| The New Theatre Program at Emory & Henry College |
The Greenroom |
|
The E&H Department of Theatre Newsletter Volume 2, Issue #I, 2004 |
|
|
HEADLINES |
2004 Spring Edition Editor Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian |
|
Brit awarded "Nightline" internship Graduates Join Forces to Produce Interactive TV Series E&H theatre student Morgan Genco places second at VTA E&H Presents "The Dining Room" Archived Newsletters Here
|
Britt Awarded 'Nightline' Internship Tommy Britt, a 2002 E&H graduate, began his internship in December and will work through January on the set of Nighline. As an intern, he will enjoy a wide variety of opportunities as he take part in the day-to-day operations of bringing the program to viewers. "For me, this will mean spending a lot of time in the editing room learning from their editors," Britt said. Film-making is a passion for Britt, who has worked on several of his own films, including many documentaries. Recently, he created a documentary focusing on the challenges of migrant workers and the Virginia communities to which they recently have come. Britt made the documentary as part of his graduate school studies and will eventually be part of his portfolio as he pursues a career in the film industry. "I've been studying all aspects of film-making, including editing, writing and directing," said Britt. "I really enjoy the writing and feel like the quality of my work has grown quite a bit since I began my graduate studies." While attending Emory & Henry, Britt studied mass communications and theatre, which he said prepared him well for the challenges of graduate school. As an entering graduate student at Ohio University, he was one of only a dozen students selected from all over the world for the highly regarded program. The competitiveness of the university admissions process reflects the competitiveness of the industry, Britt said. "It is an honor and at the same time it is a challenge to me to meet high standards." Britt, hopes to continue making documentaries as he focuses on narrative filmmaking. "I like to tell the stories of real events and real people." back to top
Graduates
Join Forces to Produce Interactive TV Series William Mullins, a screenwriter and producer from Wilmington, N.C., has been working with Jeremy Pack, who is pursuing a film career in Los Angeles as an actor and producer. The two alumni are considering the production of a television series called "Carver's Cliffhangers." The interactive program, which would star Pack, allows audience members to be involved in decisions made by the lead character. Mullins and Jennifer Goodman, co-owners of Oriana East Productions, conceived of the television series, which follows the adventures of a martial artist and archeologist named Carver. Recruited by the covert intelligence agency Recon, Carver investigates paranormal phenomena, engages in international espionage and diffuses threats to domestic security. At times, he is aided by his true love Lorelei, who is an agent with the CIA. Mullins enlisted Pack to perform in the lead role and to shoot a promotional trailer for the series. "Pack has a wide knowledge of the movie industry, which he brings to the production along with his superb acting talents," Mullins said. "I'm looking forward to being a part of this exciting enterprise," Pack said. "This is the kind of independent film project that really excites me about the industry and its potential." Oriana is currently seeking investors for the project. "We're confident that this unique idea is going to pique the interests of many industry investors and will soon find its way to a broad television audience," Mullins said. A screenwriter, Mullins has produced several short films and has written two feature screenplays. Most of his subject matter deals with science fiction topics or horror stories. One of his scripts for a short film, "Danny's Dinner Party," was a finalist at the 2003 Los Angeles International Horror/Science Fiction Film Festival and Screenplay Competition, also known as Shriekfast. Another of his works, a feature screenplay entitled "Shadow Worlds," was a quarter finalist in the Eighth "Fade In Magazine" Awards screenplay competition. And his treatment for an original television series , "Vine," was a semi-finalist in the 1st Quarter 2004 Writesafe Competition. Mullins' works also have been published in several reputable literary periodicals, such as "Half Tones To Jubilee," "Real: The Journal Of Liberal Arts," "Riverwind," "Limestone," and "Prism." "My greatest desire as a writer is to sell feature screenplays that will be produced and become successful films," Mullins said. "I also hope to have one or more television series produced on the basis of my original concepts." Pack has maintained a busy career as an actor as well as writer, director, producer, camera operator and editor. Among his recent acting roles, he played a cop in a Tupac Shakur video, "Tupac: The Resurrection;" has taken on lead roles in Hollywood theatre productions; was the spokesperson for a Radioshack commercial; and has landed several small roles in soap operas and films. He also has written a screenplay and several short films; acted in, coordinated and helped produce a western set in Nebraska; and shot and helped produce a music video. Between acting and film projects, he works as a camera operator and editor for a large videagraphy company. "I have been running experiments and gaining experience in every facet of this industry for the last twelve years," Pack said. "I am learning so much about story and process while I'm working to put al of my experiences together to become a working actor as well s a successful director and filmmaker." back to top Theatre Students, Faculty Make Great Impression at Conference November 1, 2004 -- An Emory & Henry theatre student from Roanoke, Va., received the second highest score out of more than 200 students auditioning recently at the Virginia Theatre Association conference. Morgan Gengo was honored for her high score following an audition at the conference held in Reston, Va. "I felt pretty good about my performance," Gengo said. "I felt like I accomplished a great deal." The VTA conference, which is the largest annual theatre conference in Virginia, draws hundreds of participants from high school and college programs, community theatres and professional theatres. For college students such as Gengo, VTA serves as a prescreening for the Southeast Theatre Conference, which will be held in Charlotte, N.C., in March of 2005. Actors who perform well in VTA auditions have an opportunity to audition at SETC in front of many theatre company representatives from the southeast region. The audition for both VTA and SETC consists of a 90-second introduction, a monologue and a vocal music performance. Actors are judged on movement, acting ability, communication and stage presence. Gengo performed a monologue from Self Torture and Strenuous Exercise and sang "The Lady is a Tramp" from Babes in Arms. She qualified for SETC last year and her performance earned her a summer acting job at the Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre in Wytheville, Va. She believes her experience at SETC last year will help her tremendously in her career, while opening her eyes to some of its challenges. "Having been there last year, I saw what worked and what didn't," Gengo said. Gengo has acted in eight productions at Emory & Henry. She recently served as assistant director to department chair Dr. Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian for the college's production of Tartuffe. Two other E&H students ranked in the top 50 of VTA auditions and qualified for SETC: Kate Morton of Montgomery, Ala., and Mary Margaret Roberts of Raleigh, N.C. In addition to student accomplishments at VTA, Emory & Henry's faculty also made a big impression. Stoytcheva-Horissian and Dr. Don LaPlant gave presentations to a record number of high school theatre students. Professor Tim Baumgartner served as an adjudicator and respondent for the scenic and costume design competitions. LaPlant also served as the college's representative in the secondary school audition program where he auditioned 125 high school seniors interested in enrolling in college theatre programs next fall. Stoytcheva-Horissian worked on the VTA executive board as the coordinator of auditions for the Southeast Theatre Conference for the second year in a row. back top Theatre Department
Presents "Tartuffe" Nov. 18-21 E&H Presents "The Dining Room" Sep. 30 - Oct. 3 EMORY Va. – For some, the dining room is
a special place filled with warm memories of sparkling dinner parties.
For others, it is where you fold laundry or do homework. |