorates. way. Page 4 States Report on Annual Conventions; College and Uni- FLORIDA versity Interaction. MISSISSIPPI Theatre Association We hold an overlapping Theatre Association College/University and Number in attendance: 1467. Secondary School Divi- Mississippi Theatre Association’s annual Winners of Community Theatre sion meeting, hosted convention and festivals will be in Natchez Festival: Nine, Theatre A La Carte, by a vendor, enabling on January 15-18, 2009. Tallahassee, FL; and The School for Wives, folks from the divisions Idea to Share # 1: Town Hall Meet- Venice Theatre, Venice, FL. to interact. ings. We have been doing “Town Hall” Duke Guthrie Winners of Secondary Theatre Idea to Share #3: meetings all across Mississippi for the last Festival: John Lennon and Me, Booker More Performance Opportunities. two years to give people input on MTA High School, Sarasota, FL; Runner-up: We hold two Secondary School Festivals, activities and information about our theatre You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Gulf one for SETC consideration, and the other organization. Breeze High School, Gulf Breeze, FL. following the general guidelines of the Idea to Share #2: New Contest. We Idea to Share: Florida Theatre Idol. Georgia High School Association. are adding a High School Playwriting Com- Sixteen participants performed on Thursday Duke Guthrie petition for the first time this year. evening and a panel of three judges (includ- State Representative Tom Booth ing SETC Executive Director Betsey Baun) State Representative selected four contestants as semifinalists. These four semifinalists performed through- KENTUCKY out the next two days between the one-act Theatre Association SOUTH CAROLINA plays. Conference attendees could vote Theatre Association for their favorite performer by contributing Number attending: Just over 500. $1 per vote. The four Winner of Community Theatre Festi- Number attending: 300. semifinalists performed val: The Complete Works of William Shake- Winner of Community Theatre during the Saturday speare, Abridged, Glema Mahr Center for Festival: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now evening Awards Show, the Arts, Madisonville, KY. Change, Greenwood Community Theatre, where the winner and Winner of High School Theatre Fes- Greenwood, SC. a runner-up were an- tival: Feeding the Moonfish, Paul Laurence Winner of High School Theatre Fes- nounced. The winner Dunbar High School, Lexington, KY. tival: Scooter Thomas received a $200 prize Idea to share: On-site Conference Makes It To The Top of and the runner-up re- Survey. This year, KTA introduced an the World, Lexington High ceived a $100 prize. on-site conference survey, which was in- School, Lexington, SC. Stephen Bayless The remainder of the serted into the all-conference program. To Award Recipients: funds raised through the Florida Theatre Idol increase participation in the survey, KTA Founder’s Award: Glen competition will go toward FTC’s scholar- held a drawing of completed surveys and Gourley, Francis Marion ship funds. gave away prizes, including gift packs and University. Lifetime Ser- Stephen Bayless, State Representative tickets to KTA-member shows. The survey vice Award: Christine Robert Ankrom, State Executive Director asked members to pro- Fisher, ABC Project, Leslie Dellinger vide demographic in- Winthrop University. Outstanding Educator formation, feedback to Award: Mark Charney, Clemson University. GEORGIA improve the conference, Deborah Smith Hoffman Mentor Educator Theatre Association and potential future pro- Award: Leslie Dellinger, Lexington High gramming ideas. It was School. Number attending: 1246. disseminated to high Idea to share: Eliminate Luncheon Winner of Community Theatre school students, col- Banquet, Combine Other Events. Festival: Controlling Interest, Lionheart lege students, teachers, A couple of years ago, we eliminated our Theatre Company, Norcross, GA. directors and audience Doug Schutte Sunday luncheon banquet, which we found Winner of High School Theatre members. This survey many did not attend, partly because they did Festival: Mandy Dear, South Forsyth High will assist KTA in better serving its members not want to pay for it. We started having our School, Cumming, GA. in organization, new programming and po- all-convention business meeting, keynote Idea to Share #1: One-Act Playwriting tential new grant proposals. speaker and awards on Saturday night in- Festival. GTC hosts an annual one-act To see a copy of the KTA survey, e-mail stead. We have had much better attendance playwriting festival. This year over 50 plays me at [email protected] with this schedule. were submitted. Overall winner: Weavers, by Doug Schutte Leslie Dellinger Evan Guilford Blake of Atlanta, GA, Winner Executive Director State Representative of the 18 or under category: A Pretense of Plans, by Louisa Hill of Decatur, GA. Look for reports from Alabama and North Carolina and details on winners from Mississippi Idea to Share #2: High School/ in the March/April SETC News. Page 5

Commercial Exhibitors States Report on Annual Conventions; Share Innovative Ideas Commit to SETC 2009 ate chair, Department of Drama, University Look for the following vendors in the TENNESSEE of Virginia. Commercial Exhibits area at the 2009 SETC Theatre Association Winner of Community Theatre Convention in Birmingham. This list, current Festival: Open Meeting, Castaways as of November 14, is expected to grow even Number attending: 375. Repertory Theatre, Woodbridge, VA. more by the time of the convention. Winner of Community Theatre Winner of High School Theatre Fes- Anchorage Press Plays Festival: Escanaba in Love, Cookeville tival: Ellis Island, The Dream of America, E. Apollo Design Technology Drama Center, Cookeville, TN. C. Glass High School, Lynchburg, VA. Atlanta Workshop Players Winner of High School Theatre Fes- Idea to Share: High School/College Barbizon Lighting Company tival: The Insanity of Mary Girard, Mont- and University Interaction. Collabo- Community Shakespeare gomery Bell Academy rating with the College and University Divi- Costume Holiday House, Inc. and the Harpeth Hall sion, VTA offered a workshop for high school Custom Stage Services, Inc Drama Education Network School, Nashville, TN. students that featured a panel of college Dramatic Publishing Idea to share #1: students and professors from different state Dramatist Play Service Two-Day Screening colleges. They discussed what each of their Envision Group Auditions. This year programs had to offer undergraduates, what Field Template the SETC screening au- their strengths were and what the differ- Fisher Theatrical LLC ditions were expanded ences were between an MFA, MA, BA, BFA Focus Publishing to cover two days. The and other degrees. The Interactive Educational Video first day was devoted to Melissa Shafer college students talked Mainstage Theatrical Supply Manhattan Tour and Travel in-state auditionees, and the second day about their lives as the- Miller and Campbell Costume Service was primarily for out-of-state auditionees atre students. The high New Plays with some overflow from the in-state actors. school students and Norcostco-Atlanta Costume This occurred due to the unprecedented teachers really enjoyed Parlights increase in audition applications last year, it. They were able to Rosco Labs when many actors were turned away. The ask questions about the Samuel French Inc Sculptural Arts Coating expansion made for a smooth and equitable programs and degrees Richard Finkelstein audition. offered and how being Mary K. Molineu Selecon Shure Inc. Idea to Share #2: Networking for a theatre student would impact their college Stage Directions/Timeless Communication New Position. We invited the executive studies. The discussion was so worthwhile Strand Lighting director for the Tennessee Association of that the college and university representa- Texas Scenic Company, Inc. Dance, Karen Wilson, to be our guest at tives are planning to do it again next year (The) Magnum Companies the conference. Wilson then met with our and requested a longer block of time. Theatrical Lighting Systems Inc (TLS) board of directors to share her ideas for Mary K. Molineu, Executive Director Theatrical Rights Worldwide how TTA might initiate an executive director Kimberly Kemp, State Representative Vectorworks by Nemetschek North America position. Idea to Share #3: High School/ College and University Interaction. WEST VIRGINIA We continued an event that was started at Theatre Conference ARTS the 2007 conference. College and University opportunities representatives were invited to attend the Number attending: Over 400. Secondary School Festival’s lunch break Winner of Community Theatre Fes- Fellowships are available for theatre (with pizza provided by TTA) to meet and talk tival: Catch and Release, Independent professionals interested in exploring links with students about their college plans. Theatre Collective, Wheeling, WV. between theatre and psychoanalysis. Melissa Shafer Winner of High School Theatre Details: Visit www.apsa.org, and click on State Representative Festival: Deliver Us Not!, Oak Glen High “Fellowship Program.” School, New Cumberland, WV. Idea to share: WVTC is developing an Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte is accepting VIRGINIA entry for the website Wikipedia. submissions through March 1 for its MFA Theatre Association April Daras Playwriting Award. Details: Visit www. State Representative actorstheatrecharlotte.org. VTA holds three events each year: Virginia Theatre Association (VTA) Annual Confer- ence; VTA Community Theatre Festival; and Buy a Shirt, Send a Kid to School! VTA Young People’s Theatre Festival Number Attending: 1400; 45; and 300; Want a cool SETC shirt? Want to help students go to theatre school? for a total attendance of 1745. Your purchase of an SETC T-shirt helps fund the SETC Endowment, Awards: 2008 VTA Lifetime Achievement which will pay out more than $20,000 in scholarships this year. Look Award: LaVahn Hoh, professor and associ- for SETC shirt displays throughout the convention site in March. Page 6

PEOPLE Looking for Broadway news, talk and tickets? on the move Explore This ‘Facebook’ for Theatre Lovers ave you found BroadwaySpace.com on the Internet yet? This jolly site is chock- Steven R. Chicurel, chair of theatre at H full of activities to entice and engage anyone “mad for theatre” among us. the University of Central Florida, and John Ken Davenport, one of the site’s founders declares, “And then one day I Bell, chair of theatre at DeSales University thought… what if there was a place where all of the people just like me hung out all (PA) are the authors of a new book, Music the time? What if there was a place where it always felt like you were doing a show, Theory for Musical Theatre. Published by and it never closed? What if there was a place that made you feel like you were living Scarecrow Press with a lay-flat binding for in the heart of Times Square, even though you might be living in Worcester, Massa- easy use in the classroom and concluding chusetts? So, I got together with my great friend and my tech guru, Cedric Yau (who with a glossary that reinforces important got a masters in computer science at 20), and we created BroadwaySpace.com.” terminology, this textbook is designed to BroadwaySpace.com is very similar to Facebook and MySpace with one big differ- demystify music theory and analysis. Visit ence: It’s geared to theatre people. You have to join to really explore its myriad blogs, www.scarecrowpress.com for more infor- links and groups, all related to Broadway. The site has an unmistakable teen-young mation. adult atmosphere; you can imagine my hesitance in admitting my age in my profile. Surprise, surprise, I found two inquiries in the morning e-mail. Maybe I’ll install a photo and let people see exactly what they’re dealing with. In Memoriam Go see this energetic website for yourself. You can buy tickets, compete for ticket prizes, read news about show Robin R. Farquhar, who had served business in New York, and join groups who like to Q&A Theatre since 1983 as artistic and executive director about individual Broadway shows. I also noticed a good of Flat Rock Playhouse, the State Theatre deal of fan mail to current popular Broadway singers. Bytes of North Carolina, passed away Monday, At the bottom of the home page, there are links to three by Don Wolfe November 3. He was 59. more sites of potential interest to SETC members: He was the son of Robroy and Leona Farquhar, founders of Flat Rock Playhouse, http://theproducersperspective.com. “A theatre producer located in the North Carolina mountains. (Ken Davenport) in NYC gives his opinions on every- Both Robin and his father were former chairs thing related to Broadway and beyond.” (quoted from the of SETC’s Professional Theatre Division. website) During Robin’s tenure at Flat Rock, he www.didhelikeit.com. “Welcome to DidHeLikeIt.com, your official guide to theatre created a new vision for the Playhouse. The reviews by me, Ben Brantley. If you want to know what other reviewers thought and organization grew from a 10-week summer read their reviews, just click on a show’s link on the left.” (quoted from the website) stock company to a year-round profes- sional regional theatre and school advancing www.bestofoffbroadway.com/ “Welcome to The Best of Off-Broadway, the most com- the dual mission of prehensive source for Off-Broadway news, tickets, theater discounts, and Off-Broad- quality performance way show information. Sign up today to receive exclusive information on Off-Broadway and arts education. and have access to our ‘Members Only’ discounts!” (quoted from the website) The performing se- Don Wolfe can be reached at [email protected]. ries now spans nine months and enter- tains over 95,000 theatergoers while ing a stroke on July 13. She was 71. her new home in Maryland in 1962.” the educational com- Ingham, who got her start sewing cos- More recently, Ingham had attended the ponent, YouTheatre, tumes for the theatre department at the 2002 SETC Convention in Mobile, serving as instructs up to 1,000 University of Virginia, was an early leader an adjudicator for the Design Competition. students each year. Seasonal artists and of SETC. college students number more than 100. “She saved the organization from disas- The day before his death, the Playhouse ter in October 1959 when James Helms dedicated the Robin R. Farquhar Education of the University of Virginia was killed in Center. Constructed in 2007 at the Play- a plane crash,” notes Philip G. Hill, an house site, the state-of-the-art facility is SETC past president who has researched March 4-8, 2009 the centerpiece of an educational mission the organization’s history. “Helms was the fulfilling both his and his father’s long-term elected Executive Secretary-Treasurer, an Planning your trip to SETC 2009? goals for the Vagabond School of the Drama, officer who was responsible for managing Here are some links that provide Inc. SETC’s office activities when we had about information about Birmingham area p p p 160 members. Ingham was Helms’ office restaurants and attractions: Rosemary Ingham, one of the assistant and agreed to take over his re- nation’s foremost costume designers and sponsibilities on an emergency basis. She http://birminghamal.org/thingstodo.html the author of several widely-used books on was then elected to a two-year term of her www.inbirmingham.org costume design and technology, died follow- own in March 1960 and completed it from

Page 7 A Copy or Not a Copy? That is the Question... Settlements in cases involving the copying of stage directions for Urinetown raise questions for theatres he lawsuits alleging design, scenic design and staging is automatically included when you T that theatres in Chi- costume design? (Note: In this purchase rights to produce it; for others, you cago and Akron copied article, I will use the term “stage need to pay a relatively small additional fee stage directions (and other ele- directions” to encompass all of for rights to the staging.) With new musicals, ments) from the original Broad- these creative elements.) it appears that this additional licensing for way Urinetown production • Do directors, set design- staging may become the rule. have both now been settled ers, choreographers and other Apply Pre-1978, Post-1978 Guideline – without any court ruling ac- Theatre and the Law creative team members have For plays that were staged prior to 1978 tually deciding the underlying by Dan Ellison copyright in their work? (at a time when formalities of copyright reg- issues. (The Chicago settle- The settlements acknowledged istration were required), it is likely that stage ment was announced in November 2007; the similarities in production and included directions (other than those contained in the Akron settlement was posted in July 2008; payments by the non-Broadway parties to copyrighted script) are simply not protected see the Society of Stage Directors and Cho- the original creative team, but we are not by copyright. After 1978, however, the copy- reographers (SSDC) website at www.ssdc. privy to the specific details. The joint Akron right laws no longer required registration for org for the settlement statement.) settlement release by the SSDC and United copyright to exist. Therefore, for plays that To briefly summarize the issues: Scenic Artists quotes Cecilia Friederichs of were staged after 1978, copyrights on stage • When you at your local theatre license United Scenic Artists stating that the settle- directions may arguably be in effect even a play or musical, does that allow you to ment recognizes “the unique contributions without a copyright registration. Urinetown replicate original creative elements of the of directors, designers and choreographers isn’t the first production to be involved in choreography, stage direction, lighting to theatrical production, and that these con- this type of controversy. The Most Happy tributions are original, creative works that Fella (1992) and Love! Valour! Compassion! may not be used without the appropriate (1995) are the two other most notable cases AROUND consideration, compensation and credit….” – but both of those also had their copyright the region However, these settlements do not provide issues settled out of court. the clarity that a court decision on the issues Ask If You Aren’t Sure Wiped out by a fire that destroyed its may ultimately provide. If you want to replicate the staging of a rented space, costumes, sets and much Settlements notwithstanding, it remains production and if you don’t want to become memorabilia in February 2007, Rock Hill unclear to what extent the various creative a test case on the issue of stage direction Community Theatre has moved into a elements are copyrightable. There is also copyrights, you need to ask the licensing storefront in downtown Rock Hill, SC. a question about whether particular stage agency for its input on these issues for the “The former mayor of Rock Hill, Betty directions will be considered derivative particular play/musical you are planning to Jo Rhea, and her family made this building works of the play itself. It is likely that some produce. The licensing agency should be available to us for a reasonable amount elements are so clearly dictated by the script able to give you specific, practical advice and we are thrilled,” says Susan Smith, itself that your local production will present for the particular work. president of the board. those elements in essentially the same way But what about productions of public The space includes a lobby with bar, that the Broadway (or any other earlier) domain material? If the stage directions are bathrooms, space for a greenroom/dressing production presented them. indeed copyrightable, then the issues are room area, a costume storage room, room So, will you be accused of copying? Will just as applicable to productions of public for a small office, some storage, a paint sink the Urinetown police come to your the- domain material – and yet there is not a and a blackbox/studio performance space. atre next? The joint release suggests that licensing agency involved. “Sure, we can’t do The Sound of Music “through appropriate licensing mechanisms, If you’re staging a post-1978 work and in this space, but it is a start,” Smith says. local theatres can replicate the Broadway you want to stay on the safe side, ask the “We are so optimistic about the future.” productions with greater ease, having the director whose work you may be replicating blessing and, often times, the assistance of and/or ask an attorney for some specific greensboro College is expanding its the original creators.” advice. Are you copying another director’s production and performance space, thanks Here are some specific issues you should Hamlet? Ah, there’s the rub. to an anonymous donor’s gift. The college look at as a result of the settlement: Dan Ellison is a Durham, NC-based attorney plans to create a backstage technical theatre Find Out If Play’s Staging Is Licensed who has concentrated on arts-related law center for set design and production, two According to a representative of Music and nonprofit law for 15 years. He is a past full-size rehearsal spaces and a patio theatre Theatre International (MTI), there are five president and the current executive director area on a 3.76-acre tract that formerly was musicals in the MTI catalogue that have the of the North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers for the site of Sculptural Arts Coating, original staging available: West Side Story, the Arts. Have a question? E-mail him at: which has moved to a new location. (That Fiddler on the Roof, The Producers, The [email protected]. company is owned by John Saari, who World Goes ’Round and The Fantastiks. teaches at Greensboro, and his wife Lisa.) When you purchase rights to produce these Note: The contents of this column are intended for The donor who made the purchase possible musicals, you can create your own staging general information purposes only and should not be has pledged to match dollars raised in “The – or you can choose to license the Broad- construed as legal advice or legal opinion on any specific Standing Ovation!” fundraising campaign. way staging. (For some of these plays, the facts or circumstances. Southeastern Theatre Conference Non-Profit Organization P.O. Box 9868 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Greensboro, NC 27429-0868 GREENSBORO, NC AUTO PERMIT NO. 744

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President’s Column Where’s SETC in 2010? (Continued from Page 1) It starts with an ‘L’… SETC 2009 a workshop at the convention center. You don’t have a costume? You can n this issue of SETC News last Birmingham, AL March 4-8 rent one from a remarkable collection at I year, I asked readers to contact the Playhouse, a few blocks away from the me with location suggestions for convention center by trolley. Just return your SETC’s 2010 convention. One of those that costume outside the ballroom after the gala answered my call for ideas was Kentucky, Where to Send News between 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Couldn’t which offered not one, but two fabulous be easier! options. SETC News is published bimonthly The reasons for choosing the Masque Several SETC members, as well as for the Southeastern Theatre Confer- Gala theme are more than just to create Kentucky’s Executive From the ence. Deadline for the next issue is excitement around our 60th anniversary Director Doug Schutte, Executive Director January 4. celebration. Masks also will be part of a silent connected us to the auction fundraiser to enhance our Endow- convention and visitors Betsey Baun Please send news items to: ment Fund. Freddy Clements of Jacksonville bureaus in Louisville Deanna Thompson, Editor State University has contacted designers and Lexington. Phone: 336-292-6041 from all over the country, who will be donat- SETC’s site selec- Fax: 336-294-3292 ing masks for you to bid on. It’s a great way tion team visited both E-mail: [email protected] to add funds to our endowment – and thus, locations last summer. or to: our scholarships – while also enhancing your It was a very difficult Southeastern Theatre Conference costume or your “finest” with a one-of-a-kind decision, but we have P.O. Box 9868 mask. now made our selec- Greensboro, NC 27429-0868 Whether you bring a mask, make a mask, tion for the 2010 con- Phone: 336-272-3645 buy a mask or choose to go maskless, join vention location. Fax: 336-272-8810 us Saturday evening, March 7, in Birming- Drum roll... check the SETC website after E-mail: [email protected] ham for the party celebrating SETC’s 60th! January 1 for our announcement! Web site: www.setc.org/