SFA University
July 21, 2017 Nacogdoches – An opportunity to preview a performance of the play Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre students plan to tour next month at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, takes place Tuesday night, July 25.
“Closed For Repairs,” written by former SFA student Bobby Britton of Angleton, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall in the Wright Music Building on campus. Admission is $10 at the door, and proceeds will benefit study abroad opportunities for theatre students.
Britton graduated from SFA in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree and plans to begin graduate studies in the fall at Emerson College in Boston. He describes the selection of his work to be performed at the festival as “a huge honor and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Last fall, Britton was working with Angela Bacarisse, professor of design and arts management at SFA, on an independent studies project to write the play. Bacarisse saw the potential in Britton’s writing and encouraged him to work on the script with the idea that it could be a real contender at the Festival Fringe. Having previously attended the festival and toured student productions there, Bacarisse has seen the stories and directing styles that do well.
Britton collaborated with Jackie Rosenfeld, a playwright advisor and theatre instructor at SFA, and Bacarisse, who is now the touring producer of the play, to develop the narrative. Slade Billew, assistant professor of acting and movement in the School of Theatre, was brought in as director. Under his style of directing, which involves more movement-based and physical theatre, the script further evolved and is still changing today.
The festival’s website advertising about the upcoming SFA production describes the play as: “SFA student Bobby Britton’s semi-autobiographical play leads us on a young man’s journey to discover his personal truth in a conservative Texas town. Blending honest dialogue, contemporary songs, and powerful movement, this ensemble-driven piece takes on issues of identity and acceptance in the Bible belt. As the play moves through moments of intense despair and transcendent joy, performers use their bodies and voices to create the world of small town America, exploring the realities of feeling alone in the Lone Star State. The play is intended for mature audiences.”
“The show is about my experience with reparative therapy,” Britton said. “Through therapy sessions, we are able to see flashbacks into this character’s early childhood and some of his relationships with other people that shaped him into who he is today.”
“Personal stories that have both humor and drama do very well at the festival,” Bacarisse said. “I connect Slade’s style of directing with a more European style of performance, as opposed to the American kitchen-sink realism. It will go well with the German and Irish companies and others who will be showing there.”
A group of 19 SFA theatre students and faculty and community members will travel abroad Aug. 1 through 16, and festival performances in Edinburgh are Aug. 4 through 9. The Fringe is considered the largest and most prestigious performing arts festival in the world. SFA theatre students, accompanied by Bacarisse, attended the festival in 2015, and two of those students, seniors Anais Saenz and Jason Trevino, both of Houston, are returning this year.
As a company, the students are responsible for venue rental fees, travel, equipment rental, and publicity and marketing, Bacarisse said. Students house manage, run the lighting and soundboards and stage-manage for their performances.
The students will not see their venue, which is in a Scottish church basement hall, until the day before the show opens, which presents a special challenge, Bacarisse said. But they know it will be the smallest space in which the show has been performed to date.
“That’s one of the things that is good about the experience for students,” Billew said, “in that it more closely mimics the experience of being a touring show. We’ve also talked about working on a new play, and how things will change, as we’re often learning new blocking of new lines very quickly.”
The total cost per student is approximately $5,000, which includes airfare and room and board. Donations are still being accepted to help fund the trip. Various fundraisers, such as Tuesday night’s preview performance, have been conducted to help defray costs.
“We are so grateful for everyone who supports the arts and our students,” Bacarisse said. “Allowing them the opportunity to tour a show, perform abroad and learn more about our global community is a great gift.”
Tax-exempt donations for the trip can be made at sfasu.edu/giving by clicking on the “give online” tab and writing “Scotland trip” for special instructions.
July 20, 2017 - Stephen F. Austin State University will celebrate the grand opening of its newest facility with a ribbon-cutting at 1:30 p.m. Monday, July 24, at 1924 N. University Drive.
The building houses SFA’s Residence Life Operations unit, which provides maintenance and upkeep services to SFA residence halls, and University Printing Services, a full-service printing agency serving SFA students, faculty, staff and SFA-affiliated organizations.
Following the ceremony, tours of the facility will be offered. Parking is available in the parking lot north of SFA’s Johnson Coliseum, and shuttle service will be provided.
For more information, please call (936) 468-2605.
July 18, 2017 - The 33rd Watercolor East Texas juried exhibition will open with a reception from 6 to 8pm Saturday, July 22, in The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
This year’s juror is Texas artist Michael Holter, who is a signature member of National Watercolor Society, Outdoor Painters Society and Southwestern Watercolor Society. He works in both watercolor and oil. His work has received numerous awards and can be found in private and cooperate collections in the U.S. and abroad.
Although Holter has been painting most of his life, his work experience spans a wide range of creative endeavors, from art teacher, creative director and businessman in fine art and commercial art. He describes his work as “impressionistic.”
“I like to represent people or places and allow the painting to evolve from the structure of what is recognizable,” he said. “The challenge is to balance the care needed to make the representation interesting … and perhaps believable, with the freedom, looseness and painterly quality that makes painting so unique and expressive." His work can be viewed at www.michaelholter.com.
The exhibition runs through Aug. 23.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, contact WET member Carol Athey at atheycj@sfasu.edu or call the art center at (936) 468-1131.
Cutline: Local artist Nancy Lemberger won first place in last year’s Watercolor East Texas juried exhibition. This year’s show opens at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 22, in Cole Art Center.
July 14, 2017 - NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music is accepting scholarship applications for its fall classes.
The music program features the study of a variety of musical instruments and choral techniques. Upper-level musicians as well as SFA faculty and students teach classes.
Partial scholarships are awarded to music students based on need, according to Pat Barnett, Music Prep director. Application forms and information about the various programs offered are available on the Music Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep. Deadline to apply for scholarships is Aug. 1.
A Music Prep open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, at 3028 Raguet St.
“New and returning students and their parents are invited to attend the open house at the Prep House to speak with faculty and to register for private and group lessons,” Barnett said. “Piney Woods Youth Orchestra auditions are on the same day of the open house, and auditions begin at 10 a.m.”
Students may enroll for 16 private lessons or 12 private lessons for the semester. In addition to the Piney Woods Youth Orchestra, Music Prep offers an Adult Piano Class, Music Theory Adventures for beginning and intermediate students, the Choristers youth choral ensemble, and the Raguet Strings adult ensemble. Harp ensemble classes are offered for students in third through sixth grades, middle and high school ages and adults.
Music Prep offers private music lessons in piano, harp, violin, Suzuki violin, flute, cello, trumpet, trombone, voice, percussion and more.
Private lessons begin the week of Aug. 21 for 16-week upper level faculty instruction and the week of Sept. 11 for 12-week SFA music major instruction.
The Music Prep office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For additional information, contact Barnett at (936) 468-1291 or at musicprep@sfasu.edu. Visit the Facebook site at SFA Music Prep.
July 12, 2017 Nacogdoches - The Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and Stephen F. Austin State University Center for Career and Professional Development will co-host "Effective Techniques for On-Campus Recruiting" at the Chamber, 2516 North St. from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19. The workshop will introduce attendees to the new Jobs4Jacks system as well as provide opportunities to learn effective on-campus recruitment techniques.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a laptop or a tablet for hands-on training.
“We are going to show employers how to post positions, how to search for students within the system, how to get registered for career expos or if they want to host information sessions or conduct interviews on campus,” said Jamie Bouldin, director of the Center for Career and Professional Development at SFA.
The Jobs4Jacks system has undergone a major transformation and is now hosted by Handshake, SFA’s newest vendor for the online resource.
"The website layout is now easier to navigate and is mobile friendly and can be accessed on a smartphone or tablet," said Bouldin. “That’s one of the benefits for employers so they can go in and post jobs or request interview schedules while they are traveling."
Jobs4Jacks is beneficial for both students and employers.
“The nice thing about Jobs4Jacks is that it puts the opportunities out there for all students. Any student can look at any job,” said Bouldin. “It gives a broader base of student candidates who may not have been aware of a company. Now is a really good time for businesses to get into the Jobs4Jacks system, because so many students and alumni are searching, and it’s a lot easier to use.”
There is no charge to attend the workshop, but registration is requested by July 15. If interested, contact the Nacogdoches County Chamber at (936) 560-5533 or email chamber@nactx.com.
July 12, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University students in the School of Human Sciences recently traveled to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association Show.
During this four-day exhibit, students learned from industry professionals through education sessions, as well as sampled unique culinary dishes, viewed emerging field techniques and technologies, and more.
Dr. Chay Runnels, SFA hospitality administration program coordinator, graduate program co-coordinator and associate professor, led the trip with students in her field experiences in human sciences course.
“Part of our program’s core focus is to encourage students to experience things outside of SFA and Nacogdoches,” Runnels said. “This trip served a dual purpose. First, students were able to see the scope of the hospitality industry through the lens of the restaurant show, and they also experienced tourism in Chicago.”
At the National Restaurant Association Show, students witnessed more than 2,200 exhibitors representing more than 900 product categories, which provided students an opportunity to understand how such a massive event is organized.
Alyse Richards, an Arlington senior studying event planning, said this trip helped her get out of her comfort zone, learn to navigate a new city and better understand her major.
“I was amazed by how big the show was and how much food there was,” Richards said. “It also was very interesting to see all the different booths.”
Students also met celebrity chefs Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes featured on the Food Network’s show “Ace of Cakes;” Rick Bayless, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, who is known for his authentic Mexican cuisine and TV series “Mexico — One Plate at a Time;” Robert Irvine, known for various TV shows and cooking challenges such as “Restaurant: Impossible;” and Ming Tsai, a James Beard and Emmy award-winning chef, author, TV host, producer and product developer.
For Heather Gallant, an SFA graduate student studying nutrition, this experience introduced her to the many possibilities within her career.
“I am on the career path of becoming a registered dietitian, which means I am interested in all things related to food and nutrition,” Gallant said.
“Attending the National Restaurant Association Show gave me the opportunity to speak with various food company representatives and learn how I can use their food products for my clients.”
Prior to landing in Chicago, SFA students researched the city’s tourism industry and reviewed attractions, nightlife and restaurants. Students had the opportunity to tailor the trip to their own interests.
“My favorite part of the trip was experiencing the culture of Chicago. When I travel somewhere new, I love to explore different places and observe how other people interact,” Gallant said. “I loved visiting various tourist attractions and eating at unique food establishments.”
The group had a behind-the-scenes tour of Eatly, a two-story food emporium with multiple restaurants and groceries.
The class culminated with a digital project dedicated to a specific aspect of tourism in Chicago or culinary issues. Project topics included transportation modes, food allergens, food presentation and technological advances.
July 11, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University students traveled to England, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for a behind-the-scenes look at international media.
Students enrolled in SFA’s Department of Mass Communication’s Meet the Media course toured media organizations while abroad, including TV stations, public relations and advertising agencies, and magazine headquarters.
Dr. John Hendricks, chair of the Department of Mass Communication, expressed the benefits this experience afforded students.
“Students are exposed to vastly different cultures and experiences, which significantly broadens their understanding of and place in a global society,” Hendricks said. “Experiential learning such as an international study abroad trip motivates students to establish larger professional goals.”
During the first week, students explored London, England, and met with industry professionals from diverse media. Students toured VCCP, a creative marketing company; Chime Communications Limited, a marketing services company; Political Lobbying and Media Relations, one of Britain’s fastest-growing communications companies; Leo Burnett Company, an American globally active advertising company that is one of the largest agency networks; and Chartered Institute of Public Relations, one of the largest member organizations for public relations practitioners outside of North America.
For Sarah Fontenot, SFA senior public relations major from China, Texas, touring PLMR and the Leo Burnett Company introduced her to career opportunities.
“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At Leo Burnett Company, professionals discussed advertising campaigns they have worked on such as McDonald’s. It was impressive and made me excited for the future because this is what I want to do in my career,” Fontenot said.
Additionally, students visited Time Out magazine, a leading global media and entertainment business that inspires and enables people to experience the best of cities, according to the magazine’s website. SFA students toured the magazine’s editorial and advertising process and engaged in a question-and-answer session with employees.
Although he is a radio/TV major, Bobby Mauro, a senior from The Woodlands, said he enjoyed learning about different media outlets.
“It was interesting to see Time Out magazine and other media options. We learned how staff members create a cover and social media content,” Mauro said.
Broadcast media also was on the agenda. Students had a behind-the-scenes look at Sky News, a 24-hour international multimedia news company based in the United Kingdom that provides news on TV, online and mobile devices.
“Sky News, the equivalent of America’s Fox News or CNN, was most impressive, and our students were able to see firsthand how an international television news network covered the queen’s speech on the opening day of Parliament,” Hendricks said.
No visit to London is complete without sightseeing. In London’s West End, students participated in a walking tour on Fleet Street and viewed the Bride’s Church, known as the journalist’s church, and the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph buildings. Also, students saw Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.
“The trip was exciting and intriguing,” Mauro said. “I have German and English heritage, so it was cool to walk where my ancestors walked. I was really excited about the historical aspects of the trip.”
During their second week abroad, students traveled to Belgium, Germany and Amsterdam. In Belgium, students took a walking tour of Brussels, the country’s capital and administrative center of the European Union, and Bruges, a historic location known for its architecture and arts.
Students walked Cologne, Germany, where they viewed Kölner Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral, as well as other historical buildings and picturesque locations. Here, the group also toured the German TV station n-tv, where SFA junior radio/TV major Daniel Mireles from Kingwood said the station’s use of automated cameras impressed him.
“This station is taking TV to the next level; it’s the future of TV,” Mireles said. “This visit made me realize it’s going to take hard work for me to achieve my goals, but it got me excited to move forward with my career.”
June 29, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 13, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. Greg Grant will present “A Bright Spot in the Heart of Texas: The Idea Garden.”
Grant is horticulturist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Smith County. He also is an award-winning writer, conservationist and seventh-generation Texan from Arcadia, Texas.
Grant has authored several books, including “In Greg’s Garden: A Pineywoods Perspective on Gardening, Nature, and Family” and “Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening,” as well as co-author of “Heirloom Gardening in the South” and “Texas Home Landscaping.” “The Rose Rustlers” with Dr. William Welch is due out this fall.
Grant also writes the popular “In Greg’s Garden” column for Texas Gardener magazine and writes a monthly “Greg’s Ramblings” blog.
After receiving degrees from Texas A&M University in floriculture and horticulture, Grant attended postgraduate classes at Louisiana State University, North Carolina State University and Stephen F. Austin State University. He has experience as a horticulturist with SFA Gardens, Mercer Arboretum and San Antonio Botanical Gardens.
Grant has introduced a number of successful plants to the Southern nursery industry, including Blue Princess verbena, dwarf pink Mexican petunia, Gold Star esperanza, Laura Bush petunia, John Fanick phlox, Stars and Stripes pentas, the Marie Daly and Nacogdoches (Grandma’s Yellow) roses, among others.
Grant was presented the Superior Service Award by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, the Lynn Lowery Memorial Award by the Native Plant Society of Texas for horticultural achievement in the field of Texas native plants, and the Lone Star Land Steward Award for the East Texas ecoregion by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
He has traveled extensively to hundreds of botanical gardens throughout the United States and Europe and has given more than 1,000 lectures. He lives in East Texas and splits his time between Tyler and his grandparents’ restored dogtrot farmhouse, where he tends a small cottage garden, a flock of laying hens, and terriers Acer, Lizzie, Mollie and Sonny Boy Desalvo Fontenot.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare-plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.
Parking is available at Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet Street. For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
June 28, 2017 - NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Enrollment for children ages 6 through 9 is still available in Stephen F. Austin State University’s STEM Research and Learning Center’s Lil’ STEM Jacks, which runs July 25 and 26 on the SFA campus.
Lil’ STEM Jacks captures children’s attention in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by providing opportunities to learn and play in hands-on activities related to STEM disciplines.
Some of the activities in which children may participate include learning about and playing with gears, printing in 3-D, studying fossils and lessons using human simulation mannequins.
"The goal is to expose students to STEM disciplines in a way that excites them about the many possibilities in math and science," said Dr. Jana Redfield, assistant director of the SFA STEM Research and Learning Center, which is part of SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. "Each activity provides hands-on learning, hopefully creating a spark of interest in a possible future STEM career."
The 2017 Lil’ Jacks two-day camp will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $30 per child and includes materials, snacks, prizes and a T-shirt. Visit cosm.sfasu.edu/stem/lil-stem-jacks to register.
June 28, 2017 Nacogdoches – Registration is continuing for Junior Jacks Theatre Camp at Stephen F. Austin State University. The popular two-week School of Theatre camp is designed for children entering third through ninth grades. This year’s camp is scheduled for Monday, July. 31, through Saturday, Aug. 12. Registration deadline is July 28.
Junior Jacks was designed as a day-camp version of the highly successful High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA, according to Carolyn Conn, associate professor of theatre at SFA and the camp’s director. The fun and exciting summer camp, offered in two age groups, fills quickly, and Conn suggested parents register their children early.
“We have children representing all local and nearby schools as well as many home schoolers,” Conn said. “There are also many repeat campers. Many Junior Jacks ‘graduates’ go on to attend the High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA. We also have former Junior Jack/High School Workshop participants who become theatre majors at SFA. The camp is a great introduction to what we offer in the School of Theatre.
Junior Jacks is a community outreach opportunity designed to not only introduce children to theatre, but it also allows the School of Theatre’s teacher certification students to work with students who are younger than high school age.
Junior Jacks campers play theatre games and rehearse plays that will be performed at the camp’s conclusion. The younger group meets from 9 a.m. to noon and the older group meets from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Play performances will be at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, in Room 160 in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.
Registration cost is $75 per student and $50 for each additional sibling within a single family. Needs-based scholarships may be available. More information and a registration form can be found at theatre.sfasu.edu, or contact Conn at (936) 468-1031 or conncs@sfasu.edu
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