WINTER 2009

THE MAGAZINE OF THE COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS

Collaboration with Theatre Memphis allows for lavish production of Cyrano

KNOX PHILLIPS HONORED WITH DEAN’S DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TERRA HOUSE WILL SHINE FOR RIBBON CUTTING

ccfa.memphis.edu 1 COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS WINTER 2009 Richard R. Ranta Dean Content Moira Logan Associate Dean

Patty Bladon College Development Director

Mary Mansour Business Officer

Laurie Snyder Assistant to the Dean A Message from the Dean for Undergraduate Programs Angie Hollis In the last issue of CCFA Voices I began my Dean’s letter by Academic Services Coordinator speaking of departures—saying farewell to our graduating students Simone Wilson and six retiring faculty members, several of whom entered the Public Relations and University’s post-retirement program. It never occurred to me that Outreach Coordinator I would be saying goodbye forever to Dr. Carol Purtle, the Benjamin Rawlins Professor of Art History. I expected to see her teaching ACADEMIC UNITS northern renaissance art history this spring. Carol and another dear friend, Dr. Keith Kennedy, professor emeritus, first director Michael Hagge of theatre at (then) Memphis State University, died within a week Chair, Department of Architecture of each other in December. Friends and family gathered at the U of M’s Main Stage on January 31st to celebrate Kennedy’s life with a memorial event. The new Richard Lou Chair, Department of Art electronic Journal of Historians of Netherlandish Art (JHNA), plans to dedicate its inaugural June In October, The Chamber Opera of Memphis in cooperation with the Scheidt School of Music presented the U.S. premier of “Pergolesi’s Home Service” at the University of Memphis. 2009 issue to the late Carol Purtle, one of the founders of Historians of Netherlandish Art and a Composer Bent Lorentzen’s sophisticated new version of the baroque Opera La Serva Padrona was directed by German stage director Michael Leinert, with Mark Ensley, Director of Leslie Luebbers Opera Studies at the School of Music and Music Director of The Chamber Opera, conducting from the keyboard. The cast included Susan Owen-Leinert, assistant professor of voice; major scholar of fifteenth-century Netherlandish art. Friends of both professors have initiated memo- Director, Art Museum April Hamilton, graduate student in music; Moira Logan, CCFA Associate Dean and Director of Research and Graduate Studies; and John Mueller, associate professor of trombone. rial funds in their honor and memory, and encourage you to give to the University of Memphis of the University of Memphis Foundation to help endow these funds. I didn’t anticipate more farewells, but due to extreme budget cuts at the University of Memphis Michael Leff Chair, Department of Communication in both fiscal year 2009 and 2010, the Tennessee Board of Regents approved a program of early retirement buyouts. Several CCFA faculty and staff members accepted the buyout. Gloria Baxter David Arant and Susan Chrietzberg, professors of theatre; Konnie Saliba and Joan Gilbert, professors of music; Chair, Department of Journalism Erin Hamilton, instructor at the Community Music School; Vivian Bradley, who had recently left the Department of Art to be the office assistant in the new Department of Architecture; and Tommy Randal Rushing CCFA 2 Centers, Institutes, and Affiliates Towery, the College’s long-time computer support provider. They will all be very much missed. Interim Director, Knox Phillips Honored with DAA Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music Baxter, Chrietzberg, and Gilbert entered the post-retirement program and will be with us in a limited 19 AMUM teaching capacity. It is unclear when—or if— we will be able to fill the vacated positions, because of Bob Hetherington Architecture 4 AMUM Expands Art Storage Space the state’s grave budget projections. Chair, Department of Theatre & Dance Michael Hagge Named Chair to Prepare for Accreditation Although there have been better financial times for the College of Communication and Fine Arts, of the Newly Established Department we are moving forward on many fronts. The magazine’s cover story about the University of Memphis- 20 CMA Voices is produced by the Theatre Memphis co-production of Cyrano is only one example of how CCFA “keeps moving Art 7 CMA Offers Exchange Program Office of the Dean, College of forward,” thanks to a great partnership with Theatre Memphis and a generous grant from the Jeniam Communication and Fine Arts, Arts Academy and Public Art Project in Digital Media at Hochschule Ulm Foundation. University of Memphis Aimed at University Neighborhood District We have moved aggressively to develop CCFA’s new Web site: ccfa.memphis.edu. The site is a 21 CSD Editor in Chief: Richard R. Ranta convenient tool to find out about our events and news, or to tune in to “WUMR U92 FM,” which is Communication 9 TERRA House Will Shine now streaming online and broadcasting 24 hours a day. We also want to make sure that you have Editor: Simone Wilson Design: A. Christopher Drown Michael Leff Elected President of the for Ribbon Cutting in February unlimited access to this magazine, as this may be one of the last printed versions of Voices. Production Assistant: Susan Prater Rhetoric Society of America As we advance in the field of electronic communication we encourage our readers and friends to Printing: Peerless Printing 21 WUMR provide us with their e-mail addresses. We want you to be part of CCFA, share our successes and Journalism 10 Radiothon, Live Streaming and More learn about our achievements through our stories. Photos: Bryan Blankenship, Lisa Francisco-Abitz, Exchange Program with Germany Has While the cuts in state funding are a serious problem for higher education, know that we will do Michael Hagge, David Horan, Lindsey Lissau, Carol Morse, Michael Schmidt, Eric Wilson Profound Impact on Students everything possible to keep CCFA the place of high quality programs and education that it has been 22 Advancing the Creative Process for more than 30 years. Your help will be vital to our success. Remember the College, departments Contributing Writers: Alice Berry, Music 13 23 Friends of the College and professors who have meant so much to you and mean as much to the education of today’s Lisa Francisco-Abitz, Michael Hagge, Lurene Kelley, Taking Challenges in Stride— Shirley Oakley, Patty Bladon students, by giving to our funds, such as the new Kennedy or Purtle endowments or others of The University Singers Enchant Austria your choice. Online giving is now available on CCFA’s Web site. Checks payable to the University of 27 Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni Memphis Foundation should be mailed to: Please send address changes Theatre & Dance 16 Department 238 and copy corrections to: Collaboration with Theatre Memphis The University of Memphis Foundation Allows for Lavish Production of Cyrano On the cover: Jerre Dye, U of M Theatre alumnus plays P. O. Box 1000 The College of Communication Cyrano de Bergerac a University of Memphis-Theatre Memphis Memphis, TN 38148-0001 and Fine Arts co-production of Cyrano that runs through March1. Attn: Simone Wilson CFA Building, Room 232 Don’t think that any gift is too small. All gifts make a difference and are deeply appreciated. Memphis, TN 38152 CCFA ADVISORY BOARD Ward Archer, Bob Chandler, Dean Deyo, Bob Eoff, Art Gilliam, Herman Markell, Judy McCown, Charlotte Neal, Michael Osborn, Steve Pacheco, Mike Palazola, James Patterson, Chris Peck, Knox Phillips, David Porter, Frank Ricks, Mickey Robinson, Rudi Scheidt Sr., Jack Soden, Michael Wischmeyer Richard R. Ranta, Dean Emeritus: Richard Lightman, Beverly Ross College of Communication and Fine Arts 2 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 1 CCFA CCFA Remembers Keith Kennedy and Carol Purtle

The College of Communication and Fine Arts is saddened by the loss of retired faculty members Keith Kennedy and Carol Purtle. Keith Kennedy, former director of Theatre at what was then Memphis State University and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance (then the Department of Speech and Drama), died December 17, 2008 of conges- tive heart failure. Although Kennedy will be remembered for the many plays he directed during his time at the University, the production, that is most often associated with him is Hair, staged at Memphis State in March 1970. The University’s was the first non-profes- sional production of the controversial anti- war musical and brought a record audience to Knox Phillips, pictured with U of M President Shirley Raines, was honored with CCFA’s Distinguished Achievement Award in October. the campus theatre. After 20 years at the University, Kennedy wanted to “find one more big adventure,” and Knox Phillips Honored took early retirement in 1986 to pursue that dream and continue directing plays in local Keith Kennedy (top left) and Josie Helming at CCFA’s Carol Purtle, Benjamin Rawlins Professor of Art History, with Distinguished Achievement Award retired faculty luncheon this past September. Keith Ken- was one of the world’s foremost experts on Jan Van Eyck. theaters. In 1992, Kennedy was one of three nedy was most often associated with the production of She retired from the U of M in May 2008. Hair at Memphis State in March 1970. The legendary Rendezvous restaurant nurturing talent and creating opportunities honoree’s role in the success of Memphis as a University employees to receive the Martin in downtown Memphis was the location for for musicians and music in his home town. global music force. Luther King, Jr. Human Rights Achievement more time for research and travel after her Jan van Eyck, a preeminent Flemish painter CCFA’s 2008 Distinguished Achievement Post, widely recognized for the scores of such In the liner notes of the film’s DVD pro- Award. In 1996, he received the Eugart long career of teaching at the U of M. She of the 15th century. She was in the process Award this past October. U of M President popular television series as “Law and Order,” vided to each guest at the luncheon, Phillips Yerian Award for lifetime theater service. died unexpectedly on December 12, 2008. of finishing her latest book on Van Eyck, Shirley Raines, CCFA Dean Richard Ranta, “Hill Street Blues,” and “The Rockford is quoted, saying, “Music offers us freedom Recently retired from the Department Purtle was a founding member of the noted Looking at Jan van Eyck: The Art and Science the College Advisory Board and more than Files,” praised Phillips’ remarkable dedica- of expression. It is the greatest avenue for of Art, Carol Purtle, Benjamin Rawlins Historians of Netherlandish Art, and is con- of Painting, which is scheduled for publica- 200 friends, fans and family members were tion to the industry including his founding of human connection for good there is. To have Professor of Art History, had hoped to find sidered one of the world’s foremost experts on tion this year. on hand for the luncheon honoring Knox the important local chapter of the National been able to revel in that since I was a little Phillips, whose behind the scenes dedication Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences kid—man, I tell you, it’s been a life well and creative energies have helped keep the (NARAS). He also gave kudos to the extraor- spent.” Jordan Stonecipher (right), freshman in the Memphis music industry going and growing dinary film tribute to Phillips created for the Sponsors for the 2008 award included the Department of Art, and Richard Ranta, Dean for decades. event by Steve Ross, U of M professor of film. Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation, FedEx of the College of Communication and Fine Phillips’ long time friend Mike Post, famed Many of the well-known community and Corporation, Memphis Music Foundation, Arts, at the Three Stars of Tennessee inaugu- film and television music composer, ar- industry figures who contributed testimoni- Charles Vergos Rendezvous and Ardent ral exhibition of Tennessee artifacts, fine and rived from Los Angeles just in time to join als to the film also attended the event to Music. applied art, in Jackson. Stonecipher, a native of the festive salute to Phillips’ 40 years of demonstrate the value and importance of the Jackson, was chosen to draw a portrait of the city’s namesake and seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson. Her charcoal The College of Communication and Fine Arts has recently updated its Web site with more informa- drawing was unveiled during the exhibition’s tion for future and current students, faculty, and members in the community. We created the new preview party on October 30, 2008. Also pres- Web site as a news and events tool for those who want a convenient way to keep up with our pro- ent for the event was Jon Meacham, editor of grams, workshops, exhibitions, plays, and performances. The Web site is also intended as a resource Newsweek, and author of the bestselling book for finding out about our degree programs, scholarships, study abroad, employment opportunities, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White and the many other options we offer our students, faculty, and staff. As we move toward a more House. environmentally and budget friendly way of communication, we encourage you to visit us online at ccfa.memphis.edu where you can submit your e-mail address to receive our news updates and monthly events calendar, as well as the “e” version of this magazine.

2 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 3 ARCHITECTURE In their courses, students work with com- M.Arch program, was accepted to several learning communities, the work in the com- munity partners on real and theoretical proj- outstanding Master of Architecture programs, munity, the partnership with the University’s ects, such as designing neighborhood parks, but chose to remain in Memphis. School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy Michael Hagge Named Chair affordable housing, or a performing arts “My experience with Michael [Hagge] has (SUAPP), national recognition for the center. They stay in touch with the clients’ been very enlightening. He is a very inspiring Department, and the students’ and faculty’s of the Newly Established Department of Architecture needs as well as those of the community in person, who cares for his students. Although awards and accomplishments. which the project exists. he is well known and recognized, he remains “None of this would have been possible In August 2008, Michael Hagge, associ- The students know the demanding courses down to earth, able to maintain a friendly dia- without the commitment and shared vision ate professor of architecture, was appointed and long hours of preparation will pay off. log on a high level of professionalism.” of the whole department— faculty, staff, and chair of the Department of Architecture. The Since the BFA in Architecture was estab- The Department has built a solid reputa- students,” Hagge says. “Being part of CCFA Department was established just a month lished eight years ago, all of the U of M’s tion for its commitment to inter-disciplinary and earning the support of the administration earlier, by moving the existing architec- architecture graduates applying to M.Arch engaged research. Hagge believes that and the professional community has also been ture and interior design programs from the programs across the nation have been ac- professionals have a responsibility to “give significant.” Department of Art. With the Department’s cepted. Many of the schools accepting the back” to the community. This belief is not “Okay,” Hagge nods to the waiting student. inauguration came the first students, admitted students are among the most prestigious in lost on the students in the department, most “Presentations are due in studio next week to the newly established professional Master the United States. Now, with the M.Arch in of whom are active in student and civic and the students are working on final modifi- of Architecture (M.Arch) degree. place, some students make the Memphis organizations. cations to their designs,” Hagge explains as “People often ask why I was interested in program their top choice. When asked about his accomplishments, he walks off with the student. this position” Hagge says as he motions, “five Alzbeta Bowden, a Czech native and U Hagge’s focus is on the Department: The —By Lauren Chapman minutes,” to a student with a study model, of M alumna now enrolled in the U of M’s Master of Architecture degree, the living waiting outside his office. “Our students are one of the main reasons; being able to engage everybody in the department in meaningful community-based projects is another.” Hagge is used to the demands of his new From Ordinary to Extraordinary: position, having led the student-centered BFA Department of Architecture Receives Two in architecture program since 2002, two years Strengthening Communities Grants after the program re-located to the College of Communication and Fine Arts from the In 2008, the Department of Architecture College of Engineering. Hagge’s passion for received two grants from the 2008 architecture, urban design, and teaching is Strengthening Communities Initiatives apparent in his pursuits of the best hands-on Program, funded through the University of experiences and learning opportunities for his Memphis, the Community Foundation of students, his leadership and the Department’s Greater Memphis, and the United Way of the impact on the community. “As department Mid-South. The Department of Architecture chair I’m in the perfect situation to bring all was the only U of M department that received of these aspects together,” Hagge says. two grants. The Strengthening Communities Part of establishing the Department of Program focuses on bringing together aca- Architecture in July 2008 was launching demic and non-profit community partners the graduate level professional Master of to address various issues in the community, Architecture degree. When creating the cur- such as education, housing, and safety. riculum for the M.Arch, Hagge, other faculty Michael Hagge The Department of Architecture’s members, and professionals in the Memphis “Ordinary to Extraordinary: Living and community looked for models at some of the to fit our specific needs—the result is a “Michael [Hagge] has been one of the most Leading Green (O2E:LLG)” proposal, devel- best architecture programs in the country. demanding and well respected curriculum influential professors in my educational expe- oped in collaboration with BRIDGES USA, Michael Hagge (left rear) and Kate Bidwell (right rear) work with architecture and city planning students to develop a Hagge earned his M.Arch from Virginia Tech, that produces outstanding graduates,” Hagge rience,” says fourth-year Interior Design stu- math and science curriculum that teaches environmentally sound building and neighborhood design was one of five funded proposals under the one of the top architecture schools in the says. “Now, we are working on improving our dent Heather Dacus. “There has never been 2008 grant program. The department also country, and the Memphis program naturally Interior Design curriculum.” a time when I could not find him to answer a in Memphis’ Binghamton neighborhood. seventh graders about sustainable design. received a Strengthening Communities Small includes components from his Alma Mater. Although the Interior Design program is a question. He has helped me with class proj- Michael Hagge, chair of the Department The curriculum will be implemented in Grant Award for the Caritas Peace Garden “We asked ourselves, what kind of archi- new responsibility for Hagge, he is proud of ects and professional development. I know of Architecture, leads the O2E:LLG project Memphis’ Humes, Vance, and Bellevue at Caritas Village, a non-profit community tecture program and department do we want its recent re-accreditation, and the program’s my educational experience would not be the along with third-year architecture student middle schools. After completing the in-class center, coffee shop and cultural art center in to be? We combined our faculty’s experiences curriculum is one of his main priorities for same without his advice and guidance.” Kate Bidwell. The outcome of the project is sessions, students will take a field trip to the the old Masonic Temple on Harvard Avenue and implemented ideas from other schools the immediate future. a math and science curriculum that teaches BRIDGES building and the TERRA demon-

4 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 5 stration house, both examples of sustainable The Caritas Peace Garden project in the completion of the design of the transi- ART design, located in the Uptown neighborhood. Memphis’ Binghamton neighborhood, funded tional residence, and the design and program- “The O2E:LLG project will inspire leader- by the Strengthening Communities Small ming of the garden space. The project will ship,” says Mollie Merry, program coordinator Grant Award, is led by Chere Doiron, assis- also fund a competition for public art, and the for BRIDGES. “It takes the sustainability tant professor of Interior Design. design and fabrication of exterior signage. concepts the students learn in the classroom “We have been given the opportunity to “When academic experiences can be and teaches them in a very hands-on way how help improve this neighborhood and are cur- integrated into actual projects within the to put those things into tangible action steps rently designing a transition house to go on community, student learning is immeasur- they can do in their own life.” BRIDGES the adjoining lot with the Caritas house. This ably enriched,” says Doiron. “What’s most hopes to bring additional schools into the same lot will also contain the Peace Garden,” profound to many of the students is how their program next semester. explains Hannah Huggins, third-year interior designs impact quality of life issues.” U of M Foundation Studio art students work on murals at the Peddler Bike Shop and the Goodwill store on Highland. “As professionals, we have an obligation design student. to give back to the community,” says Hagge. In January, Doiron and her third-year “This is an excellent way to do that and to interior design students expanded their work Arts Academy and Public Art Project involve our students in meaningful commu- with community partners on the project which Aimed at University Neighborhood District nity engagement.” includes public meetings and an exhibition, When the Department of Art received a foster positive youth development through art, It focuses on developing community-based art This past August, the University of grant from the Strengthening Communities and we want to do it in a community setting.” that reflects the community’s character and Memphis learned that the Master of Initiative for its proposal of a Saturday In the spring of 2008, Heise collaborated provides a voice for its residents. Architecture degree was approved for arts academy for middle school students in a four-month art-based pilot project with “We started the project in my Foundation accreditation Candidacy from the Na- and a public art project in the University the Art Museum of the University of Memphis Studio I this past fall,” Nordbye says. “To tional Architectural Accrediting Board Neighborhood District, Donalyn Heise, as- (AMUM) and faculty from the Department of get a feeling for the community we attended (NAAB). The NAAB grants Candidacy sistant professor of art education, felt that the Art at the Charles Powell Community Center neighborhood association meetings and status to new professional architecture grant described precisely what she and her in Southwest Memphis, which was funded talked to the residents to find out how they degree programs that have devel- colleagues set out to do. by an Access and Diversity grant from the see their neighborhood and what type of oped viable plans for achieving initial “I love the name of the grant,” Heise says. Tennessee Board of Regents. For the project, public art they would like to incorporate into accreditation. Although the NAAB “Strengthening Communities—that’s exactly a group of middle and high school students their neighborhood.” only accredits the professional degree what we are doing.” came together every Saturday for art lectures Nordbye and his students are in the process program, the team reviewed the vari- ous elements of the pre-professional For Heise, who will receive The National and workshops, field trips to local museums of painting a mural on the north wall of the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture Art Education Association’s Beverly Levett and galleries, and hands-on art projects that Goodwill building on Highland. The mural is degree as well. In its report, the NAAB Gerber Special Needs Lifetime Achievement culminated in a final photo exhibition at based on photographs and statements of some team complimented the faculty for Award this spring, the grant means that she AMUM. of the residents that were interviewed. In a the passion and commitment that can continue and expand work she has done “What the Strengthening Communities second step, the students submitted proposals they bring to the education of their with similar community-strengthening art grant allows us to do is build on our previous for additional art projects for the neighbor- students, and noticed the enthusiasm, projects in the past. experience, and hopefully establish a com- hood, five of which will be funded through the camaraderie, and joy with which the In 2005, Heise was able to add the alterna- munity art program that is permanent. Our grant. students approach their studies. The tive art practicum to the curriculum for art long-term goal is a community art center with In the meantime, Heise and her students team also noted that the program education students. In addition to the tradi- staff and a permanent location that provides have been preparing for the spring’s art possesses an impressive energy and tional elementary, middle and high school after school art activities for students as well academy. The program’s community partner is vitality, which provides critical vis- art practicum, students can now choose an as art programs for others in the community,” the Mason YMCA on Walker, which currently ibility for the program as well as the alternative setting and teach art to children Heise says. offers a once-a-month youth art program university. and adults with special needs, individuals For the current project, Heise’s focus is focused on conflict resolution. Candidacy status indicates that a program should be accredited with behavior disorders, victims of domestic on the University Neighborhood District “Working with community organizations within six years. “Having an accredited violence, or homeless and elderly individuals. and students from the surrounding schools. like the YMCA is very helpful for us because degree in architecture is something “Our goal with all these community proj- The district includes the Normal Station a lot of the infrastructure is already in place,” we have been working on for longer ects is two-fold. They are not only an excel- Historic Neighborhood, the East Buntyn Heise says. “Those collaborations also make than some of our current students lent way to prepare students for teaching in Historic Neighborhood, the Joffre Area a difference in how we impact the community. have been alive,” says Michael Hagge, a diverse, urban classroom, but also to look Civic Neighborhood, and the Red Acres It’s a real-world experience and not some- chair of the Department of Architec- at ‘art making’ in a different way,” Heise ex- Neighborhood. thing that we create in a lab and then take out ture. “This step would not be possible plains. “I’m interested in art as a tool to foster Cedar Nordbye, assistant professor of art, into the real world to see if it works. It’s real without the continued support from resilience, a tool to discover identity, to find leads a public art project as part of the de- world all the way.” the professional community and the a voice. With the arts academy, we want to partment’s Strengthening Communities grant. University administration.”

6 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 7 ART COMMUNICATION Michael Leff Elected President of the Rhetoric Society of America

Michael Leff, chair of the Department of Communication, will become president of the Rhetoric Society of America (RSA) this summer. The RSA was organized in 1968, and the majority of its members come from departments of communication or English, but disciplines such as lin- guistics, philosophy, history, political science, and sociology are also rep- resented. The Society publishes the journal, Rhetoric Society Quarterly. Before and after: The lighting studio in building 47 on the Uiniversity’s Park Avenue campus is part of a 5,000 square feet space that was given to the Department of Art to accommo- RSA is a member of the Alliance of Rhetoric Societies and recently has date six graduate studios, a book arts studio for students in printmaking, and a student gallery. been admitted to the American Council of Learned Societies. Voices met with Michael Leff to learn about his new role and about the Department of Art Receives Studio Space Rhetoric Society and its functions. on the University’s Park Avenue Campus Q. Do you have any specific goals as the Society’s new president? A. My first objective is to focus on the 2010 biennial convention in Minneapolis. Another major issue has to do with the growth of RSA; Faculty, staff, students, and friends of the raphy have their own studio, and because Lou also expects that the new space will be it has nearly tripled its membership during the past decade—how do Department of Art have contributed more of space limitations, Bachelor of Fine Arts an invaluable recruiting tool for undergradu- you sustain the culture and purposes of what was a relatively small and than 600 volunteer hours, renovating a sec- seniors can only show their thesis work in a ate and graduate students. friendly group when it evolves into something much larger? Finally, I tion of “Building 47” on the University’s Park group exhibition. “Art departments of our size typically have would like to encourage greater interaction between our Society and Avenue campus. The Department’s pro- “This is not an ideal situation for our three to four gallery spaces at their disposal,” similar organizations in other parts of the world. As rhetorical studies posal to the University’s Space and Planning students,” says Richard Lou, chair of the Lou says. “Of course it’s important for our have gained momentum, international interest has increased rapidly. Committee emphasized that the approximate- Department of Art. “Nationally it is common students to be resourceful and creative in Q. When and why did you become a member of the Rhetoric Society? Michael Leff ly 5,000 square foot section of the building practice that graduating BFA students have regard to finding locations that will show their A. I became a member more than thirty years ago. It was a small would be used to expand gallery and studio solo exhibitions. We hope that adding the work and we encourage them to find venues organization then, and it offered the only venue for meeting others who space for art students. The photographic space in Building 47 to our inventory of art in the community; however, lab galleries Q. When did you first become interested in rhetorical studies and what studied rhetoric but were not in a department of communication, or of lighting studio is complete, and six gradu- studios and galleries will bring us closer to are a very important educational component led to devote your career to the study of rhetoric and public address? speech, as it was then called. RSA serves a unique purpose because ate studios, a book arts studio for students accomplishing this goal. The additional space because students will be able to get hands- A. As an undergraduate, I was on the debate team, and, in part there is no other place where people interested in rhetoric can converge in printmaking, and a student gallery are will definitely help students work towards a on gallery experience that prepares them for because of that, I took a course in argumentation. My debate coach and and talk about mutual interests. almost finished. Currently very few of the more consistent and larger body of work for their future artistic careers.” argumentation instructor, Forbes Hill, was also a specialist in classi- Q. Rhetoric often carries with it a negative connotation, and many Department’s graduate students in photog- their senior show. ” people are confused about its status as an academic subject. Could you cal rhetoric. One of the main attractions for me was the constructively clarify what you and members of RSA mean by “rhetoric”? ambiguous status of rhetorical studies. Rebekah Laurenzi, 2008 BFA graduate with a A. Some of the common definitions of rhetoric are: the art of per- Rhetoric and public address can be approached as a kind of academic concentration in sculpture, was the first BFA senior suasion, the art of discovering the available means of persuasion, the discipline, but it also almost necessarily forces consideration of other chosen by the Department of Art for a solo exhibi- study and practice of persuasion in civic affairs, the art of adapting disciplinary domains—history, psychology, logic, political science, and tion in Jones Hall Gallery. “Putting together a solo discourse to its end, the effort to influence those addressed by modify- the like. I thought of rhetoric as both disciplinary and interdisciplinary. exhibition is a great experience and we felt that it ing or strengthening their representations of the surrounding world, and This combination of tidiness and messiness intrigued me from the mo- was important to make that experience available,” the study and practice of symbolic inducement. In the most narrow and ment I recognized it. says Richard Lou, chair of the Department of Art. traditional sense, rhetoric has to do with persuasion about public or civic Rhetoric also involves an organic connection between teaching and Laurenzi learned about the award this past spring research. To teach rhetoric requires mastery of an academic body of and worked all summer on the pieces for concerns, and the most obvious examples of its use would be in political knowledge but it also entails application and adaptation of such knowl- I Measure the Shakes. “This was my first solo show speeches or written polemics. edge in order to work with students learning how to speak, persuade, and and it was definitely challenging, but also a very The scope of rhetoric, however, has been extended to include almost argue. And the process also works in the other direction, since experi- rewarding experience,” Laurenzi says. “I had to every mode of communication, such as the rhetoric of paintings and ence in the classroom teaches the rhetorician important lessons about create a body of work in three months, and luckily illustrations, of ritual performances, of public monuments, of musical how practice informs theory. This position at the intersection between the there were many components, such as funding compositions, of novels and poems, of documentary and fiction films, and finding a location, that I didn’t have to worry and—more recently—of digital messages. Perhaps the common de- practice of teaching and contemplation of a subject makes rhetoric spe- about. I had an opportunity to fully immerse myself nominator here is concern about the way that symbol systems influence cial for me, makes it a unique place in the modern research university in creating the art work.” The solo show award will human thought and action. It is important to understand that rhetoric is where it is possible to be a research scholar and a teacher at the same be given annually to a BFA senior selected by a time and without suffering from a divided professional psyche. Rebekah Laurenzi, Cranes, 2008, cardboard, thread, papier-mâché, nails. a mutable concept that changes as it is conceived for different purposes committee within the Department of Art. and applied to different objects.

8 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 9 JOURNALISM “I also tell students that having studied “I definitely think that spending a year was great that students get to see a lot of the abroad is what will set them apart from others abroad is much more beneficial than going for games for free. I spent a lot of time at the Exchange when applying for a job after they graduate,” just one semester. It takes about one semester campus recreation center playing pick-up Program with Laumann says. “A study abroad experience is to get used to the new environment and the games, and I got to meet Derrick Rose—that’s Germany Has a must on the resumés of many of our foreign somewhat different University system. During huge.” exchange students. European employers the second semester you can just enjoy being Academically, Eufinger was impressed with Profound Impact expect their new hires to have experienced a an exchange student and not worry about his classes, which he says presented journal- on Students foreign country and culture. figuring out how to register, where to buy train ism from a more practical point of view, and Derek Brown had no doubt that he would or subway tickets, where to shop for grocer- the fact that he was allowed to host his own study abroad and because his major is ies, and all those things you had to figure out show on WUMR U92 FM, the U of M’s radio What grew from a partnership between German, choosing m3+zdf seemed like the during the first few months.” station. German television executive Fritz Hattig and obvious choice. Andreas Eufinger, a journalism student at “I always thought I would end up in former University of Memphis professor of “I did most of the research myself and the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, radio, and my time in Memphis gave me the journalism and Hardin Chair of Excellence, even though the U of M has other bilateral used the m3+zdf exchange program to study confidence to really pursue this career goal,” Jim Willis, is now a full-blown bilateral exchange programs with Germany, I chose in Memphis this past spring. He also had to Eufinger says. exchange program for U of M students and Mainz because growing up in a small town overcome the initial culture shock and the “Studying abroad is a completely life- students from Germany. near Jackson, I wanted to be in a larger city.” fact that before his semester at the U of M changing experience,” Brown echoes. “I know Initially a professional development pro- Although Brown was prepared and ready he had never been away from home for an it sounds corny, but it’s true. Academically gram for broadcast journalists and camera- for his study abroad experience, he acknowl- extended period of time. it might not affect students as much, but the men of German public television station ZDF, edges the initial culture shock when arriving “I was very nervous at first, but the experi- personal growth and the cultural experience m3+zdf is now an exchange program that in Germany. ence turned out to be amazing,” Eufinger is just amazing. Of course it’s hard at times, allows U of M students to study journalism says. “I’m a huge sports fan and thought it but the reward is unbelievable.” and related fields at one of three universities Andreas Eufinger (right), German exchange student who came to the University of Memphis with the m3+zdf exchange program, with WUMR broadcast engineer Jerald White. in the Frankfurt area (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz University of Hayden’s point is supported by the fact that “We had one student who filled out the Applied Sciences, Wiesbaden University of in the European Union, the language with the application and paid the $350 application fee Applied Sciences), and add an internship at largest number of native speakers is German, twice and then decided not to go after all,” Journalism and U of M Alumni the prestigious ZDF. and that a lot of people in Scandinavian and Laumann says. “The sad part is that there’s “This is a huge opportunity for our stu- Honored at Annual Awards Dinner Eastern European countries, as well as The still a lot of misconception about studying dents,” says Joe Hayden, assistant professor Netherlands, speak some German. abroad. One is that it will affect a student’s of journalism in charge of the program at the “Students who plan to spend a year abroad graduation date and the other is that only the The University of Memphis Journalism directing production, conceptualizing special Stax Music Academy. Parker was the Director University of Memphis. “We don’t limit this will probably get the most out of this pro- few, more fortunate students can afford to Alumni Club honored three outstanding U projects, and contributing to the improvement of Publicity, Artists and Community Relations opportunity to journalism students, but the gram,” says Karl Renner, professor of journal- study abroad, and that’s not true.” of M alumni accomplished in the field of of the overall look of the magazine. He has for Stax Records. Before taking the position at internship at ZDF is a once in a lifetime op- ism at Johannes Gutenberg University in According to Laumann, 95 percent of stu- journalism this past October at its annual been Ebony’s managing editor for more than a Soulsville, she was the vice president of com- portunity for our students. German journal- Mainz, who oversees the program in Germany. dents who apply for a study abroad program Journalism Awards Dinner. decade now. munications and marketing at the Regional ism majors would give an arm and a leg to be “It is designed so that American students are able to receive the Center’s study abroad Journalism alumni Walter Leavy (BA, ’75), Paul Jewell formed his love of journalism Medical Center in Memphis, the assistant considered for an internship there and for our can take an intensive German language scholarship in addition to any stipends the managing editor of Ebony magazine, and at a young age. His first paid job with The director of Memphis in May, and the 1996 students it basically gets tagged on to their course in the summer, enroll in classes for the host country may offer to foreign exchange Paul Jewell (BA, ’78), marketing director Commercial Appeal was as a paperboy. He interim director for the MIM Festival salut- study abroad trip.” fall semester, do an internship at ZDF and students. for The Commercial Appeal, were presented returned to the paper after college and has ing Brazil. Parker is a past recipient of the However, Hayden also knows that the enroll in classes again for the spring semes- “What’s most important is that the students with the Charles E. Thornton Outstanding worked at the C.A. for more than 30 years. University of Memphis Distinguished Alumni language barrier keeps many students from ter, arriving back home just in time for their think about studying abroad early in their Alumni Award. Deanie Parker (BPS, ’77), His positions have included news editorial Award and PRSA’s (Public Relations Society considering Germany as an option for a study fall semester to start.” college career,” Laumann says. “That doesn’t retired CEO and President of the Soulsville assistant, copywriter and manager of creative of America) Memphis Communicator of the abroad program and the internship requires Spending that much time away from home mean that they have to go abroad in their Foundation, received the Herbert Lee services, and most recently director of mar- Year. students to have conversational skills in and possibly delaying graduation is another junior year, but they should make studying Williams Award. keting. Jewell has served as past president Proceeds from the Journalism Awards German. consideration that often keeps U of M stu- abroad part of their master plan.” Walter Leavy cut his journalistic teeth at of the Journalism Alumni board and on the Dinner go to the newly endowed Elinor “We promote the exchange program with dents put. Rebecca Laumann, Study Abroad Laumann advises students to inquire about The Daily Helmsman and went on to become board of the University’s National Alumni Grusin-Journalism Alumni Enrichment Fund. students who are taking German classes, but Director at U of M’s Center for International study abroad options at least a year prior to a sports reporter for the now defunct Memphis Association. Money from the fund will provide for a variety I also tell my journalism students to consider Programs and Services, knows that many actually leaving, ideally sooner. That way she Press-Scimitar. In 1980, he set his sights Deanie Parker earned both a bachelor of of expenses that benefit U of M journalism taking German to fulfill their degree’s lan- students like the idea of studying abroad but and the student’s adviser can look at the cur- on Chicago-based Ebony magazine. Leavy professional studies and master of public ad- students, including academic enrichment guage requirement,” Hayden says. “It’s really tend to get cold feet when faced with leaving riculum and find classes that will transfer to has held several editorial positions at Ebony ministration (’88) from the U of M. She is the activities, student travel to conferences and a smart choice, especially for students who their friends and family behind for a semester make the experience academically as well as magazine, in which he was responsible for retired CEO and president of the Soulsville professional meetings, research support, have a remote interest in foreign relations or or two. personally meaningful. writing and editing a wide range of articles, Foundation, which brought Memphis the Stax awards, and scholarships. want to work as a journalist abroad.” Museum of American Soul Music and the

10 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 11 MUSIC David Arant Taking Challenges Becomes Chair in Stride— of the Department The University of Journalism Singers Enchant Austria David Arant isn’t a stranger in the Department of Journalism. He was a professor When telling the story of how the University in the department and the program’s gradu- Singers captured Austria and won the admira- ate studies coordinator for ten years before tion of many other nations during a trip abroad becoming the associate dean of U of M’s this past July, Lawrence Edwards, director University College in 2002. Although Arant of choral activities at the Scheidt School of continued to teach one journalism class every Music, still seems amazed. year, he spent most of his time during the past “It was the first time in probably 20 years six years providing day-to-day leadership for that the University Singers went abroad, and the interdisciplinary studies college. Now what the students experienced was absolutely Arant is back at the Meeman building after incredible. It will leave a lasting impression,” being appointed chair of the Department of Edwards says. Journalism last summer. The University Singers, the Music Schools’ “I’m excited to be back in the journalism flagship choir, is a mixed ensemble of 50 to 70 department,” Arant says. “I’ve always stayed The University Singers during the competition in Spittal. undergraduate and graduate students, perform- connected to the program and my colleagues, ing choral literature from the 14th through the and when the opportunity to lead the depart- Conservatory in Graz, Austria, who was part put up the flags of the participating countries 20th centuries. ment came up, I knew I didn’t want to miss of UTA’s 2007 choral symposium. Familiar outside the concert hall, which seemed very “To a certain extent, the University Singers the chance to return.” David Arant with the University Singers, Ling-Tam, a judge grand,” Edwards remembers. “Everybody was take on the role of ambassador for the U of Arant is familiar with the U of M and the for the choir competition in Spittal, suggested extremely serious during the pre-competition M and the Music School, giving off-campus department, but it hardly gave him a head With an undergraduate degree in psychol- Coming to a crossroad yet again, Arant that Herzog visit the U of M to work with the meeting. The judges wanted to know every concerts in local churches and throughout the start in his new position. The boxes in his ogy from Davidson College in North Carolina, decided to pursue a career in journalism aca- concert choir for a few days before returning to little detail so that during the competition they community,” Edwards says. offices are not yet unpacked, his calendar is Arant initially wanted to get into the field of demia in the late 1980s, receiving his M.A. Austria. knew we weren’t making mistakes but had During the choir’s trip to Germany and packed with meetings and events, and yet, clinical psychology. in journalism from the University of South “Franz was impressed with our choir and made adjustments to the music.” Austria, more than 30 of Edwards’ singers had he finds time to meet one-on-one with cur- “I realized that I wasn’t cut out for that Carolina in Columbia, and his Ph.D. in Mass invited us to the World Choir Games in Graz,” Trying to keep up with the German instruc- a chance to show the world what’s happening at rent and former students, advocate for the kind of work after an internship at Broughton Communication from the University of North Edwards remembers. tions as best as possible, Edwards understood the U of M. program, implement new online courses, and Hospital [in Morganton, North Carolina],” Carolina at Chapel Hill. Herzog, one of the artistic directors of quickly that this was an unbelievable op- The 17-day trip took the group to the 45th yes, teach a journalism class. he admits. “It takes that special person who It seems like Arant’s career took many the 5th World Choir Games, mentioned the portunity for his choir. Having promised his International Competition for Choirs at the “That’s the fun part,” Arant says with a can accept that after years and years of work twists and turns, but looking back at it all University Singers to Hellmuth Drewes, students a fun trip abroad with some singing Castle of Porcia in Spittal an der Drau, Austria, smile. “That and working with the faculty to patients still might make very little progress.” he feels that the positions he held and the his father-in-law and director of the Choir here and there, Edwards now realized that and to the 5th World Choir Games in Graz, create a new converged curriculum.” Arant went on to receive his Master of degrees he earned were put to good use. Competition in Spittal, and before Edwards his students would hardly get a break from Austria. In Spittal, the University Singers As new department chair, Arant finds him- Divinity degree at Emory University and “Part of being a clergyman is to counsel knew it, his students were slated to compete demanding rehearsals, the challenging com- competed with nine other choirs from around self in a somewhat unique situation because worked as pastor for the United Methodist and provide guidance, and my psychol- in this international event with choirs from petition and the performances that lay ahead the world. In Graz, they were one of the non- almost half of his faculty members are new Church in South Carolina until 1986, which ogy degree was a good preparation for that. Indonesia, Sweden, Bulgaria, South Africa, in Graz. competing choirs featured in two performances, professors who joined the department during is where he also got involved in communica- Advising students and helping them with Slovenia, and the Philippines, among others. “We really didn’t have enough time to one of which was televised nationally. the past six years. tion and public relations. career decisions is a similar experience. “We were completely surprised and excited rehearse the mandatory pieces and the “The annual competition in Spittal is “Three long-time professors retired last “I worked in communications and public At the University College I was in charge to find so many people who do and love what students were aware of the stellar competi- invitational. About 80 choirs apply each year, year so with the new hires we have many new, relations for the United Methodist Conference of interdisciplinary studies program, which we do. It’s like realizing that there are others tion,” Edwards says. “The Singers weren’t as but only ten are chosen for the competition,” young and talented people in the department while serving as a minister in South Carolina,” included religious studies, so I never felt any who speak your language even though they are confident and made a few mistakes.” Edwards says. “That we were invited to partici- at this point,” Arant explains. “They bring a Arant says. “That’s when I realized that I en- of my degrees or professional experience were from different parts of the world,” says Mikah Assuming that they would make last place, pate as the only choir form the United States lot of enthusiasm and new ideas to the pro- joyed journalistic work, and then went to work wasted,” Arant says. Meyer,” a senior music performance major. the students decided they had nothing to was through a connection with Jing Ling-Tam, gram, which is great.” full time editing the South Carolina United “I see work as a calling, and not only as a For the competition, the U of M choir had to lose during their choice performance, which director of choral studies at the University of Arant didn’t map out a career in journal- Methodist Advocate, the church’s weekly means to an end. I enjoy helping others, and prepare three obligatory works and a program included the choir’s signature piece, Eric Texas at Arlington (UTA).” From Ling-Tam, ism for himself. In fact, he discovered his newspaper. So I traded my clergyman position the journalism department truly feels like my of its choice, for which Edwards selected three Whitacre’s “Her Sacred Spirit Soars.” Edwards learned about Franz Herzog, direc- passion and talent for journalism somewhat for the associate editor and business manager home.” folk songs and gospels by American composers. “We were sure that we would come in last, tor of choral studies at the Johann Joseph Fux by accident. position at the Advocate.” “The first thing I noticed was that they had so we felt that while we’re here we might as

12 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 13 MUSIC Randal Rushing is well have fun singing,” Meyer says. during the second part of the performance— learn 16 measures for the solo, a task that Interim Director of With their final routine, the students made experiencing this ‘world of choir’ was absolute- would typically take her a week. the judges and the audience take note by giv- ly stunning to all of us and it made us realize “I was actually getting sick, my sinus were Scheidt School of Music ing an extraordinary performance and putting that we are one of many choirs, and not the bothering me and my voice started getting forward a transformed choir. choir, which ultimately made us realize what hoarse, but I never thought about saying no,” When Patricia Hoy resigned as Director of the Scheidt School of “The students knew that they had done an we’re up against.” Williams says matter-of-factly. “They needed Music this past July, Dr. Randal Rushing, tenor and U of M profes- outstanding job during the second part of the The University Singer’s trip didn’t end here. someone to sing the part, Dr. Edwards asked sor of voice for the past 18 years, gave up his professional develop- competition and all they hoped for was not to After the competition in Spittal, the students me and I said, ‘sure, why not’.” ment leave and agreed to serve as the School’s interim Director for the be in last place,” Edwards says. headed to Graz for two performances and many When the conductor of the Hungarian academic year 2008/09. When that last place was announced and it unforeseen events. orchestra, who needed the soloist, heard Rushing is an established soloist of the concert and opera stage at wasn’t for the University Singers, the students “There were 450 choirs from 92 countries at Williams sing, he was so impressed that he home and abroad. He has performed extensively throughout Germany, were ecstatic. The ninth place was announced the World Choir Games, that’s a lot to keep up dismissed the professional tenor who was sup- Switzerland, Central America, the Czech Republic, and the United and again, the U of M’s choir didn’t take that with and organize. Our men were supposed to posed to sing the encore and ask Williams to States, making his début in 2001/02 with the St. Cecilia Chorus and place. sing a Verdi opera with a choir from Italy, but sing it instead. Orchestra in a gala concert at Carnegie Hall as soloist in “If I tell you that the University Singers we never received the music. So we had about “What amazed me the most about my stu- Mendelssohn’s Lobegesang and in Finzi’s Ode for St Cecelia. He placed eighth in a choir competition you may 24 hours to learn the music, and work on the dents is that they didn’t complain once when was soloist for Bach’s Christmas Oratorio and Mozart’s Requiem at think that this can’t be a great choir,” Edwards Italian pronunciation to sing an Italian opera there was yet more work and more rehearsing Carnegie Hall, where he also débuted in the American premiere of says. “Placing eighth in this international with an Italian choir,” Edwards laughs at the to be done,” Edwards says. “No matter the Bok’s Missa Solemnis. competition in Spittal is an unbelievable seemingly impossible. “At first the Italians challenge, they always kept a positive attitude The search for a new director is underway as the Music School con- achievement.” thought that we hadn’t practiced and were the and never once said ‘no, we can’t possibly tinues to thrive, and plans for a new music building are pursued. Randal Rushing However, what’s most important is that ‘lazy Americans,’ but once they realized how learn that much music in such a short time.’ the students were allowed to participate in a well the men did, having learned the piece On the contrary, the students were willing to competition of this caliber and see other out- in such a short time, they were completely take on whatever came their way.” standing choirs from around the world perform amazed.” For many of the students the trip was their and represent their countries. “There was When a soprano was needed to sing in a first experience abroad or away from home for definitely the excitement of the competition,” quintet from West Side Story, Edwards was any extended period of time. Although home- says Jeremy Warner, graduate student in choral asked if he had a singer who could learn the sick at times, all agree that what they learned conducting and part of the choir, “but it was part quickly. Emily Heinz, music industry and experienced was amazing, and many have absolutely fascinating to witness how different- graduate, didn’t hesitate to fill the void and since looked into study and work abroad op- ly choral music is interpreted and performed save the performance. Then a soloist became portunities. by some of these choirs. For us, singing in a unavailable for yet another performance. “It was an experience that I wouldn’t trade choir is a very formal affair, but for the choir Herzog asked Edwards if one of his singers for anything,” says Jeanette Ann Gray, a music from South Africa, for example, singing and could help out, knowing that he had stu- education senior. “I grew really close to the dancing go hand-in-hand, and their perfor- dents who were more than capable. Arthella other students, and I’m actually looking into a Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra mance was extremely lively. Other choirs were Williams, music education senior, agreed to teaching exchange program just to go back. I dressed in their county’s traditional costumes give up her day of sightseeing and instead loved it that much!” School of Music’s Spring Performance Calendar Includes Many Highlights

The Music School’s spring 2009 performance calendar is packed semble of cello, horn, and bassoon; Sopro Brasil, the faculty woodwind with exciting concerts and festivals. A few highlights include U of M quintet from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Jazz Week from March 3-7, featuring Joyce Cobb, widely recognized and the U of M’s Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. as one of the finest vocalists in the Memphis region, and Grammy The Imagine New Music Festival runs March 26-28, and will Award winner Slide Hampton, an internationally renowned trombon- feature works by Estonia’s most renowned composer Arvo Pärt, who ist, composer and arranger who became an important force in Maynard is commonly identified as a pioneer of the mystic minimalism or Ferguson’s big band from 1957 to 1959, and led octets in the1960s sacred minimalism, which employs hypnotic repetitions and slow with such sidemen as Freddie Hubbard and George Coleman. meditative tempo. A Selection of Pärt’s music will be performed by The Mighty Sound of the South, U of M’s marching band, has recently The Mid-South Horn Workshop is held at the U of M on March the University’s Contemporary Chamber Players, Symphony, and been decked out in new uniforms, featuring light-weight black pants, blue 21 and 22, featuring the American Horn Quartet, described by The University Singers as well as the Ceruti String Quartet, which will also jackets, and blue cadet-style hats with silver insignia and a plume, giving American Record Guide as “the finest brass chamber ensemble in the perform a piano quintet by John Baur, assistant director of the School the band a sleek contemporary look. Additionally, the band received 140 world.” Also featured at the Horn Workshop are Neoteric, a unique en- of Music and professor of composition and graduate theory. new brass instruments.

14 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 15 THEATRE & DANCE

Set design of Cyrano, Act 1, by Christopher McCollum, scenic designer at Theatre Memphis.

Collaboration with Theatre Memphis Costume sketches by André Bruce Ward, costume designer at Theatre Memphis. Allows for Lavish Production of Cyrano

When Cyrano opened at Theatre Memphis the Garden Theatre in New York City with South, plays Cyrano de Bergerac alongside especially for plays of the size of Cyrano. “Roxane has five costumes, Cyrano has plays have to be made too, rehearsals for addi- on February 13, it marked the high point Richard Mansfield as Cyrano. A century later, Chris McCollum, theatre performance junior However, this is the first time that Theatre two, and other roles have as many as three,” tional productions begin, and school is in full of a collaboration between the University’s the play has experienced a revival thanks to in the role of the suitor conduit Christian de Memphis and the U of M have collaborated Brookfield explains. “That’s a lot even if it swing for many of the student actors. Department of Theatre & Dance and Theatre its latest Broadway production, which starred Neuvillette, and theatre performance senior on an entire show,” Litch says. “This is truly was a small production, but we have 30 actors “When we started this endeavor we knew Memphis. The play, which closes on March Kevin Kline as Cyrano, Jennifer Garner as Claire Hayner as Roxane. Although the a win-win situation for everyone because we playing multiple roles, and we are making it would be a challenge because we have 1, was a labor of love for Bob Hetherington, Roxane, and Daniel Sunjata as Christian de cast includes veteran community actors Bill were able to utilize the best of what both the- every costume from scratch.” two locations with different schedules and director and chair of the Department of Neuvillette. Directed by David Leveaux at Andrews, Barry Fuller, Parker Dinwiddie, atres have to offer and produce an extraordi- Kim Yeager, the theatre department’s different demands that handle specific parts Theatre and Dance. It was a matter of timing, the Richard Rodgers Theatre, the play closed James Dale Green, John Rone, and Blanch nary play in our community, for our audience.” costume shop supervisor, chimes in, “it’s one of the production,” Hetherington says. “But the willingness to take risks, and the sup- in January 2008, and was broadcast on PBS Tosh, the majority of the roles were cast with When Hetherington initially proposed this thing to find matching boots for a cast of five, everybody really wanted to make this happen, port of the Jeniam Foundation that brought as part of the network’s “Great Performances U of M theatre students. collaboration in 2007, he knew that there but a totally different thing to find them for a and the help and goodwill we’ve received is Memphis’ first full-size production of Cyrano Series” this January. “Aside from putting on a grand play, I knew was no local model for what he wanted to do, cast of 30. From a dress-making stand point, just amazing.” to the stage. “Even if people haven’t seen an actual the- that a collaboration with Theatre Memphis but he felt confident that the mutual desire Cyrano is an all-out pageant with big hair, big Thinking that he would have to find a “This is a production of large dimensions atre production of Cyrano, almost everybody would be an immense opportunity for our for great theatre would make this partnership skirts, big boots, lots of accessories, and not to composer for the play’s music or pay a lot in every imaginable way,” Hetherington says. will recognize the story,” Hetherington says. students,” Hetherington says. “We didn’t possible. forget a big nose,” Yeager laughs. of money to use an already existing title, “We have a cast of 30. More than 100 cos- “It’s the age-old tale of unfulfilled love, of pre-cast any roles, but I knew there would be Theatre Memphis’ resident designers “For the audience this means that they Hetherington was surprised to find that Nigel tumes had to be designed and made, together Beauty and the Beast, popularized by Disney, room for a lot of student participation. Many Christopher McCollum and André Bruce get to see something absolutely spectacular. Hess from the Royal Shakespeare Company with wigs, hats, shoes, swords, and the like Phantom of the Opera, popularized by Andrew of our collaborations in the past were for plays Ward designed sets and costumes exclusively Cyrano with all its splendor is eye candy, in Great Britain allowed him to use his music for all the characters, and five scene sets had Lloyd Webber, and several ‘Cyrano’ mov- on the U of M Main Stage. This time, our stu- for this production. An Academic Enrichment and the romantic plot is heart wrenching. for the nun’s song, and Rick Fox, director of to be constructed. We couldn’t have done it ies such as the comedy Roxanne with Steve dents will perform alongside experienced ac- grant from the University of Memphis and a Watching this production is like entering a music for the Stratford Festival of Canada, alone, and Theatre Memphis couldn’t have Martin and Daryl Hannah, and the French- tors and U of M alumni on Theatre Memphis’ grant from the Jeniam Foundation allowed the different world. It’s a two-hour retreat from the gave him permission to use two songs from his done it solo either. Without this collaboration, language Cyrano de Bergerac with Gérard Lohrey Stage. We are taking our talent into the Department of Theatre & Dance to bring in usual every-day life,” Yeager says. new, still unproduced musical of Cyrano. a full-size production of Cyrano wouldn’t have Depardieu and Anne Brochet, among others.” community, showcasing what we have to offer. Kathie Brookfield as artist-in-residence cos- For both theatres, Cyrano is part of the “This is how great theatre can be done,” been possible in Memphis.” For the Memphis production of Cyrano, That’s an unbelievable opportunity.” tume design technician. Brookfield, an expert regular season, which means that while the Hetherington says. “People recognize that Cyrano, first produced in December 1897 at Hetherington chose Anthony Burgess’ ad- Debbie Litch, executive producer at in 17th Century period costumes with more designers in the scene shop work on the five someone who is doing a production of Cyrano the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin in Paris, aptation of Edmond Rostand’s classic love Theatre Memphis, shares Hetherington’s than 35 years of experience in pattern-mak- sets for Cyrano—balcony, theatre, bakery, has his hands full, and there is a general France, is one of the top romantic plays, with story, bringing together community actors, excitement. ing, draping, tailoring, and millinery, worked battlefield, and convent— and the costume willingness to help out; but we have truly all the swashbuckling and skirt-sweeping University of Memphis theatre performance “We have always worked closely with the together with Ward and students, staff and shop is jam-packed with enough costumes to been very fortunate with this production, and drama of a true 17th Century romance. The students and alumni. Jerre Dye, U of M U of M’s Department of Theatre & Dance. faculty from the theatre department on making outfit a small arrondissement in 17th Century it shows.” American premier was in October 1898 at alumnus and artistic director of Voices of the Theatre couldn’t exist without collaboration, and fitting the costumes for the play. Paris, sets and costumes for the season’s other

16 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 17 Centers, Institutes & Affiliates AMUM

AMUM Expands Art Storage Space to Prepare for Accreditation

The paint is dry, the dust has settled; renovations and construc- tion of a new art storage space in the Art Museum of the University of Memphis (AMUM) are complete. When the Museum opened in 1981, it was intended for temporary and/or traveling art exhibitions. The storage and exhibition preparation area was small because the emphasis was on showcasing rather than storing art and art objects. Over the years, how-

ever, AMUM received a collection of Egyptian antiquities (now part of Chandler Fulton Pritchett’s “Clouds” was part of AMUM’s 2008 MFA Thesis Exhibition its permanent collection), a loan of traditional West African masks, more than 100 works on paper, and assorted cultural artifacts, including two This past fall, in addition to work shown in the ArtLab and Caseworks suits of Japanese armor, flintlock dueling pistols, Ethiopian spear points, galleries, AMUM featured four temporary exhibitions: “Mississippi ancient Greco-Roman glass, and Navaho textiles. River Fugues” by Margaret Cogswell; “Anybody and Nobody: Andy The new storage room provides space to store those and other art and Warhol Photographs;” “Bonnie Baxter: Rewind,” and the “MFA Thesis artifacts that aren’t on display in the Museum, without any loss of exhibi- Exhibition: Yijun Liao, Chandler Fulton Pritchett and Robert G. Above: The U of M’s production of George Orwell’s political parable Animal Farm, was directed by Gloria Baxter, professor of theatre. Left: The U of M garnered recognition and several tion space. McCarroll.” Ostrander Awards for its production of Assassins. It is common for museums to dedicate more than half their total space Margaret Cogswell’s “Mississippi River Fugues,” a site-specific instal- to areas used for collection storage and exhibition preparation. As the lation, is the latest effort in AMUM’s visiting artist program—a program 2008 Ostrander Awards AMUM’s role changed it became clear that its art storage and prepara- that provides U of M students the opportunity to work with an artist in tion area needed to be expanded. developing and executing an exhibition. For Cogswell’s exhibition, stu- The Department of Theatre & Dance had a lot to celebrate at the 2008 change in an agrarian community, garnered the Department of Theatre & During the renovation, which started in May 2008, all of AMUM’s dents from the Department of Art assisted with design decisions and cre- Ostrander Awards this past August, when alumni, students, and faculty Dance seven Ostrander Awards: Lighting Design – Ken Friedhoff; ated large sculptural pieces that were an integral part of the installation. received awards for excellence in performance, directing and design. Props – Emily Wells; Supporting Actor in a Drama – Matthew Crewse; stored art objects were organized and inventoried. Many objects were AMUM volunteer and BFA graduate Christia Leigh Blankenship cu- Leading Actor in a Drama – Reginald C. Brown (faculty); Ensemble “re-discovered,” and their origin and significance now needs to be rated “Anybody and Nobody: Andy Warhol Photographs.” Blankenship, Larry Riley Rising Star Award – Ken Friedhoff Acting – University of Memphis; Direction of a Drama – Gloria determined. Some of the discoveries include Codex Duran (hand a Museum Studies’ student, organized and researched the recent gift of Baxter (faculty); Dramatic Production – University of Memphis colored prints recording the history of the Aztecs), Thomas Handforth 150 Polaroid photographs from the Andy Warhol Foundation. The exhi- ASSASSINS prints, Pre-Columbian artifacts, engravings from The Complete Works The U of M’s 2007/08 season’s “killer musical” was a dark and funny THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD of Shakspere [sic], and more than 200 political cartoons from Harpers bition was the culmination of her work. roller coaster ride through the “American Dream.” A musical vaudeville Co-produced with the Scheidt School of Music, the Tony Award-winning Weekly. about the nine assassins or would-be assassins of American Presidents musical which ran on the U of M’s Main Stage in February 2008, allowed AMUM is in the process of evaluating all of these objects, catalog- who insisted, “everybody’s got the right to be happy.” Awards won were: the audience to decide “whodunit,” making each performance unique, ing, documenting, and properly storing the previously owned and new Set Design – Craig Lewis; Supporting Actor in a Musical – Jason and also winning seven Ostrander Awards for the U of M: Costume De- objects, as well as identifying objects with inherent material problems. Hansen; Leading Actor in a Musical – Chris McCollum sign – Janice Lacek (faculty); Music Direction – Mark Ensley (School of In doing so, the museum has to consider if the objects support the Music faculty); Choreography – Jay Rapp (alumnus); Supporting Actress museum’s mission and academic programs at the University of Memphis ANIMAL FARM in a Musical – Shaheerah Farrakhan; Leading Actress in a Musical – and if they can be stored safely. These collection management issues George Orwell’s political parable adapted by Nelson Bond was staged Kirie Walz; Direction of a Musical – Stephen Hancock (faculty); are a critical component in AMUM’s quest to seek accreditation by the at the U of M in April 2008. Directed by Gloria Baxter, professor of the- Musical Production – University of Memphis atre, the play about the famous tale of livestock insurrection and regime American Association of Museums. A long-term project at AMUM is developing a traveling exhibition on the life and work of architect Paul R. Williams, which has been awarded Anne Marie Gideon (center), theatre performance senior, spent this past more than $120,000 in grants. semester studying at the Accademia dell’Arte in Arezzo, Italy. Asked to The exhibition is scheduled to open at AMUM in 2010 and then tour describe her experience, Gideon is quick to respond: “Everything in Arezzo across the country to universities with an architecture program. Several was wonderful! I had such an amazing experience. I learned so much more students from the Museum Studies program are working on the pri- Robert F. Fogelman and his wife, Martha H. Fogelman (far right), have made a gener- than I ever could have anticipated. I could not be more grateful for this ous gift of more than 180 pieces of Sub-Saharan African art to the Art Museum of the opportunity that gave me so many new tools as an actor, not to mention mary and secondary research for this multi-faceted project, which also University of Memphis (AMUM). Featuring such objects as an elaborate, beaded Yoruba priest’s tunic, a cast metal Benin head from Nigeria, and wooden Fang funerary mask all the wonderful places I've visited. It's been fantastic!” The study abroad includes a Web site designed to facilitate research and discourse about from Gabon, the Robert and Martha Fogelman Collection provides a rich core of valuable research and study material that will attract thousands of visitors to the U of M campus. program for theatre majors at the Accademia dell’Arte is made possible by Williams and is intended as a resource for art teachers who can use the Also pictured are (at far left) Leslie Luebbers, director of AMUM, President Shirley C. Memphis business leader James McGehee and the late Mrs. McGehee. information on the site to incorporate architecture into their lessons. Raines and Frances Brinton Hyde, granddaughter of the Fogelmans.

18 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 19 Centers, Institutes & Affiliates CSD WUMR

CMA Radiothon, Live Streaming and More

CMA Offers Exchange Program WUMR, “The Jazz Lover U92 FM,” capped off its 2008 Jazz in June Radiothon with “An Evening with Bill Easley and Friends” at Owen in Digital Media at Hochschule Ulm Brennan’s Restaurant. The event served as a fitting tribute to Bob McDowell, WUMR’s late general manager and associate professor of The Center for Multimedia Arts (CMA) celebrated its fifth an- communication. niversary this past fall. Founded in November 2003 through a mul- U of M alumnus Easley, a world-renowned saxophonist, traveled from tidisciplinary and collaborative effort by U of M faculty and staff as New York to jam the night away for a full house of enthusiastic jazz one of the first research centers in the University’s FedEx Institute of lovers. Proceeds from the event helped establish a fund in McDowell’s TERRA House in Memphis’ Uptown neighborhood just before its completion in January. Technology (FIT), the CMA has garnered local and national attention memory for the support of WUMR. To make a donation to the fund make as one of CCFA’s extraordinary research centers. your check payable to the University of Memphis Foundation, noting that The CMA works on a variety of projects, from Web, graphic, and TERRA House Will Shine for Ribbon your gift is for the McDowell fund. Send to: U of M Foundation, Dept. exhibit design to television PSAs, training videos and documentaries Cutting in February 238, P.O. Box 1000, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38148-0001. and, more recently, user experience design and usability testing. The New at WUMR this year—the station is now streaming worldwide. Center has developed an emphasis in the design of systems for com- With this innovation has come the 24-hour daily broadcast schedule. After more than three years of research, design, and planning, the plex decision-making, particularly around child health and develop- Visit wumr.memphis.edu and listen live to your “Jazz Lover U92 FM” TERRA (Technologically + Environmentally Responsive Residential ment, creating long-term initiatives with St. Jude, Duke University from anywhere in the world. Hospital, the Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth, the Architecture) demonstration house is complete. The project, which Center for Urban Child Policy, and The Urban Child Institute. was initiated in 2005 by the Department of Architecture through the Additionally, the CMA initiated a bilateral exchange program U of M’s Center for Sustainable Design (CSD), broke ground in June of with the Hochschule Ulm (University for Applied Science) in Ulm, 2007. One of the project’s main objectives was to embody the idea of Germany. The program is open to CCFA students and students from “green” design while blending in with the other residences in the area. the Herff College of Engineering. With a formal opening February 27 at 10 a.m., the house brings a “Through a personal connection at the Hochschule we were ap- new understanding of sustainable architecture and design to Memphis. proached about the possibility of an exchange program in 2004,” says The two-story, 1,500 to 1,700 square-foot home will be one of the first Juliane Richter, a native of Germany and the Center’s art director. in the region to conform to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Hochschule, which is well known for its engineering program, had guidelines for homes. It features energy efficient and environmentally implemented a digital media curriculum just two years earlier, and the responsible techniques, materials, appliances and fixtures. It adheres CMA saw the exchange program as an opportunity for U of M students to Memphis Light Gas and Water Division’s EcoBUILD program and to as well as students from Ulm. When setting up the program, Schmidt the American Lung Association's Health House standards. and Richter included the U of M’s Herff College of Engineering in Designed entirely by Department of Architecture students under fac- ulty supervision, the house incorporates several features, such as insu- their plans, which started offering an exchange with the Hochschule at Although many U of M students haven’t heard of Ulm, it is often associated with the tall- about the same time as the CMA. est church in the world, the Ulmer Münster, a gothic minster, and it is also known as the lated concrete forms, special soy-based insulation, rainwater harvest- birthplace of Albert Einstein. “This is typically how new exchange programs at the U of M get ing system, and a greywater recovery system, among others, that are started,” says Rebecca Laumann, Study Abroad Director at U of M’s uncommon for the building industry in the Memphis area. Contractor English. On the other hand, German students are pretty much expected Center for International Programs and Services. “Faculty members for the TERRA house was DPC Construction LLC of Memphis. to have some study abroad experience. That’s often the first thing a pro- have a connection to or know someone at a university abroad, they In addition to serving as a teaching tool for sustainable design, the spective employer looks for on our resume,” Willier says. “Naturally start talking about student exchange options, eventually bring us in TERRA house is an actual family residence. the application and selection process for study abroad programs is on the conversation, and if everybody agrees, we officially set up a bi- The Department of Architecture plans to continue faculty and stu- highly competitive and not everyone who wants to study abroad will lateral exchange program.” dent research into sustainable design through the design of prototype actually receive a spot. So there are challenges on both sides.” Richter knows that German students have a great interest in ex- affordable and sustainable residences in other neighborhoods within Martina Igberaese, a senior graphic design student at the U of M, change programs in the United States, whereas American students are the Memphis area. studied at the Hochschule in Ulm this past spring, saying that the somewhat reluctant to choose Germany. The project has benefited from partnerships between the University experience exceeded her expectations. “I learned so much more about “The language barrier is probably one of the greatest fear factors for of Memphis, AIA Memphis (American Institute of Architects), foreigners, traveling, design, and Germany than I expected and I would our American students,” Richter says. the Memphis chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, and the definitely do it all again.” Her advice to students who are considering Maximilian Willier, CMA’s current exchange student from Ulm can Uptown Partnership, which includes the Henry Turley Company, Belz studying abroad: “I would do a lot of research of the location, campus, relate. “The language is definitely a bigger problem for foreign stu- Enterprises and the City of Memphis. and culture.” dents who come to study in Ulm, even though we offer some classes in A video of the TERRA project can be viewed at http://architecture. Renowned saxophone player Bill Easley (right), performed at WUMR’s 2008 Jazz in June memphis.edu/terravideo.wmv. tribute to the late Bob McDowell, the station’s long-time general manager

20 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 21 Advancing the Creative Process Friends of the College (July 2007–June 2008)

Rick and Dianne Bragg Ms. Donna L Douglas $10,000 and Above Ms. Kathryn A Brinson Ms. Jane S Dutcher Mr. Andrew Clarkson Ann and Jerry Broussard Ms. Suzanne Elson The cover of this issue of Voices and the feature story on the production of Cyrano offer a vivid Ms. Patricia S Cloar The Hon George H Brown Jr. Ms. Julia M Ettman Estate of Esther K Davis description of an exemplary university and community collaboration—a wonderful play on the city’s Ms. Lillian H Brown Mr. Shannon P Fagan Ms. Janie Evans Ms. Shirlee M Clark Dr. William D Falvey and Ms. Emily R Woodside Ms. Delores Kinsolving storied stage at Theatre Memphis, including a cast of both student, alumni and community actors under Ms. Barbara Warnhoff Compton Dr. Curt Fields Jr. Mr. James E McGehee Jr. Dr. and Mrs. Steve Cowles Ms. Martha J Fields the direction of Bob Hetherington, chair of U of M’s Department of Theatre and Dance. The multiple Mr. Mickey Robinson and Catherine Ladnier Ms. Maureen M Cromling Ms. Sheila R Fitchpatrick requisites of such an undertaking necessitate the dedication and hard work of everyone on stage and Ms. Teresa C Davis Ms. Laurie Petrick Flynn $5,000 to $9,999 Mr. James A Easter Ms. Tammie L Ford also behind the scenes. This joint venture has been made possible, in part, by the encouragement and George and Susan Cohon Mr. and Mrs. John L Gaskill Mr. William A Foster support of the Jeniam Foundation of Memphis, whose participation is value-added impetus to success. Dr. and Mrs. Jerry T Francisco Mr. and Mrs. James S Gilliland Mr. Joseph P Fracchia Mr. Martin A Grusin Dr. Ralph Goodman Miss Desiree M Franklin Established in 1992 by now retired AutoZone executive and enthusiastic arts leader Andrew Mr. George Klein Ms. Dorothy M Greaney Dr. and Mrs. E Arthur Franklin Mr. David M Pennington Dr. and Mrs. Daniel E Griffin Mr. Kenneth L Freeman Clarkson with the purpose of engaged and involved philanthropy, the Jeniam Foundation’s intent Mr. Jack Soden Ms. Cynthia L Ham and Mr. Jeff B Sanford Mr. and Mrs. Frederick S Freres matches perfectly the aim of U of M President Shirley Raines to engage the University with the com- Mr. and Mrs. Brian W Hanrahan Mr. Joseph E Garrett Jr. $2,500 to $4,999 Mr. George C Hargett Dr. Pamela Gaston munity in high levels of scholarship and creativity for the common good. This is being accomplished Ms. Lauren A McGehee Mr. Sigurd H Johnson Mr. Jeffrey D Germany Mr. Marcus H Norton Ms. Robbie Johnson Weinberg Ms. Brenda L Gibbs by the Department of Theatre and Dance in its relationship with the Jeniam Foundation. The relation- Dr. Rose M Johnston Ms. Brenda M Gideon ship began in 2001 when U of M student Nate Eppler’s original play, Keeping Up With The Jonses, was Mr. Gene Katz Mr. David Goodwin Jr. $1,000 to $2,499 Mr. Gerald Kinne Ms. Elizabeth M Grant Dr. and Mrs. John R Adams selected for performance at the American College Theatre Festival in Clemson, South Carolina. He and others traveled there with the help Mr. and Mrs. John E Koski Ms. Betty B Green Mr. Joe D Hinson Ms. Marianne McDowell Mr. and Mrs. William Green Drs Michael and Suzanne Osborn of the Jeniam Foundation. With this extraordinary experience on his resume, Eppler would soon successfully launch a career in professional Dr. Robert W McDowell+ Ms. Karalesa Greer Mr. and Mrs. William H Smythe III Ms. Wanda J Mooney Mr. Richard G Groff and Mrs. Julia Gholson Groff theatre in New York. Mr. and Mrs. David B Ferraro Hal and Ronna Newburger Ms. Sylvia B Gronauer Mr. and Mrs. H Frank Ricks Jr. The Jeniam Foundation has long supported successful theatre projects and productions at venues such as Playhouse on the Square, Circuit Mr. Michael R Powell Mr. Stephen D Grushkin Ms. Pat Kerr Tigrett Mr. Michael S Powell Ms. Denise L Grusin Ms. Moira J Logan Playhouse and Theatre Memphis. Since its initial support for student theatre at the U of M, the Foundation has continued to help the depart- Mr. and Mrs. Gaylon H Reasons Dr. Warren O Haggard Linda and Craig Leake Ms. Canty Robbins Mr. and Mrs. David G Hampton ment in ways that many funding agencies and organizations otherwise decline. In 2003-2004, the Jeniam Foundation Design Lab was created Ms. Jocelyn D Wurzburg Mr. William M Rosson Ms. Joyce M Hardin Dr. John A Campbell in a cooperative venture with the University. This classroom renovation project brought major technology upgrades, and the lab continues Jack and Gloria Schaffer Dr. Donna S Harkness and Mr. Furniss B Harkness Ms. Gayle L Powelson Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth B Schick Mr. Joe C Harmon Dr. Brooke L Quigley to provide excellent instructional programming and individual design functions to both students and faculty. Additionally, the facility is Dr. ChrisAnn Schiro-Geist and Mr. John J Conway Sr. Ms. Lynn M Harmon Mr. James Keeling Dr. Paula Spence-Evans Mr. Ron D Harris available to other theatres in the Memphis area. For example, when Playhouse on the Square undertook the production of Jerry Springer: The Mr. and Mrs. Douglas J Bark Mr. William L Syler Mr. and Mrs. Charles R Harty Sr. Mr. and Mrs. William S Boyce Opera, large backdrops for the stage sets were created using Jeniam lab equipment. Other theatre professionals have also taken advantage Mr. and Mrs. J Michael Ward Mr. Larry R Hasty Ms. Bertha K Brown Ms. Stella Woehst Mr. William B Hayley Ms. Marsha M Evans and Mr. John Evans of the department’s router table, a large computerized saw that was purchased with Jeniam funds in 2006 and is used for crafting intricate Ms. Paulette M Hayner Dr. James and Lynn Fitzwater Ms. Joanna P Helming scenery and props. The Foundation also said “very good idea” and provided support for construction materials when the department proposed Mr. and Mrs. William M Fondren Jr. $100 - $249 Mr. and Mrs. John E Hiatt Ms. Kim P Hindrew and Mr. D Mason Granger Dr. Narahari B Achar saving money by fabricating its own winches for moving heavy equipment around the stage. Mr. Thomas D Hickey Ms. Virginia H Klettner Mr. Dennis Adams Mr. Andrew D Hilton Mr. and Mrs. Roger T Knox Ms. Frances S Addicott When obsolete lighting equipment for the theatre’s stage failed prior to the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, the Foundation offered Dr. Cynthia Bond Hopson Ms. Nancy M Piwonka Ms. Karen Alderson Mr. Blue Hoyt a challenge grant to the University for 50 percent of the expense of replacing the crucial lighting board. This allowed the year’s entire produc- Ms. Jean H Wall Dr. Paula J Amrod Ms. Pat Anderson Mr. and Mrs. Donald J Hudgins tion schedule to proceed. In another near-emergency situation, the Foundation paid for replacement of old and deteriorated mirrors on the Ms. Roberta T Anderson Mr. William L Huettel Sr. $500 - $999 Dr. Dorothy A Arata Ms. Kristen M Hunter walls in the department’s dance studio, in this case with safer reflective materials. Ms. Susan C Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Clarence R Arline Mr. and Mrs. Frank Inman Jr. Ms. Mildred R Bouey The Foundation helped fund the residency of a Shakespearean theatre specialist in 2006 when As You Like It was produced on campus. Mr. and Mrs. Bill D Avery Mr. Michael L Jensen Dr. John C Larkin Jr. Mr. Edward M Bearman Ms. Mackie S Johnson Ms. Tommie Pardue And now, as part of the team effort for Cyrano, it has sponsored a highly qualified resident costume cutter/draper whose skills and artistic Mr. Ozzie L Binion Lyn and John Joyner Mr. and Mrs. Henry M Turley Jr. Ms. Jennifer K Bishop Ms. Jo Ree C King talents have been put to maximum use in preparation for the play and in studio teaching and directing community workshops. Dr. Carol Crown Ranta and Dr. Richard R Ranta Ms. Patty Bladon Mr. Luther King Mr. and Mrs. Howard Schwartz The Jeniam Foundation’s generous investment in the students, faculty and production needs of the Department of Theatre and Dance is Ms. Elizabeth Brand Mr. Paul Kirchhoff Ms. Lucia C Outlan Dr. and Mrs. Charles Burnett Mr. Leonard D Kohr Mr. Erie Lachelle Banks full measure of their wisely considered philanthropy. Noting needs and capabilities throughout the community that will benefit from shared Dr. Pat C Byrne Ms. Bonnie J Kourvelas Mr. J Allen Brasfield Jr. Ms. Nancy C Campbell Mr. Reed Landau resources and teamwork has become its hallmark. “The Foundation is helping us achieve our goal of being a good neighbor and essential Mr. and Mrs. Fred L Davis Mr. Joseph E Carignan Dr. Dan L Lattimore Ms. Josephine O Elosua resource to the arts in Memphis,” says Bob Hetherington. Mr. Willie L Carpenter Mr. and Mrs. Michael W Lawhead Luther and Dot Gause Ms. Peggy S Cecil Mr. Michael Leff Mr. Devin E Greaney Won’t you join in supporting the arts everywhere by supporting our students and faculty in the College of Communication and Fine Arts? Octavia R Chafin Mr. Jason E Leftwich Mr. and Mrs. Scott Halperin Mr. and Mrs. John J Chiego Mr. Robert Levey We are happy to help you match your interests with our goals. Mr. Henry D Hart Ms. Sara W Chiego Mr. Xu Lin Mr. and Mrs. Ricky A Hipp and Family Ms. Gina R Clark Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F Lindenfeld Dr. and Mrs. Edward S Kaplan Mr. and Mrs. Richard L Clarke III Ms. Brenda S Little Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kremer Mr. J H Clippard Jr. Ms. Kathryn M Lloyd Mr. and Mrs. J W McAllister Ms. F Marie Connors Jenny Odle Madden Mr. Richard H Montgomery Mr. and Mrs. Richard C Cooper Ms. Julie Madison Mr. Jay E Norfleet Jr. Ms. Phoebe M Copeland Ms. Jeanine E Mah Mr. Dwayne Stephens Ms. Eileen Cornacchia Mr. and Mrs. Jerome B Makowsky Mr. and Mrs. Eddie R Walsh Sr. Patty Bladon Mr. C Thomas Courtenay Dr. and Mrs. Stephen D Malin James and Jami Webb Ms. Elaine Coustan-Smith Ms. Veronical Mallett Director of Development Miss Mary Agnes Welsh Ms. Priscilla Coyle Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Marshall 901.678.4372 Mr. Vernard Davis Dr. Barbara D Mashburn $250-$499 Dr. and Mrs. Samir R Dawoud Mr. Christopher E Matz [email protected] Reece Auguiste Mr. Thomas H Dean Ms. Faith McCormack Dr. and Mrs. John P Bakke Darrin and Cheri Devault Mr. and Mrs. Angus McEachran Mr. Donald O Barber Ms. Kimberly H Dicus Ms. Janet McGehee Ms. Carolyn M Bercegeay Mr. and Mrs. Fred Dixon Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B McKee Ms. Alicia A Bircher Mr. Fred Dixon

22 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 23 Paige and Danny McKee Dr. John Windhauser Mr. and Mrs. Tony Graham Ms. Demetria Pearl Mr. Jason Bentley Ms. Sandra S Glover Mr. and Mrs. William R McKelvy Jr. Mr. Trent Wood Ms. Laura S Gray Mr. John C Pekar Ms. Josephine Blaylock Ms. Patricia Goodman Mr. Charles N McLarty Jr. Ms. Kay Yager Mr. Mitchell W Green Mr. Ira M Phillips Ms. Wight F Boggs Ms. Teresa S Gorham Ms. Shirley W McRae Ms. Wanda J Griffin Ms. Catherine L Philpot Dr. Janet A Bond-Sutter Dr. and Mrs. Robert B Gossett Ms. Olivia A Miller $50 - $99 Mr. Lewis M Guess Mr. George Pipik Ms. Pam Boston Ms. Patricia Gray Mr. Tom Miller Ms. Lisa F Abitz Ms. Ruth A Hale Mr. and Mrs. Frank F Pitts Ms. Lane S Bouzeid Mr. Joe Green Miss Agnes A Moore Mr. Lester Acree Ms. Ann M Hall Ms. Kini Kedigh Plumlee Ms. Delaine Bowman Ms. Nicole Greer Miss Barbara A Moore Cdr. Ivan A Adames Mr. and Mrs. Paul and Carol Hamm Mr. Robert B Powell Ms. Rosemary Angela Brown Mr. Norman M Grevillius Mr. Stratton H Moore Mr. Mark Allen Mr. and Mrs. William H Hardwick Ms. Rochelle Prince Mr. Eddie Ray Brown Mr. and Mrs. James M Groutt Thomas E Motley MD Mr. Jim Allison Ms. Kathi A Harper Julie and Jim Raines Ms. Helen A Brown Ms. Robin M Halbert-Petty Mr. Raymond L Mullins Jr. Ms. Elizabeth M Andrew Mr. James F Harwell Mr. and Mrs. Richard A Ransom Mr. Timothy Buckingham Ms. Susan Hale Mr. and Mrs. George J Nassar Jr. Mr. Joseph Atkins Mr. Mark J Hayden Mr. Edward W Ray Dr. and Mrs. Fred Bugg Mr. James V Hall Dr. Virginia M Norton and Mr. John D Norton Sr. Ms. Leeannette Avant Ms. Frances A Henry Ms. Sue C Reed Ms. Glenda K Byrd Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Hall Ms. Molly G Patterson Ms. J E Barber Mr. Paul T Hicks+ Mr. and Mrs. Gary J Richardson Mr. Charles Cahill Sr. Mr. John T Harding Ms. Jeannine Pender Ms. Karol C Barber Mr. Sammie Hines Mr. and Mrs. William A Richie Jr. Ms. Bette R Callow Ms. Marian R Harkness JC and Cindy Pendergrast Mr. and Mrs. Robert L Barber Sr. Mr. Mark Hodges Ms. Susie Webb Ries Ms. Mary Ellen Caradonna Mr. Eric O Harris Mr. David Phelps Mr. Phillip W Bateman Ms. Shannon L Holley Mr. E C Robertson Deborah and Forrest Carr Mr. Gary M Harrison Dr. and Mrs. Daniel J Poje Ms. Barbara H Batson Mr. Charles L Holliday Mr. Elton Robinson Mr. Chris Carroll Ms. Jean E Hartley Mr. and Mrs. Michael A Poor Mr. David N Bean Mr. Drew Holmes Ms. Janice Ewell Robinson Ms. Shelley Carroll Ms. Larisa P Hasty Ms. Alice P Poston Dr. and Mrs. Daniel S Beasley Ms. Elayne Hurt Carrier Ms. Briggita S Rogers Cdr. and Mrs. Wayne S Carrozza Ms. Susie E Heard Mr. Kenneth R Pruitt Mr. Francis L Beaulieu Ms. Patricia J Isenberg Mr. John H Rone Ms. Peggy M Carruth Mr. and Mrs. James E Heirigs Dr. Lea Gibbs Queener Mr. John G Beauregard Ms. Martha J Israel Ms. Beverly B Ross Mr. Irvin J Carter Mr. Troy L Henderson Jr+ Ms. Carol D Raiford Mr. and Mrs. Merle 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Tulley Mr. William S Craddock Jr. Mr. Jack Joyner Ron and Linda Sklar Ms. Lalla M Colmer Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lupfer Mrs. Claudia D Tullos-Leonard Mr. William P Crawford Ms. Julie Joyner Mr. and Mrs. Paul F Sloan Ms. Elizabeth A Conway Jim Lutz and Mr. Anthony W Leonard Mr. Matthew Crewse Mr. Sean Joyner Ms. Ann H Smith Mr. C Michael Coscia Ms. Nancy P Maddox Mr. Hal Van Canneyt Ms. Stella B Crone Ms. Margaret S Kallaher Dr. Carole F Southerland Ms. Betty G Cotton Charles and May Lynn Mansbach Ms. Mary Walsh Ms. Deborah J Dalley Ms. Mary A Kalmanson Mr. Gerald H Sowards Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth H Courtney Mr. Christopher L Marable Mr. Walker L Wellford III Ms. Barbara I Daniel Ms. Saralyn Kaplan Mr. and Mrs. Robert L Spence Jr. Hank and Barbara Cowles Ms. Earline T Matthews Ms. Marcia B Wells Mr. Robert Darby Mr. David C Kee Ms. Lisa H Spencer Mr. Sal Crocker Ms. Angela A May Ms. Bettie C Welsh Mr. Philip E Davidson Ms. Rebecca L Kemp Mr. and Mrs. M Glenn Spencer Miss Donna A Dahlberg Ms. Dorothy C May Ms. Susan B Westbrook Mr. Vervon E Davidson Mr. Gary R Kendrick Ms. Linda Davis Ms. Christine C Spindel Ms. Laverne D Daley Mr. Gerald L May Ms. M Anne White Maj Robert E Kirkland Jr. Mr. Stanley W Davis Dr. Sheri L Spunt Mr. Brian Dalziel Ms. Dorothy C May Ms. Carolyn D Whitley Ms. Jen Knight Mr. Mark Dely Ms. Angela Steffens Mr. Douglas R Daniel Ms. Kimberly F McAmis Mr. David Robert Williams Ms. Karen Knight Linnie Denman Ms. Sheri D Stephens Ms. Mimi S Dann Ms. Annemarie McClellan David and Elsa Williams Mr. and Mrs. Barry J Kudlowitz Ms. Nellie Denman Ms. Nancy Stephenson Ms. Jane D Deaton Ms. Judith K McCown Mr. Neville Williams Mr. William M Langford Miss Laura B Derrington Mr. Harry W Stiles Dr. Joseph Dove Miss Becky J McCoy Mr. Richard B Williams Ms. Fannie S Leake Ms. Mary B Dickson Mr. Gene Stimson Jr. Ms. Dana Lynn Dreinhofer Dr. and Mrs. Robert W McGowan Mr. Archie W Willis III Ms. Sherri D Lee Mr. John L Donnelly III Mr. Jeffrey A Stovall Mr. and Mrs. George L Dunn Jr. Ms. Patricia M McIntyre Ms. Barbara S Wilson Ms. Johanna Lehfeildt Ms. Betty L Dubey Mr. Mark C Sullivan Mr. Vance Stuart Durbin Dr. Paul E McKeegan Ms. Janice L Wood Ms. Inez Lensch Ms. Maryellen Duncan Mr. and Mrs. Richard T Sullivan Mr. and Mrs. Joe A Dycus Dr. Toya McLaurin Ms. Dorothy D Work Ms. Kristin M Lensch Mr. Jerry F Taintor Mr. Nathan Eason Mr. E Trent McVay Ms. Kristie Wray Ms. Michelle Duncan Ms. Jane K Lester Mr. Timothy W Duncan Mr. Anthony Taylor Ms. Martha P Edwards Ms. Carolyn P Mears Mr. Walter C Yager Mr. and Mrs. William D Levy Mr. Mark R Dunn Mr. Steven A Terry Ms. Barbara L England and Dr. Richard C England Jr. Mr. Eric J Melkent Ms. Beverly Z Yancey Ms. Marjorie V Levy Dr. Elizabeth M Dupont Ms. Georgia Cooper-Thomas Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A Erskine Ms. Lucia Merker Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius Yates Rongling Li Mr. Blaine Dyess Mr. David L Thomasson Mr. Michael B Erskine Mr. and Mrs. Bergen S Merrill Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Danny C Young Mr. Robert A Libby Ms. Sue Earnheart Mr. Don Thompson Ms. Sally P Eudaly Lynn Messer Ms. Susan M Lipscomb Ms. Gloria H Echols Mr. Michael J Thompson Ms. Constance V Evans Ms. Linda Milbradt Ms. Sheila Litten Up to $49 Mr. Nat B Ellis Ms. Lorene G Turkalo Ms. Kay E Farrish Ms. Jimmie J Miller Mr. John H Adkins Jr. Mr. Charles V LoBianco Dr. Sue C Evans Mr. Gary E Veazey Ms. Margaret P Felsenthal Mr. Kenneth Miller Ms. Amana M Ajanaku Mr. Henry Gregg Loeb Ms. Elizabeth P Farrelly Ms. Sharon B Vickers Mr. Robert J Fink Mr. Michael Miller Ms. Kimberly N Alexander Mr. John H Lovelady Ms. Kathleen A Faulk Ms. Elizabeth A Wale Mr. Robert W Forsythe Mr. Robert R Miller Ms. Jan Allen Ms. Peggy S Lux and Mr. John E Lux Mr. and Mrs. William M Fergus Mr. and Mrs. James C Warner Ms. Beverly M Frank Ms. Tara L Milligan Ms. Anna C Anderson Ms. Marie M Lydon Mr. and Mrs. Gene Finger Dr. and Mrs. Otis S Warr III Ms. Leigh D Fraser Ms. Shirley Minard Mr. Byron Anderson Ms. Pamela W Mabon Ms. Annette Fitzgerald Dr. Lynne M Webb Miss J Lynette Gabryluk Dr. Sharon L Momany Ms. Jill S Anderson Mr. Jessie Maclin Mr. and Mrs. Larry M Fogarty Thomas and Angela Weems Ms. Mary P Garner Jody Moore Ms. Paula Anderson Ms. Deborah K Magee Ms. Sondra W Fondren Mr. David R Weigel Mr. Gary D Garth Mr. and Mrs. Harry E Murchison Dr. Morgan D Arant Jr. Mr. George E Malone Ms. Jennifer Ford Mr. William B Wellborn Mr. Robert H Gaskill Ms. Katherine R Muth Ms. Tina Arquitt Mr. Shaye R Mandle Mr. Maurice H Ford and Ms. Felicia Hogan Dr. and Mrs. Benton M Wheeler Ms. Amy M George Miss Jacquelyn J Nerren Mr. Curtis Austin Ms. Shirley Manis Mr. Rezell Foster Dr. Kathleen W Wickham Mr. Glen Germaine Ms. Jennifer P Newton Mr. William A Austin Ms. Katherine Mannerino Mr. C Frank Fourmy III Mr. Willis H Willey III Mr. and Mrs. Charles A Gilliland III L O Ojiii Ms. Lola L Autry Mr. Daniel Margosian Ms. Annemary Fox Ms. Dolecia V Williams Ms. Patricia L Glass Dr. Harendra Om Ms. Gale Banks Ms. Martha L Marin Ms. Rebecca Fox Coats Mr. and Mrs. Christopher T Williams Ms. Deborah K Golden Mr. and Mrs. Penn Owen III Ms. Kay F Barkin Mr. Curtis R Mason Mr. Rudy Frank Ms. Patricia H Wilson Mr. Robert K Gordon Ms. Jennifer G Parris Ms. Denyse Bean Rev. Deborah M Mathewson Hillery W Gahlaut Ms. Simone N Wilson and Mr. Eric K Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth P Goree Mr. Robert G Patterson Jr. Ms. Meiko Bender and Mr. Harry F Mathewson Mr. Milbourne T Gates

24 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 25 Mr. Malcolm Mathis Ms. P A Suttle The Presser Foundation Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni Ms. Claudia McCarthy-Phillips Mr. and Mrs. Robert A Svoboda Wiz-X Incorporated Mr. and Mrs. L Reid McCoy Mr. Joe Swaim Mr. and Mrs. V Stephen McGraw Ms. Teresa M Sweeney $1,000 to $2,499 Mr. J Don McKay Mr. Gilbert W Swift 1910 Frame Works and Gallery Faculty News in October 2008 and served as moderator for group tors who foster and honor the unique contributions Ms. Beverly McKee Gertrude Tara-Casciano Cleghorn Reunion discussions, including a presentation by architect Paolo of students with special needs. Heise will be pre- Mr. Lloyd R McKinney Jr. Ms. Liese A Thomas Express Shutters and Blinds Portoghesi. sented with the award during NAEA’s 2009 National Ms. Annie J McLaurin Rev Robert H Thompson Jr. Fred L Davis Insurance Agency Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 17-21, Mr. Craig D Meek Mr. John P Threadgill Randle Witherington, associate professor of Gannett Foundation Incorporated AMUM 2009. Mr. and Mrs. Fred W Middleton Mr. John D Tosi interior design, is a Victorian Village Inc. board member. Indelible Inc Leslie Luebbers, Director of the Art Museum at the Ms. Marie Mitchell Ms. Jeannie Truman Joseph-Beth Booksellers Witherington was interviewed in the Willy Bearden Film Katherine Hoffman was chosen for the Dorothy University of Memphis (AMUM), was awarded a grant Mr. and Mrs. T Wayne Mock Ms. Gretchen Hoehn Turner Memphis Advertising Federation “View from Adams Avenue,” which aired on WKNO. K. Hohenberg Chair of Excellence in Art History Mr. Sean A Moore Ms. Allison Tyson from the Graham Foundation for the Advancement of Monogram Brands LLC Witherington also gave two lectures at Memphis’ Dixon for 2008/09. Hoffman received her Ph.D. from New Ms. Janace Mork Mr. Leonard E Tyson the Fine Arts for the Paul R. Williams Project. For the R P Tracks Gallery and Gardens. York University. She joins the Department of Art Mr. James D Moseley Ms. Mary B Uselton same project, Luebbers has also been awarded a grant Rhodes College with extensive teaching experience from St. Anselm Mr. and Mrs. D Michael Moss Ms. Margaret E Vance Shaw Industries Group from the Institute for Museum and Library Services College in Manchester, New Hampshire; Karl Franzens Mr. and Mrs. C Raymond Myers Jr. Dr. Robert N Vidulich and Ms. Diane G Sachs St Mary’s Episcopal School from the National Endowment for the Arts. Luebbers Ms. Catherine Nakayama Ms. Nikki L Walker Art University in Graz, Austria; Richmond University in The David Brown Book Company is co-organizer with James Lutz of a panel entitled, Mr. Phillip Neal Mr. and Mrs. Niles A Wallace London, England; Bradford College, Bradford, Maine; The Jewish Foundation of Memphis “Paul R. Williams: Architect to the Hollywood Stars—And Mariam Ayad, assistant director of the Institute Mr. Roland Neal Jr. Mr. Benjamin W Wang The University of South Carolina, Vermont Community The Mid South Jazz Foundation Incorporated That’s Just the Beginning” at the annual meeting of the of Egyptian Art and Archaeology (IEAA), has finished Mr. Gregory S Nelson Ms. Tanya S Warner William Randolph Hearst Foundation College, Brooklyn College, and Antioch College in New College Art Association in February, 2009. Luebbers’ her latest book, God’s Wife, God’s Servant: The God’s Mr. Christopher E Nemec Mr. James F Watkins York. Ms. Michelle Newsom Ms. Mary L Watkins essay, “Susan Sontag and Howard Hodgkin: A Way of Wife of Anum, which will be published by Routledge Marvin W Newsum, II Mr. S A Weakley $500 - $999 Feeling is a Way of Seeing, Emotion and Beauty in the in 2009. Ayad also participated in the 34th Annual David Horan, instructor of photography, curated Belz Foundation Mr. Jerry Norman Ms. Margaret Weems Visual Arts,” is included in The Legacy of Susan Sontag, Symposium of The Society for the Study of Egyptian and exhibited “The Mediated Landscape: Marks, Experience Art in Memphis Dr. Wayne A Norton Ms. June K Weitz Monuments, and Memorials,” at The Brooks Museum Eyewear Gallery forthcoming in 2009 from Columbia University Press. Antiquities on Ancient Egypt and Nubia: Golden Mr. and Mrs. Rick H Owings Sam Wesley Kingdoms on the Nile, held this past November at of Art, and presented a gallery talk about the exhibition. Ms. Martha A Patchell Ms. Nancy S White Investec Realty Services The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada. In the Horan also served as a juror for the 2009 New Mexico Ms. Christy Patterson and Mr. Gary L Patterson Mr. Bailey L Wiener John C Larkin Jr. Living Trust Purchase Initiative Public Art Award, and presented a Ms. Dorothy Peoples Ms. Stacy P Wilde Marathon Oil Company Foundation Architecture fall Ayad spent time in Luxor, working at the tomb of Ms. Tammy Peoples Dr. Dwight A WilliaMs. Jr. Perkins Services Harwa (TT 37) on the Theban western bank. talk on photo history for the docents at The Brooks Russ Berger Design Group Sherry Bryan, associate professor of architecture Museum of Art. Ms. Teron Perk Ms. Rose Williamson and Jeanne Myers, adjunct professor of architecture, Bryna Bobick, assistant professor of art education, Mr. Charles E Perry Ms. Ann E Willis Varsity Tennis Shop collaborated with the American Institute of Architects presented her paper “Combining Art Education and Jed Jackson, professor of art, had an exhibit at Ms. Shannon Perry Teen Willis Museum Education” at the Southeastern College of Art Memphis’ Dixon Gallery and Gardens this past fall. Mr. Robert L Pierce Mr. and Mrs. Byron B Winsett Jr. (AIA) Memphis on the exhibition “America’s Favorite $250 - $499 “Jed Jackson: Toujours L’ Audace”, showed a variety Ms. Jennifer Plath Ms. Kim Witham Bigfish Architecture” at the Memphis and Shelby County Public Association Conference in New Orleans in September Ms. Patricia B Pontius Ms. Wreatha A Witte Delta Riverboat Co Library. 2008. Bobick co-authored “Colorful Kindergarten of Jackson’s quirky genre paintings. Also in 2008, Mr. Robert C Posner Ms. Barbara Beauregard Woods Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Mice,” an article published in Volume 108, Number the Tennessee Arts Council and the Southern Arts Michael Chisamore, assistant professor of archi- Mr. Ernest Prater Mr. Andrew Wright Illinois Tool Works Foundation 1 of the School Arts Magazine, and had pieces of Foundation named Jackson a “Southern Artist of tecture, was the judge for the 2008 “Tilt-up Concrete Ms. Maggie Prater Mr. and Mrs. Nubar Yacoubian Project Motion Incorporated her work shown in the Tennessee Art Education Distinction.” Association Achievement Awards” for the best use of Mr. David Prete Ms. Sangita Yadav The Foster Family PrograMs. Incorporated Association Juried Exhibition at the Memphis College tilt-up concrete in the nation. His work was featured in Lawrence Jasud, associate professor of photogra- Mr. and Mrs. Richard H Price Ms. Laurie A Yeargin The Jazz Foundation of Memphis Incorporated of Art. Miss Esther L Pulliam Mr. Richard A Zurburg Vistacare Health Services Incorporated the 2008 American Society of Architectural Illustrators phy and photography program coordinator, co-chaired Miss Robbie N Pulliam touring exhibition and book. Hugh Busby, local technical support provider the 2008 regional conference of the South Central Dr. Carol J Purtle+ and instructor of graphic design, received the 2008 Society of Photographic Education. The conference $100 - $249 Chere Doiron, assistant professor of interior design, Ms. Alice W Raver Information Technology Division Local Support Provider was hosted by the U of M’s photography program in Gifts in Kind Africa in April Committee received a Strengthening Communities Small Grant Mr. Mack H Reed Dr. and Mrs. John R Adams Amro Music Stores Incorporated (LSP) of the Year Award. This past December, Busby collaboration with the Memphis College of Art. David Award to establish a plan for community outreach work Ms. Kathy B Reeder Andy Warhol Foundation Cultural Development Foundation showed work in his first solo exhibition, “The Cher Horan, instructor of photography, and Raleigh Roger, for the Caritas Peace Garden in Memphis’ Binghamton Ms. Deborah J Reeves Ms. Patricia S Cloar El Cap Trip Fund Show,” at the Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community graduate student in photography and president of U Ms. Michele A Riolo neighborhood. Martha and Robert F Fogelman Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc Center. of M’s Student Photography Society, supervised and Ms. M Carolyn Robertson Ms. Lauren A McGehee Jane S Dutcher Trust Michael Hagge, associate professor and chair of organized several aspects of the conference. Mr. Andrew F Romine Mr. and Mrs. J Michael Robinson Lorelei Corcoran, director of the Institute of Lansky Brothers Incorporated the Department of Architecture, was appointed to the Ms. Linda P Roper Waitzkin Memorial Library Trust Madeleine Edwards & Thomas E Edwards Joint Trust Egyptian Art and Archaeology (IEAA), received a Earnestine Jenkins, associate professor of art Design Consultancy Committee established by U of M Melpha Ross Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau contract from the J. Paul Getty Trust to co-author a history, in collaboration with the exhibition “Memphis Ms. Carol A Rowe President Shirley Raines. Hagge was also elected to the Neil’s monograph in their series, Studies on Art, with Getty World” at the Brooks Museum of Art, created the Ms. Jacque D Ruppel Organizations Shirley W McRae Revocable Trust Steering Committee, Memphis Regional Design Center exhibition “Early African American Photographers in Ms. Diane G Sachs conservator Marie Svoboda. The New Earnestine & Hazel’s (MRDC). He was co-coordinator and session presenter Memphis,” at U of M’s Jones Hall Gallery. Jenkins Mr. William L Sachs Carol Crown, professor of art history, won national The Sully Corporation at the MRDC Urban Design 101. In partnership with also participated in the African Studies Association Ms. Corene C Salama $10,000 and Above Toomey and Associates BRIDGES USA, Hagge received a Strengthening recognition with Amazing Grace: Self-Taught Artists Ms. Patti P Sandage Andy Warhol Foundation conference in Chicago this past November, where she Wachovia Foundation Matching Gifts Communities Grant to develop a sustainable design From the Mullis Collection for which she wrote the Ms. Linda I Schubert Stanford Financial Group presented “Menelik II: Imaging an African Leader in the principal essay. The book won a bronze medal at the Ms. Ann K Schwartz Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation curriculum for Memphis City Schools. He also partici- Era of Colonization.” Ms. Tina Scott Hohenberg Charity Trust $50 - $99 pated in the 2008 Association of Collegiate Schools of 2008 Independent Publisher Book Awards in Los Miss Stacey L Sears Jeniam Foundation Baird Foundation Inc Architecture (ACSA) Leadership Conference sessions Angeles this past spring. Richard Lou, professor of art and chair of the Clark Dixon Associates Department of Art, had an exhibition at Power House Mr. and Mrs. W Martin Seiler III Laurelwood Shopping Center Incorporated on National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB) Beth Edwards, associate professor of painting, held McGehee Family Foundation Flinn Broadcasting Corporation Gallery in Memphis this past fall. “Richard Lou: Stories Dr. Arthur L Shearin accreditation and Architecture + Interior Design. a solo exhibition this past fall at St. Louis Community Mr. Anthony L Shepard SunTrust Glycerin Gardens On My Back” was an installation based on the stories College in St. Louis, Missouri. The exhibition featured Ms. Barbara M Sherman The Vazomica Foundation Incorporated Hickory Ridge Studio Tim Michael, instructor of architecture, won the of class, power, race, and assimilation, which Lou’s Internal Medicine East Edwards’ work from the past 15 years. Edwards’ paint- Shivani Singh William R Eubanks Interior Design Incorporated 2008 Masonry Construction Magazine’s Residential father, a native from Canton Province in China, shared Media Source ings were also included in “Water Works” an invitational Ms. Jane Braddock Sipes Project of the Year for the Woodard Residence located with his family. Philip and Zula Slavick $5,000 to $9,999 Regions Morgan Keegan Trust in downtown Memphis. watercolor exhibition at the Memphis College of Art’s Zula R Slavick Renae’s Window Treatment On the Street Gallery; she was selected as one of the Greely Myatt, professor of art, served on the Hamilton Media Group Jimmie Tucker, adjunct professor of architecture, Ms. Denise M Smith Schering Plough Foundation Incorporated four artists for the River Arts Fest invitational Art Show National Screening Committee for Sculpture/ Scripps Howard Foundation The Antiquarians was elected 2008 president of the Memphis Chapter Mr. and Mrs. Dewayne C Smith Waitzkin Memorial Library Trust at Askew, Nixon, Ferguson Architects in Memphis, Installation Art for Fulbright Fellowships at the Institute Volunteer Enterprises-Benco Sales of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He will Mr. James R Smith Jr. and exhibited in “Artists at Play: The Art of the Toy” in of International Education in New York and gave a also serve on the 2009 AIA Tennessee Board of Ms. Lauren Smith the Bradbury Gallery of Arkansas State University in lecture at The University of the South in Sewanee, Ms. Patricia F Smith $2,500 to $4,999 Up to $99 Directors. Tucker presented at the annual conference ArvinMeritor Jonesboro. Tennessee. Myatt exhibited work in a solo exhibition Dr. Robert V Smythe A and P Associates of the National Organization of Minority Architects Blues City Cafe ”Sometimes I settle for a chuckle” at the University of Dr. Grace H Speer AT&T Gary Golightly, associate professor of graphic Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (NOMA) on the work of Paul Revere Williams (1894- the South, a group exhibition “Heartland” at the Van Drs Harold and Grace Speer Barbco Wood Products design, received Awards of Excellence for three pieces EP Delta Kitchen and Bar 1980). Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, Netherlands and a two Mr. David W Spencer Bill Howard Company that he entered in the 38th Annual UCDA (University & Mr. William J Stanek James E and Katherine B Harwood Charitable Trust Cannon and Company CPA PC James Williamson, associate professor of archi- person exhibition “us: Pinkney Herbert/Greely Myatt,” Lemag LLC College Designers Association) Design Competition. Ms. Sherri G Stephens Emerson Electric Company tecture, was chair of the 2008 AIA Memphis Design at Kunstruimte NP 40 in Amsterdam. Memphis University School Mr. Mike M Stevenson F Blair and Jamie B Wright Rev Trust Donalyn Heise, assistant professor of art education Procter and Gamble Fund Awards Committee. He was also chair of the 2008 Val Oliver joined the Department of Art for a one- Ms. Gail S Steward Laura Derrington Writing Services and art education program coordinator, was chosen Robinson Family Foundation Interfaith Forum on Religious Art and Architecture year appointment. She teaches painting and drawing Mr. Donald P Stewart Lenow International Incorporated (IFRAA), a Knowledge Community of the AIA. for the Beverly Levett Gerber Special Needs Lifetime Ms. Mary T Sullivan The Commercial Appeal Taylored Lawns and Gardens Inc and is an accomplished educator and professional Williamson chaired an IFRAA Conference in Rome Achievement Award. The award recognizes art educa- The Hutchinson Clinic TCB for Elvis

26 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 27 Faculty, Staff, Students & Alumni lished an article titled “Patterns of Reinterpretation in Bob Hetherington, professor of theater and sponsored by the University of Memphis Honors African-American Music of the United States,” in African chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance recently Department. His presentation, entitled “The Evolution Perspectives: Pre-Colonial History, Anthropology, and directed a production of the musical 1776 for Circuit of the Negro Spiritual: History, Function, and Message,” Ethnomusicology. Playhouse in Memphis, which successfully played received superior ratings and was selected for pre- artist. She holds an MFA from SUNY Buffalo and a BFA makers and professors of communication are currently Beena White, assistant professor of journalism, has to full houses throughout its five-week run. This past sentation at the annual Tennessee Collegiate Honors from the Memphis College of Art. working on a longer version of the documentary that Nicholas Holland, associate director of bands and received a VOX award from the Memphis Chapter of summer, his essay on Leonard Bernstein’s “Wonderful Council statewide conference at Austin Peay State will include more material. area coordinator of instrumental and music educa- Todd Richardson joined the art history program the Public Relations Society of American for her work Town” was published in the house programs for the University in February 2009. Willis was also selected tion, published “Sound Pressure Levels Measured in as an assistant professor. He received his Ph.D. from Jill Greenman has joined the Department of promoting the Memphis Greek Festival. production at The Shaw Festival of Canada in Ontario. to participate in “The Posters at the Capitol” where a University Concert Band: A Risk of Noise-Induced the Universiteit Leiden, in the Netherlands. With two Communication as an assistant professor for a one- he will present his research to state legislators in Jin Yang, assistant professor of journalism, has Hearing Loss?” in the Fall/Winter 2008 issue of master’s degrees in religion and a B.A. in philoso- year appointment. For the past four years, Jill has Nashville, Tennessee. Willis’ research presentation was written an article titled “One War, Three Pictures: A Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. phy Richardson, who specializes in Netherlandish served as a graduate assistant for the department Cross-Country Analysis of the 2003 Iraq War,” which Student News selected and submitted for application to the National renaissance art, brings a highly valued interdisciplinary while earning her Ph.D. this past summer. Before has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Albert Nguyen joined the Scheidt School of Conference on Undergraduate Research, which will be approach to the study of art history. receiving her Ph.D. in communication from the U of Global Mass Communication. Music as Director of the Mighty Sound of the South held in April 2009. M this past summer, Greenman worked in the public marching band. Nguyen is a graduate of the University Niles Wallace, professor of art, showed work in Professors Joe Hayden, Jin Yang, Sandra Utt, and Architecture relations field. She earned her M.S.J. in journalism from of Texas at Austin with a D.M.A. and M.M. in wind/ “Nappy-Headed Stranger,“ a solo exhibition at Rhodes David Arant, chair of the Department of journalism, Kate Bidwell, third year architecture student, was Northwestern University and her bachelor’s degree band conducting and received a B.M. in music educa- Alumni News College this past fall. This was Wallace’s first one per- as well as professor emeritus Elinor Grusin partici- one of six U of M students selected to present work from DePauw University. tion from Arkansas Tech University. He has served as son show in Memphis in more than 15 years, featuring pated in the 91st Annual Conference of the Association conductor of the University of Texas Concert Band and from the Honors Program Works in Progress at the simple structures from found materials like carpet and Kris Markman, assistant professor of communica- for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication the Longhorn Concert Band. He has taught in public “Posters at the Capitol,” an event at the Tennessee recycled wood as well as pieces that reflect Wallace’s tion, taught a new special topics course titled “Media Art (AEJMC) in Chicago this past August. schools in Morrilton and Fort Smith, Arkansas. Capitol building in Nashville. Bidwell also completed work from the past few years. Wallace presented a 2.0: Production & Distribution in the Internet Age,” this an internship with GreenSpaces in Chattanooga, Anthony Biggers, graphic design MFA ’08 was lecture on his work. past fall. The course examined how the Internet and Susan Owen-Leinert, assistant professor of voice, Tennessee. appointed visiting professor at Alabama Agricultural and related technologies are offering alternative means for has founded The Spohr Society of the United States Mechanical University in Huntsville. Nancy White, associate professor of art, had work Music Alžběta Bowden, architecture graduate student, producing and distributing entertainment and informa- along with her husband, Michael Leinert, stage director, included in an exhibition at the University of Chicago’s Mary Carroll, fourth year architecture student, Alysa tion content. Lily Afshar, professor of classical guitar, released a dramaturg, and author. The aim of the Spohr Society Smart Museum of Art and the Van Abbemuseum in DVD entitled “Virtuoso Guitar“ with Mel Bay, Inc. She is to promote the music of the German romantic Butterfield, fourth year interior design student, and Eindhoven, the Netherlands, as well as in an invita- Steve Ross, professor of communication, produced Journalism performed as a soloist with the Tupelo Symphony composer Louis Spohr (1784-1859) in the U.S. and Philip Jaynes, architecture alum, participated in the tional exhibition at North West Mississippi Community a video tribute to Knox Phillips for CCFA’s 2008 Orchestra and gave a lecture and recital at M.R. Dye other countries with the focus on his Lieder (songs), Sustainable Technologies Awareness Day and the Suheir Rasul, journalism M.A. ’08, was named co- College and a sculpture exhibition at L. Ross Gallery in Distinguished Achievement Award, which was pre- Public Library in Horn Lake, both in Mississippi. Afshar oratorios, and operas. EcoBuild Home Tour and represented the Department director of the Jerusalem office of Search for Common Memphis. sented to Phillips this past October. Ross was invited to also performed concerts and taught master classes of Architecture and the TERRA demonstration house. Ground (SFCG), an international non-profit organization the Everson Museum in Syracuse, New York to present Randal Rushing, Interim Director of the School focusing on conflict transformation and collaborative at 1st Pera International Guitar Festival in Istanbul, Heidi Dawson, first year interior design student, his film “Winslow Homer: Society and Solitude,” which of Music and professor of voice, recently traveled to problem solving. Turkey; Niavaran Cultural Foundation, Barbod Music and her company Diva Redesign Group in partnership CCFA began its distribution on public television stations Germany to work with conductor and singer Peter Institute, House of Artists, and Rudaki Hall all in Tehran, with Stoneridge Builders won “Best Decorating” and nationwide this past fall. It has been broadcast on Schreier at the Hochschule für Musik in Duisburg. Moira Logan, CCFA Associate Dean and Director of Iran, as well as at Hafez Hall in Shiraz, Iran, Berkshire “Best Curb Appeal” for their work in the Jackson Area WKNO in Memphis and more than 100 stations across research and Graduate Studies, performed the role of Community College in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, The Kevin Sanders joined the School of Music as an Homebuilders Homeshow. Music the country. Vespone, an actress and mime, in “Pergolesi’s Home 8th Annual Guitar Festival of the Classical Guitar Society assistant professor of tuba. He holds a D.M.A. from Colby Mitchell, third year architecture student, was Justin Johnson, who is in his first year as marching Service,” a contemporary comic opera presented by of Upstate New York, in Oneona, the 15th Annual Michigan State University, a M.M. from The Julliard elected President of the U of M student organization band director at Central High School in Memphis, the Chamber Opera of Memphis. Logan attended Festival Hispanoamericano de Guitarra in Tijuana, School and a B.M. from Indiana University. Most recent- Empowered Men of Color. Mitchell was also awarded was the subject of a feature article in the Commercial the International Conference of Fine Arts Deans in Journalism Mexico, the MANC Guitar Festival in Greensboro, ly he has been a visiting instructor at the Crane School an honors study abroad scholarship for research in Appeal in September. Portland, Oregon, Carrie Brown joined the Department of Journalism North Carolina, Knoxville/Oakridge Classical Guitar of Music (State University of New York), a faculty China. Kofi Martin, music performance B.M. ‘08, has as an assistant professor. Brown returned to academia Society, North High School Auditorium in Downers member at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and a faculty Richard R. Ranta, CCFA Dean, was reelected been invited to become a member of the 2009 after spending three years managing a training pro- Grove, Illinois, Art Cage Gallery and Cultural Center in member at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith. treasurer of the Southern Arts Federation. He was a International Honors Wind Symphony to perform in gram for the Committee of Concerned Journalists. She Amsterdam and Bashgah “Golshan,” in The Hague, member of a national study of the “Future of Fine Lecolion Washington, assistant professor of Avery Fisher Hall (home of the NY Philharmonic) at received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Netherlands. Art Arts” at a meeting of a dozen Fine Arts Deans held at bassoon, and Michelle Vigneau, assistant professor Lincoln Center on May 23, 2009. The concert will John Baur, assistant director of the Scheidt School Sarah Boyce, Rebecca Shellabarger, and Kyle Eastern Michigan University. Brown Burnett joined the Department of of oboe, were featured guest artists at the University feature 75 invited young musicians from around the of Music and professor of composition and graduate Wingo were featured in “Brooks Introduces,” a series Journalism as an instructor. Burnett began his journal- of Alabama Double Reed Day. An article written by world. of exhibitions organized by the Memphis Brooks ism career at the early age of 15 as a sportswriter and theory, was on faculty leave during the fall semester, Washington entitled “Music for Bassoon by African- Museum of Art, designed to showcase the work of Anthony “Tony” Reedus, drummer and former CMA feature writer with the Calhoun County Journal in his working on Magdala, a new opera based on the life of American Composers” was published in Vol. 31, No. 3 emerging, young artists who are enrolled in art pro- member of the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra, hometown of Bruce, Mississippi. After graduation with Mary Magdalene. In addition to his work on the opera, of The Double Reed, the journal for the International Michael Schmidt, associate professor of graphic grams, or who have recently graduated. died in November. He was a native of Memphis and a B.A. in journalism from the University of Mississippi, Baur has produced a piano quintet (piano plus string Double Reed Society. design and director of the Center for Multimedia Arts nephew of the late jazz pianist James Williams. While he worked as a magazine and newspaper editor, copy quartet), which will be performed by the Ceruti Quartet Stephen Almond, Tim Kinard, Elizabeth Owen, (CMA), co-authored “Visualizing Meaningful Assent: Kraig Alan Williams, associate professor of con- attending Memphis State University in 1978, Reedus editor, reporter, feature writer, page designer, makeup with Victor Asuncion at the Music School’s 2009 and Clare Torina, U of M fine arts students and gradu- Interactive Media Design for Pediatric Advance Care ducting and Director of Bands, was resident conductor was recruited by Woody Shaw. He left the University editor for various news publications including The Imagine Festival in March. ates, showed new work in “Double Date,” an exhibition Planning,” which was published in the fall 2008 at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina this when he was just 19 years old and joined Shaw’s Commercial Appeal, as well as in public relations, Jack Cooper, associate professor of jazz and at Marshall Arts Gallery in Memphis, which ran through issue of The International Journal of Healthcare & past summer. He also conducted the Transylvania band. advertising and communications. February 16, 2009. Humanities. Schmidt presented “Employing Visual area coordinator of jazz studies, has been chosen Symphony Orchestra and was the orchestral assistant Thomas Rimes, former student of Pu-Qi Jiang, pre- Design to Support an Ethical Decision-Making Vicki Dabney joined the Department of Journalism for an ASCAPLUS award by the American Society of for Keith Lockhart, artistic advisor and principal conduc- Jessa Wilcoxen, a graduate student in graphic sented the premiere performance of his first full-length Process Regarding High-Risk Clinical Trials in Pediatric as an assistant professor of advertising. Dabney has Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). Cooper tor of the Boston Pops Orchestra. design, had six illustrations accepted into “Getting Out,” performed on and recorded the U of M’s new big band opera, “The Long Ride Home,” at the Independent Oncology” at the 6th Annual Medical Humanities more than 25 years of advertising, public relations, J. Copeland Woodruff joined the Music School an exhibition of work by graduate students from The jazz orchestra CD Coming Through Slaughter. Planned Theatre in North Sydney, Australia this past summer. Consortium Meeting in Pennsylvania, and “Legacy promotions, and marketing experience and is a former as an assistant professor for opera studies. He is a University of Mississippi, the University of Memphis, release for the CD is late 2009. Cooper’s commis- Building and the Suffering Child’s Sense of the Future” board member of the Memphis Advertising Federation. graduate of the University of Indiana with an M.S. in and the Memphis College of Art, held at Northwest Scott Hines, D.M.A. graduate in music composi- sioned euphonium work “One of the Missing,” was at the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities stage directing for opera and the University of South Mississippi Community College this past November. tion, had his electronic composition, “Dreaming Again,” Under the leadership of Joe Hayden, assistant premiered this past June by John Mueller, associate Annual Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. Carolina with an M.F.A. in theatrical design, a M.M. and performed at the Akdeniz University Fine Arts Faculty professor of journalism, several journalism faculty professor of trombone and euphonium and pianist B.M. in vocal performance. His most recent teaching Building in Antalya, Turkey. Eric Wilson, multimedia producer at the CMA, members and graduate students are working with the Donna Loewy at the International Tuba Euphonium experience includes positions at Oberlin Conservatory, Music completed several public service announcements for civic organization Common Ground to help improve Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. As staff arranger for Temple University, and Yale University. Copeland has Memphis Crime Stoppers, Memphis Youth Symphony, race relations in Memphis. Alfred Publishing ,Cooper wrote a new jazz ensemble Mikah Meyer, music performance senior, has directed productions at Oberlin, the Harrower Opera the Shelby County Office of Early Childhood and Youth, arrangement of “On A Clear Day” to be released in been selected as a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar for Thomas Hrach joined the Department of Workshop, New York City Opera, Chautauqua Opera, and the Memphis Police Department’s Operation international distribution in 2009. He also wrote six 2009/10. Meyer plans to enroll at the Royal Academy Journalism as an assistant professor. Hrach received and Indiana University Studio Opera. Blue C.R.U.S.H. His post-Hurricane Katrina documen- his Ph.D. in journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of new jazz orchestra/vocal arrangements for the jazz CD of Music in London for his graduate studies this fall. tary “After the Storm” was aired on WKNO this past Journalism at Ohio University this past summer. Prior and touring show “The Music of Betty Boop,” which Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra’s CD release September. to coming to Memphis, he was a teaching associate at was premiered at the University of Illinois at Urbana- Theatre & Dance Voices received an excellent review in the 2008-09 Ohio University. Along with his academic experience, Champaign this past November. He served as a special issue of The Jazz Education Guide, a publication of Jazz Hrach has worked 18 years as an editor and reporter at craft committee member for the National Acadamy of Sarah Brown joined the Department of Theatre & Times. The article praised the group’s “rich ensemble Communication two Ohio newspapers. Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) in the nomi- Dance as a tenure-track assistant professor of theatre sound” and “playing that is so impressive and has the nating process for the 2008/09 Grammy Awards. after serving a one-year appointment. She teaches Babyland, the documentary by David Appleby and Sandra Utt, associate professor of journalism, feeling of being effortless on what must have been Cooper’s clarinet sonata for his new chamber music various levels of acting and audition preparation. Brown Craig Leake about infant mortality in Memphis was is on leave this year so she can serve as a visiting rather difficult charts to master.” CD with Centaur Records was recorded in December. received her M.F.A. in Acting from Yale School of featured as a one-hour report anchored by Elizabeth professor in the in the Department of Marketing and Drama in 1994. Franklin Willis, music education senior, pre- Vargas on ABC’s “20/20” this past August. The film- Communication at Emerson College in Boston. David Evans, professor of musicology, has pub- sented research at the Works in Progress Symposium,

28 VOICES WINTER 2009 ccfa.memphis.edu 29 Reginald Brown Premieres Richard Wright Adaptation at U of M

In conjunction with the Richard Wright Centennial celebration at the University of Memphis this past October, Reginald Brown, assistant profes- sor of theatre, premiered his solo performance of Wright’s The Man Who Saw the Flood , The Ethics of Living Jim Crow , and Down by the Riverside for the Memphis audience. In June, Brown had previewed the play at the Richard Wright Centennial Conference at the American University of Paris, France. “I got turned on to the works of Richard Wright in 1979, when I was an undergraduate student at Rutgers University,” Brown remembers. “One of my first performances was in a production of Wright’s playThe Long Dream, which consequently inspired me to read more about Wright. When Brown graduated from Rutgers, he co-founded the Ensemble Theatre Company of Newark, whose mission was to continue adapting literature for the stage to generate interest in the works of novelists and Reginald Brown, assistant professor of theatre in his solo performance, “Performing Richard Wright,” during the Richard Wright Centennial Celebration at the University of poets who, as Brown puts it, “linger in obscurity.” Memphis this past October. “We felt that performing literary works would generate interest in the writers’ material, and in this specific instance in Richard Wright.” With expose as many people as possible to the words of Richard Wright.” Wright’s work high on the Company’s list, he contacted Wright’s widow, Brown was able to meet Julia Wright in 2007 and share the progress Ellen, in the early 1980s and received permission to adapt Uncle Tom’s of his solo project. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Julia Wright Children . When pursuing his MFA in theatre at Virginia Commonwealth suggested that Brown include The Man Who Saw the Flood with the two University, Brown received permission from Wright’s daughter, Julia, to pieces he had already adapted for the solo performance. adapt Fire and Cloud for his master thesis. “What is most amazing about Wright’s work is that it is just as relevant “I was surprised how many students hadn’t heard of Wright or read any today as it was when it was first written,” Brown says. Future plans for the of his works,” Brown says. “I knew then that, as an educator, I wanted to solo performance include an expanded version and a tour.

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