An Emory & Henry theatre professor has been invited to present her innovative research in acting pedagogy at the South East Theatre Conference (SETC) in Chattanooga, TN.

Dr. Stoytcheva-Horissian will present ”Trifecta! Creating Dynamic Monologue Performances” at the conference in early March. The presentation targets other acting teachers and directors who are interested in observing and learning innovative approaches on working with monologues and scenes.

In the last three years, Stoytcheva-Horissian has become a figure at the forefront of innovative acting pedagogy research. She has presented at numerous theatre conferences and has built a reputation as one of the most innovative and prominent young acting pedagogues and researches. Her students constantly place well in major state and regional acting competitions.

“I am especially excited for this year’s presentation because it will be a part of a panel that will showcase three acting teachers and their unique approaches,” said Stoytcheva-Horissian.  “My belief is that scholarship systematically advances my teaching, research, and practice of theatre. Thus, I always incorporate my research in the classroom and rehearsal halls and vice versa. “

Dr. Stoytcheva-Horissian teaches acting and movement courses. Her research and artistic interests include Comedy, Moliere, Acting Pedagogy, and Eastern European Absurdism. As an actor, she has performed at numerous venues in Europe, North America, and Africa.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

An Emory & Henry College student was selected to receive a prestigious acting scholarship following a competition involving more than 400 students from throughout the southeastern United States.

Eric Eteuati, an E&H senior from Chesapeake, Va., also won the chance to compete against 16 other regional winners of the Irene Ryan Scholarship at the national competition, sponsored by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, later this spring.

The award brings national recognition to the E&H Theatre Department, which has been growing steadily over the past decade and whose students and professors have increasingly been recognized in a variety of ways. "Very few theatre programs in the nation can say that their students have qualified to perform at the national theatre festival," said Dr. Biliana Stoytcheva-Horissian, the chair of the E&H Theatre Department.

During the competition, Eteuati performed a monologue and joined with a fellow E&H theatre student, Laura Crockarell, to perform scenes from two plays. The three-day competition for the scholarship is considered extremely intense, in part because of its prestige in the theatre community.

In winning his $500 regional scholarship, Eteuati competed against students from colleges and universities in all states in the Southeast as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virginia Islands. When he travels to the national competition, he will be competing for a $3,000 scholarship. He will also participate in professional workshops and in interviews with representatives of renowned graduate programs in theatre.

"Eric is a very talented young actor, and I am thrilled that he earned this exceptional opportunity to showcase his abilities and compete against the best student actors in the nation," Stoytcheva-Horissian said. back to top

Eight E&H Theatre Students Heading to KC/ACTF Regional Competition

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
With eight actors, the Emory & Henry College theatre department will be exceptionally well represented at the upcoming 10-state Region IV competition of the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, Feb. 5-10, hosted by Clemson University in Clemson, SC.

More than 300 student actors are expected to audition for prestigious scholarships at the ACTF. Winners at the eight regional competitions will advance to the national auditions at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in April 2008.

In the fall of 2007, the two E&H main stage theatre productions, “Rumors” directed by Dr. Stoytcheva-Horissian, and "Ghosts," directed by Dr. LaPlant, were attended by external observers and the following students were nominated to participate in the regional Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition: Michael Brown of Antioch, Tenn.; Maria Buchanan of Jonesborough, Tenn.; Ashley Goodwin of Bluefield, W. Va.; Eric Eteuati of Chesapeake, Va. and Caitlin Morgan of Roanoke, Va.

Irene Ryan Scholarship nominees are required to select acting partners and prepare two contrasting scenes (classical and contemporary) and a monologue for the three-part competition. Acting partners participating in the competition along with the nominees are Eileen Casterline of Woodbridge; Brandon Bentley of Big Stone Gap; Laura Crockarell of Lebanon and Jamal Crowelle of Centreville.

The KC/ACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.

“Nomination for participation in KC/ACTF serves as another validation of the quality of our department and the students we train,” says Dr. Stoytcheva-Horissian who is preparing the students for the competition. “We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete with some of the finest theatre students in the South East and in the nation.”

Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KC/ACTF) is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States. The KC/ACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theatre departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KC/ACTF respondents. back to top

Buckets and Tap Shoes, Ten Foot Five Comes to E&H

Friday, March 7, 2008
A unique group of musicians, percussionists and rhythm tap dancers unite to perform Buckets and Tap Shoes on Monday, March 17, at 7:30 p.m. in Emory & Henry College’s Wiley Hall Auditorium.

Ten Foot Five Productions has astounded audiences since 1997 by creating intense driving rhythms with tap shoes, five-gallon buckets, metal cans, barrels, and found objects, as well as more traditional instruments, including electric guitar, bass, keyboards and drums.

Early thought of as "on the fringe," the group has taken its performances throughout the United States and overseas, where it goes "deep and wide into the rhythm and irrepressible energy. The crowd roars,” says the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Admission is free to Emory & Henry College students, faculty and staff. Admission for students from other institutions is $3 and adult admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door. For tickets or information call 276-944-6866 or drop by the E&H box office between noon and 5 pm, Tuesday- Saturday. back to top

E&H Theatre Department Presents ‘Hippolytus

Friday, February 22, 2008 A classic tragedy that focuses on the role of religion in Greek society will be staged at Emory & Henry College from April 10 to April 13.

“Hippolytus” explores the tragic consequences of the title character’s refusal to worship a powerful god, consequences that affect not only the character himself, but his family and the greater community.

The play begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10, to Saturday, April 12. An additional performance will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 13. All performances will be held in the Wiley Hall Auditorium at Emory & Henry. The dates represent a change from previously published dates that had the performance running from April 17-20.

Written by Euripides, who is considered to be the “most modern” of the three great classical tragedians, ‘Hippolytus’ provides a representative example of the playwright’s view of the complex role of religion in Greek society.

The play is directed by Dr. Donald LaPlant with technical direction from professor Richard Wolf-Spencer. Admission is free to Emory & Henry students and members of the E&H faculty and staff. Admission for students from other institutions is $3 and adult admission is $8 in advance, $10 at the door.

For tickets or information call 276-944-6866 or visit the E&H box office between noon and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. back to top

Event Showcases E&H Musical Theatre Students

Friday, February 22, 2008
The Emory & Henry College Theatre Department will showcase the work of its musical theatre students during performances Friday, April 25, at the Lincoln Theatre in Marion, Va.

“Hear My Song,” which begins at 7:30 p.m., features students in scenes from well-known musicals and other musical performances for the theatre.

This musical revue is directed by Karen Sabo, E&H instructor of musical theatre. Originally from New York City, Sabo came to Southwest Virginia in 1999 to work at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, where she spent six years as a member of the resident acting company. She became one of Barter’s resident directors and its dialect coach. At Emory & Henry, she also teaches voice and speech.

Tickets for the event are available free of charge at the Lincoln Theatre Box Office. Call 276-783-6092. Tickets for E&H students and members of the college faculty and staff are available at the Emory Train Depot. Call 276-944-6866. back to top