COFAC TODAY Spring 2016 C OL L E G E OF F I N E A RT S A N D C OM M U N IC AT ION THE KAT’S MEOW Towson University vocal performance senior Katerina Burton gets national notice COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 1 COFAC TODAY COL L EGE OF F I N E A RTS A N D COM M U N IC AT ION Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication: Susan Picinich Editor: Sedonia Martin Sr. Communications Manager University Marketing and Communications Associate Editor: Marissa Berk-Smith Communications and Outreach Coordinator College of Fine Arts and Communication Dean, College of Fine Arts & Communication: Susan Picinich Writer: Wanda Haskel University Marketing and Communications Editor: Sedonia Martin Sr. Communications Manager University Marketing and Communications Designer: Daryana Rudenko University Marketing and Communications Communications and Outreach Coordinator: Marissa Berk-Smith College of Fine Arts and Communication Writers: Ray Feldmann University Marketing and Communications Wanda Haskel University Marketing and Communications Designer: Daryana Rudenko University Marketing and Communications Cover Photo: Photography: Kanji Takeno, Lauren Castellana Towson University Photographic Services Table of Contents: 4 The Kat's Meow 6 Lighting a Fire Cover Photo: 2 FAC Katerina CO Burton, To ’16 day performance major, Center for the Arts Recital Hall vocal Photo by Kanji Takeno . 7 9 12 14 16 19 Threads of History Making their Mark Major Leaguer Class Act Opportunity in the House In Memoriam Dear Friends, Families, and Colleagues, T his spring COFAC wrapped up its celebration of Towson University’s 150th anniversary. Our first contribution was the spectacular Dance on Bones, a collection of short interdisciplinary works featuring actors, singers, artists and jazz musicians—all telling a story. Composer, multimedia artist, editor and author DJ Spooky (Paul D. Miller) visited Towson as COFAC’s 150th anniversary speaker, presenting brilliant master classes, performances and lectures during his three-day stay. The Department of Theater Arts assembled a fascinating historic clothing collection exhibition, 150 Years of Black & Gold: Baltimore Fashion and Style in Towson. While our college has been very busy celebrating this remarkable institution, current students have been Kanji Takeno getting real-world experience in their chosen disciplines. Center Stage Theater has temporarily relocated to the Center for the Arts, enabling theater major Josh Shuman Fall '16, to work with the crew to develop new skills and show off his already impressive knowledge of theater design and production. On the opposite coast, Jack Dunlop, EMF ‘16, is finishing his degree remotely after landing his dream job in Los Angeles with the Electronic Sports League, the NFL of professional eSports. Voice performance major Katerina Burton ‘16, already a star at TU, received the Metropolitan Opera’s 2015 Encouragement Award and was selected as an alternate in a master class series at Carnegie Hall. COFAC alumni have been making a splash on the national arts scene. Alex Ebstein ‘15, MFA Studio Art, and Ellie Dent ‘13, Art + Design, are gaining extraordinary recognition in exhibitions from Miami to Rome. Recent theater graduates founded a local theater company, The Oven, whose mission is to produce theater for social change experiences. They accomplished that with their first production, Gone, an intense performance about sex trafficking. Dance major Michelle Michenor ‘10, made it to the big screen working alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, and Wesley Snipes in Spike Lee’s latest film, Chi-Raq. We are thrilled with her success and can’t wait to see what she will do next. To read more about COFAC students and the wonderful projects and events taking place here, visit our website (www.towson.edu/cofac). Our Arts and Culture Calendar (www.towson.edu/main/artsculture/) lists a wide array of upcoming dance, music and theater performances, art exhibitions, film screenings and community programs. I hope you’ll enjoy the many success stories featured in this issue of COFAC Today. Susan E. Picinich, Dean College of Fine Arts and Communication COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 3 THE KAT’S MEOW Katerina Burton, voice performance ’16, may also brought home a coveted Encouragement be diminutive in stature, but her rich voice Award—a signal that the Met has its and warm, dazzling presence fill a room. eye on her. The soprano is already a star on campus, Burton says the achievement helped validate regularly wowing audiences in Towson her decision to pursue her big dream of Towson University vocal performance senior Katerina Burton gets national notice University operatic productions, such as The taking the stage as a member of a prominent, Magic Flute, and Suor Angelica—for which international opera company. she performed the lead (in Italian, of course). “I feel like I can do this,” she says with humble B Y WA N D A H A S K E L But these days, as Burton looks toward gradu- confidence. “I can make a career doing what ate school and plans for a career in opera, her I love best.” arias are reaching far beyond the confines of Burton’s private voice teacher agrees. Kaplan Concert Hall, to the ears of some of the most influential people in the world of classical voice. And she’s making those folks sit up and listen. At 21, Burton was the youngest vocalist at the 2015 Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Mid-Atlantic). Not only did she hold her own with more seasoned singers in this highly prestigious competition, but she 4 CO FAC To day “Katerina is the ‘whole package,’” says Teri Bickham, who leads the TU Vocal Division. “I expect she will go as far as she’d like to in this field and do it with graciousness and beauty. She is truly a rare talent and lovely person.” Further kudos came this year from none other than New York’s legendary Carnegie Hall, It doesn’t matter what language you speak. Everybody under- stands music. Katerina Burton, ’16 vocal performance major, performs in the Center for the Arts Recital Hall. Photo by Kanji Takeno. Katerina Burton where Burton was selected as an alternate “You are looking at the music, taking it apart, out (and sticking to) a strict nutritional plan, to perform in a master-class series with learning the notes and the character,” says practically every moment in Burton’s life, even renowned artists Marilyn Horne, Stephanie Burton. “You just have to sit down and really when she’s not singing, has to do with singing. Blythe and Sir Thomas Allen. spend the time.” Dedicated Diva As all music majors know, the road to this kind of success is long, exhausting and sometimes discouraging. “People think we just show up and sing,” laughs Burton, “but it’s not that easy!” On top of the rigorous curriculum required by TU’s music department, the Ocean City, Maryland, native spends another three hours “Katerina’s success is due to a combination It also takes time and tremendous discipline of natural ability, diligence, her humble to improve and maintain vocal technique. nature, her ability to give of herself, her desire Burton points out that the voice continues to learn, her healthy ambition, her trust in developing until we are in our 30s. So, people who are guiding her, her comfort in regular vocal training involves adapting herself as a person besides being a singer,” and readapting. says Bickham, “and most of all her ability to Recently, the singer went through work extremely hard.” a voice change. But it’s all worth it for Burton because of her “I had to completely reconstruct my idea of breathing,” she says. “You have to realign everything!” daily training her instrument and preparing Additionally, vocalists of Burton’s caliber for roles. With opera, that means being a must prioritize physical and mental wellness. vocalist and an actress, in any number of Not doing so can have disastrous effects languages. on their voices. From constantly tending to deep and abiding love of opera and desire to share it with the world. Whether in Italian, French, Russian, German or English, the words resonate. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak,” says the opera singer. “Everybody understands music.” ■ tension in the mind and body, to mapping COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 5 LIGHTING A FIRE The Oven theater company addresses burning issues B Y WA N D A H A S K E L Sadie Lockhart is passionate about theater and advocating for social change. So when the 2015 Towson graduate saw an opportunity to combine the two, it was a no-brainer. Lockhart, who earned a BFA in acting, is a founding member of The Oven theater company. Led by director Jackson Phippin, the company, which also includes recent TU alumni Katha- rine Ariyan, Chelsea Blackwell, Clifford Doby and Alex Shade, is dedicated to creating theater that illuminates tough topics, inspiring audiences to think, start conversations and maybe even take action. “We hope to bring new perspective and understanding to many injustices in this world,” says Lockhart, “all the while craft-fully captivating you in an experience that is more than just an evening of theater.” The Oven is doing just that, exploding onto the Baltimore theater scene with its first produc- tion Gone in January at the Baltimore Theater Project. The intense work, conceived from scratch by the company, takes on the devastating subject of sex trafficking, which the cast says doesn’t get the attention it desperately needs. The show, however, got lots of attention, with rave reviews from the likes of DC Metro Theater Arts and J. Wynn Rousuck. To further increase awareness and understanding about sex trafficking, The Oven invited a social worker and a special victims’ specialist to lead post-show discussions. The speakers brought home the harsh truth for audiences that sex trafficking is not just a problem in other parts of the world, but also right here in Baltimore. Although Gone’s run at the Theater Project is over, The Oven is not ready to say goodbye to the piece yet. The company offered performance-theater art based around the topic of sex trafficking on the TU campus this spring. Currently, company members are revamping Gone for fringe theater festivals. ■ TOP PHOTO: Sadie Lockhart, ’15 BFA in acting, second from left, and cast members of Gone at The Oven theater company. Submitted photo. BOTTOM PHOTO:  Cast members of Gone. Submitted photo. 6 CO FAC To day THREADS OF HISTORY Theater arts department preserves the past through Historic Clothing Collection B Y WA N D A H A S K E L Towson University’s Costume Shop is abustle lens through which to explore history. From with activity. Sewing machines whir on bustle gowns to flapper dresses to wartime spacious work tables. Stately dress forms give suits with patriotic embellishments, attire shape to exquisite garments, and meticulously tells the story of an era’s values and struggles. crafted costumes fill racks awaiting the casts For example, the cut of a garment might of Mainstage productions. reflect societal attitudes on women’s rights. But what’s visible in this big, open space is Details, such as a beaded eagle emblem on a only a fraction of the treasures in the care of dinner dress, can speak to a time’s prevailing the folks who work here. nationalism. An adjacent room, stacked to the ceiling Clothing’s dimensions are also revealing. with boxes and portable wardrobes, houses Towson University’s Historic Clothing Standing side-by-side with a dress from 150 years ago imparts a striking understanding of Collection, featuring more than 2,000 original the original wearer’s actual size. garments dating to the early 19th century. “People are amazed at how tiny the garments are,” laughs the assistant professor, pointing A Good FIT to the waistline on a crinoline period gown When TUs costume designer Julie Potter 22 inches. whose circumference can’t measure more than started at the university six years ago, she inherited the massive collection that has been building through donations since the 1970s. Teaching TOOLS With a mind toward finding new ways to One way Potter has breathed new life into the share and learn from the collection, Potter collection is to take samples into her Costume, has been working, aided by staff researcher Dress and Society class. Experiencing the Kathy Abbott, to sort through and catalog the garments in their true three-dimensional forms artifacts, and determine the best uses for the has an impact on students you just can’t get pieces. from a photograph. Lovingly handling a mid-1860s silk day dress Potter also assigns a project in which students (personified by the pronoun “she”), Potter pick a piece of clothing to research and then explains that fashion offers a unique and fun write a diary page from the point of view of 7 The exhibit was very successful with the public, and that is going to help us do even more with the collection in the future. Julie Potter, TU Costume Designer a person who might have worn it. The result Also part of the team were Kathy Abbott and is a valuable perspective on the events and TU recent alum Emily McCort, theatre conditions of the day. arts ’15, who did exhibit selection, research As the university’s resident costume designer, and design. Potter and her student designers also use the Some of McCort’s favorite pieces include a clothing to inform and inspire their work floral bustle gown from the late 1800s and the for theater productions. When costuming diaphanous summer day dresses worn during for a period piece, she and her students pull the first two decades of the 20th century. Mul- garments and “lift patterns” from them or tiple samples of the white, lacy frocks hung look to the details, such as period lace, on a grey exhibit wall, demonstrating their to replicate. popularity. Other highlights were a 1920s “It really lends the costumes an authentic air,” black silk dress designed by Jeanne Lanvin, says Potter. and a stunning wedding gown from 1893. Not to mention adding depth to the educa- Visitors, reports Potter, were particularly tional experience student designers are getting. delighted by The Baltimore Room, which On DISPLAY and a 1950s cocktail dress, from Hutzler's, In celebration of Towson University’s 150th Baltimore’s iconic department store, and local designers. Anniversary, Potter took the opportunity to For such a short run at a time when most share some of the gems from the Historic students were away from campus, organiz- Clothing Collection with the public. ers were pleased that the attendance was The exhibit, titled 150 Years of Black & Gold: relatively high with around 650 visitors. Baltimore Fashion and Style in Towson, was “A lot of people didn’t know this collection on view in the Center for the Arts Holtzman existed,” says Potter, “and it’s really nice that gallery for two weeks in January. the first time out of gate we were met with As curator, Potter built the exhibit around the such enthusiasm.” anniversary theme, selecting approximately “The exhibit was very successful with the 30 items representing every era since the public, and that is going to help us do even Maryland State Normal School was estab- more with the collection in the future.” lished in 1865. Fashion 8 details from the 150 Years of Black & Gold Baltimore CO FAC To day Fashion and Style exhibition. Photo’s by Lauren Castellana showcased items, including a fur coat, hats ■ MAKING THEIR MARK TU graduates take the art world by storm B Y WA N D A H A S K E L Alex Ebstein, ’15, MFA studio art, mixed media. Submitted photo. The Northeast offers plenty of high-quality artists who are gaining remarkable levels of “I felt like if I didn’t take time to take my educational options for artists. Increasingly, public recognition. studio practice seriously,” says Ebstein, “it however, the best and brightest are choosing to attend Towson University for their training. With modern facilities, an attentive faculty and a reasonable price tag, TU is attracting major talent who are going on to make it big in the highly competitive art world. “I am always amazed by our students,” says TU Associate Professor Amanda Burnham (who graduated from Yale University’s elite MFA program). was going to get completely eclipsed.” Body of Work Ebstein, studio art ’15, was already a significant player in the Baltimore art scene before starting the MFA program at Towson in 2013. An accomplished artist, curator and critic, she co-founded and co-directed—with TU alum Seth Adelsberger—the groundbreak- ing Nudashank gallery. Between 2009 and 2013, Nudashank exhibited the work of more So she stepped back from running the gallery, using her time at Towson to explore perspectives on the human form. The result is powerful and irreverent paintings created with the ubiquitous body-conforming yoga mat. The series caught the eye of the Cuevas Til- leard gallery in New York City’s Lower East Side, which presented Form/Fit in 2015, the artist’s first solo exhibition in the Big Apple. “Our graduates are as visible, if not more vis- than 150 emerging artists in its downtown “It’s very rare for any graduate of an MFA ible, in the local art scene and in the broader Baltimore space and in local and national program to have a solo show in a New national art scene as students from the top exhibitions, publications and art fairs. York gallery that’s reviewed by The New programs and art schools in the country. That’s really something.” She was also independently curating for regional galleries and contributing art Two prime examples are recent graduates critiques to multiple publications—all while Alex Ebstein and Ellie Dent, both young trying to fit in her own work. York Times,” says Burnham (referring to a December 2015 write-up in the renowned newspaper), “at ANY point in their career, let alone right after graduating. This is incredibly impressive.” COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 9 I felt like if I didn’t take time to take my studio practice seriously. It was going to get completely eclipsed. Alex Ebstein Riding high on the momentum from her New York success, Ebstein currently is exhibiting work Alex Ebstein, ’15, MFA studio art, works on paper. Submitted photo. at Frutta Gallery in Rome (a two-person show in which her pieces fill a whole room in the two- room space); and has upcoming exhibitions in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. In addition, she recently opened a new Baltimore gallery called Phoebe. The Art of Science Ellie Dent graduated from the BFA program in 2013. While at Towson, she applied her fascina- tion with biology to her art. “I have this strange hypochondriac infatuation with illness,” laughs Dent, who is pursuing her MFA at the University of Georgia. Lucky for the art-loving public, she figured out how to focus her fear into her creative practice, producing a series of works in 2015 that are simultaneously whimsical and creepy, beautiful and grotesque. Using materials, including fabric, wire, natural dyes and surgical tools, Dent masterfully created objects that mimic human innards (think intestines), scabs and bloody bits. Placed inside specimen jars, the biological vignettes somehow manage to appear at once realistic and fanciful. Dent was thrilled to find out that the collection would be exhibited as part of Satellite Projects in Miami Beach during 2015 Art Basel—arguably the world’s most influential art fair. “It was an incredible experience,” says the Baltimore native. “It was really great to connect with other artists … from all over the United States.” And to top it off, while she was in Florida, Dent’s work was featured in an article and on the Instagram feed of the big-time arts blogazine Hyperallergic. “It’s a very hard thing to do to operate within the gallery system,” remarks Burnham, “and Ellie is well on her way to doing that.” Dent says that her mentors at Towson have a lot to do with where she is today and her choice to go into teaching. “I want to help other people the way they helped me.” 10 CO FAC To day ■ TOP PHOTO: “Panacea” collection by Ellie Dent, ’13 BFA BOTTOM PHOTO : Ellie Dent, ’13, BFA in her Athens, Georgia studio. Both: Submitted photos COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 11 Jack Dunlap, ’16, EMF, commentator and host for the Call of Duty World League at Electronic Sports League (ESL). ESL submitted photos. MAJOR LEAGUER Think online gaming is just for antisocial types? Towson student is lured to LA for dream job with Electronic Sports League commentator and host for the Call of Duty World League is “building friendships” with the pro B Y WA N D A H A S K E L Think again. Meet the gregarious Jack Dunlop, who is building a career in the industry that he says is all about camaraderie. In fact, one of the electronic media and film (EMF) major’s favorite parts of his new job as a gamers, and now colleagues, he has admired for years. Getting paid to buddy up with his idols at Electronic Sports League (ESL) is “more than a dream come true,” says Dunlop. That’s why he was willing to trade his final term on campus (he’s working to finish his degree remotely) for a head start on real life, moving to Los Angeles in December 2015. If ESL is considered the NFL of professional eSports, then Dunlop is the organization’s version of a young Al Michaels, doing live commentary, interviews and play-by-play. The teams of profes- sional gamers aren’t on a field, though. Instead, they vie for big bucks playing Call of Duty: Black Ops III in dark rooms from the comfort of sleek, black swivel chairs. Uniforms are matching T-shirts with giant sponsor logos. And gear includes not helmets, but headsets. With a seemingly endless well of knowledge on the games and the players, Dunlop’s on-camera presence is at once authoritative and relaxed, insightful and humorous. At 21, he has the air of a seasoned sportscaster that belies his youth. 12 CO FAC To day “Jack is one of our very best students,” says His intense interest turned into a passion “The EMF department has some great TU Associate Professor David Reiss, general as he established an online presence and professors,” says Dunlop, “and I’m extremely manager of Towson’s student-run television attended tournaments, developing connec- grateful for everything they taught me and tions with people in all aspects of the industry. how they helped me prepare for my career.” Those relationships led to an internship with Those faculty members, like David Reiss station, WMJF-TV. “It comes as no surprise that he was hired as a producer/commentator, as the skills he acquired at EMF are well suited to Major League Gaming (MLG) in New York City the summer before his sophomore year. the position.” And when the host of MLG’s daily live show Fast Track thus far worked only behind the scenes for MLG, asked for a shot to fill in. From childhood Nintendo battles with older He got it. And the bigwigs were so impressed cousins to diving into new game consoles with that he stayed on camera for the rest of the was out sick, the college student, who had his dad at Christmas, Dunlop has always been summer, followed by invitations to host tour- an avid gamer himself. naments all over the country (and the U.K.). But in 2007, the loquacious extrovert added Talk about real-world experience. another aspect to his hobby—being a fan. Add strategically chosen Towson courses in Some people watch football. Dunlop and his production and broadcasting, and Dunlop friends watched Halo. was well positioned to jump directly into the and Marc May, may not be surprised by the star student’s success, but he is still pinching himself. “It doesn’t even feel like I’m working half the time,” says the friendly guy from Jersey. “Because I just love what I’m doing.” ■ Ц job with ESL. COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 13 CLASS ACT Michelle Mitchenor ’10 shines in Spike Lee’s Chi-Raq B Y WA N D A H A S K E L What’s it like to work alongside acting leg- ends Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett and Wesley Snipes? Just ask Michelle Mitchenor. She got to do just that in Director Spike Lee’s latest film, Chi-Raq. “I was able to watch the masters at work,” says Mitchenor, who more than held her own as Indigo, the fierce girlfriend of Snipes’ character, a gang leader named Cyclops. Lee’s modern-day adaptation of the ancient Greek play “Lysistrata,” is a powerful canvas for the TU dance major’s breakout acting role. Set in Chicago’s violent South- side, Chi-Raq’s fearless female characters organize a sex strike—Indigo is one of the main agitators—withholding affection until their men put down their guns. (No peace, no piece!) Mitchenor delivers her lines of rhythmic, urban verse with intelligence and convincing street sass, stealing the show during dance numbers. Being in Chi-Raq “was a defining moment for me,” says the striking performer, “and it lit even more of a fire in me to work harder and to push forward.” Michelle Mitchenor ’10, dance performance major, stars in Spike Lee’s latest firm, Chi-Raq. Submitted photo. 14 CO FAC To day Forward indeed. Seeing how joyous these children were in my class… just happy to be learning from someone, it was a life-changing experience for me and something that I will continue to support as long as I can. Michelle Mitchenor Never one to rest on her laurels, Mitchenor hit the lots when she finished filming Chi- “Seeing how joyous these children were in my class … just happy to be learning from Happy with the success she’d achieved, Mitchenor also knew she wanted more for Raq and “auditioned like crazy.” someone, it was a life-changing experience herself, so she started taking acting classes Her reward was booking the role of Eva for me and something that I will continue to and moved to California in 2012. Before support as long as I can.” long, she was discovered by Spike Lee’s Adams in A&E’s upcoming hip-hop crime drama pilot The Infamous. Details are still hush-hush, but stay tuned. From a lead supporting role in her first film to a series regular in her first television project, it’s clear that Mitchenor is not just watching the masters, but is on her way to becoming one. Giving Back And does she spend her free time hobnobbing with celebrities in Hollywood hotspots? Maybe a sliver of it, but she’s also created space in her busy life to make a difference for disadvantaged kids on the other side of the globe. Shocked to discover that not all children in Uganda are offered a free education, Mitche- nor volunteers with the Breakdance Project Uganda, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access to formal and informal education for Ugandan youths. “I fell in love with the mission,” says Mitche- casting director. After doing a video game/ TU NYC LA Being busy is not new to the talented 27-year- old. As a Towson student, besides completing the demanding dance major, she served as an R.A., pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and earned the title of Miss Black Towson University in 2008. That alone, is enough to fill a schedule, but on top of it all, Mitchenor got herself a New York agent during her sophomore year and began booking professional dance gigs—the first with none other than Ashanti. She admits it was tempting to leave school as her dance career took off. But Mitchenor was determined to finish college, so she made it work, attending class for as long as she could before hopping a bus to the Big Apple and borrowing notes from trusted friends. After graduation, Mitchenor worked full-time out of New York, performing with the likes film project with the renowned director, she was hand-picked for the part of Indigo. Mitchenor, who credits her success to her faith and “insane work ethic,” is also grateful for the “phenomenal” faculty at Towson, like Professor Susan Mann, and the discipline she learned from the dance department. The rising star’s advice for Towson University students who want to break into the business: “The discipline and work that you put in now is what’s going to prepare you as you elevate. Whatever level you are, attack your work as if you are already where you want to be so that by the time you get to where you want to be, preparation will meet opportunity.” Words from a woman who practices what she preaches. ■ of Beyoncé, Rihanna and CeeLo Green. nor, who now travels to the East African Dream fulfilled, right? nation annually to teach free dance classes. Yes and no. COLLEGE OF FINE A RT S A ND COMMUNIC ATION 15 OPPORTUNITY IN THE HOUSE Students get professional experience during Center Stage’s stay at Towson University B Y WA N D A H A S K E L 16 CO FAC To day Josh Schuman fall ‘16 theatre arts major, worked behind the scenes during the Center Stage residence at the Center for the Arts Mainstage theatre. Photo by Kanji Takeno. When Center Stage temporarily relocated That meant building a new false proscenium to the Center for the Arts this year, it was and sub-level stage to go on top of the already like one big job interview for senior Josh existing stage for their first production, Schuman, who runs sound and video for TU Shakespeare’s As You Like It. It also involved productions. making changes to the lighting set-up and The theatre arts major (design and produc- intertwining their sound system with TU’s. tion track) saw a chance to demonstrate his “They bypassed and unplugged stuff,” technical skills to people who might one day says Schuman, who had to keep track of offer him employment. everything so that he could put it back in And he took it. place during the short time between As You “I did a lot with the load-in and set-up because I know the spaces really well. When Like It runs and the March 2 start of a TU production. anyone had questions, I was usually able It’s been stressful at times, admits Schuman, to answer them,” says Schuman, who also but that pressure has propelled the technician regularly helps out with lighting and scenery. to stretch, and grow professionally. Plus, “It was a good opportunity to make connec- tions and show my work ethic.” Schuman’s initiative paid off. In fact, Center Stage folks from the departments of sound, construction and lighting all asked him to submit his resume. witnessing the transformation has been instructive. “We’re so used to looking at the same thing,” he says. “It was really cool to see a different take on our space.” Major renovations to the company’s historic Playing with Pros North Calvert Street location required that Center Stage is also giving actors in Towson’s Center Stage adopt a short-term home, and Towson University fit the bill. It’s a compli- cated business staging a full-blown production away from your own turf, though, and chal- lenges were inevitable. But they have proved also to be valuable learning experiences for Schuman. BFA Acting program a shot. Professor Steven Satta drove a handful of students downtown to meet As You Like It director Wendy Gold- berg and to audition. Others submitted video auditions. Six were chosen to be part of the ensemble in the 18-member, all-female cast. “They came in and undid everything,” says the Baltimore County native, “and started from the ground up.” 17 Freshman Sydney Pope was one of them. And this was her first Mainstage production. Josh Schuman, Fall ‘ 16, set lights, welded, constructed sets and ran tech backstage for Center Stages production of As You Like It at the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theater. Imagine that. It’s your first theater production at Towson, and it happens to be with a profes- sional company. “It was such an amazing opportunity to be with them and to get to call them my colleagues,” says Pope, who chose to attend Towson because of the “incredible” theater department. “Every day was like a master-class!” Senior Allie Press agrees. “It was an incredible learning experience getting to be around so many industry professionals,” says Press, who even had a couple of lines in the show. “I just tried to soak up whatever I could.” Press also shared the wealth with students who weren’t necessarily in the production by hosting a dinner with Julia Coffey, the actress who played Rosalind. The event, which took place in the Center for the Arts green room, gave students in the theater department an opportunity to hear about Coffey’s experience as a professional and to have their questions answered. Everyone in on the Act In addition, benefits of the collaboration between Center Stage and Towson University include $20 tickets for students, faculty and staff to Center Stage’s two Towson productions — a bargain when full-price can fall in the $50 to $70 range. Towson students are also being treated to workshops, class visits and other interactions with the resident experts. “We are delighted at the opportunities this collaboration has created to enhance our students’ education,” says Professor Robyn Quick, chair of the TU Department of Theater Arts, “whether these students are working alongside the Center Stage artists on stage or behind the scenes, learning from them in workshops and class visits, or seeing their productions.” Definitely a win-win. 18 CO FAC To day ■ IN MEMORIAM Professor Emeritus C. Richard “Dick” Gillespie Professor Emeritus C. Richard “Dick” Gillespie passed away April 2, at the age of 86. Gillespie, who retired in 1998, was founder of Towson’s undergraduate theater major and taught in the Department of Theater Arts for 37 years. He also served as vice president and dean of students, and chair of the Department of Theater Arts. Gillespie was married to Maravene Loeschke, Towson University’s 13th president and former dean of the College of Fine Arts and E OF N N M U TIO Communication, who died in 2015. In honor of his life’s C O work, E L L G memorial F I gifts E A can R T be S A made D C to O the M Towson C I N A Univer- N 19 sity Foundation C.R. Gillespie and Maravene S. Loeschke Scholarship Endowment. College of Fine Arts and Communication Towson University 8000 York Road Towson, MD 21252-0001 t. 410-704-3288 f. 410-704-6026 www.towson.edu/cofac 20 CO FAC To day 0416.035