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Engaging in students’ learning process and seeing the growth they experience when taught to think critically and creatively ranks high among the rewards of teaching for Jackie Rosenfeld, dramatic writing and theatre appreciation instructor in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre.

“I see education as a continuous conversation with everyone taking part,” she said. “It is crucial for students to be participants in this conversation and to take an active role in their own learning.”

In order to achieve this, Rosenfeld creates a classroom environment that is respectful and attuned to the needs of each individual class.

“I believe that good theatre and thoughtful learning most often result when participants feel uninhibited and unbound,” she said. “When students are confident and enthusiastic about learning, we are all successful.”

Earning a B.A. in drama from Angelo State University and an M.F.A. in playwriting from Texas Tech University, Rosenfeld’s plays, such as “keepingabreast” and “Queen of the Mist,” have been produced nationwide, including three off-off -Broadway productions. An audiobook of her play “keepingabreast” is available on Audible. She also directed the School of Theatre’s pilot radio drama production of O. Henry’s “Gift of the Magi,” adapted by SFA Playwright-in-Residence Jack Heifner.

In the fall of 2017, School of Theatre Director Cleo House Jr. accepted Rosenfeld’s proposal to produce a 24-hour Theatre Festival in SFA’s Downstage Theatre.

“Throughout my years at SFA, I became aware of a lack of opportunities not only for our playwriting students to see their work performed, but also for our acting and directing students to work on new plays,” she said. “Having worked as a playwright and advisor of a similar festival while on the faculty at Texas Tech, I knew this to be a unique opportunity for student playwrights, directors and actors to collaborate on a collection of short productions.”

Being forced to work within a set of established limitations of budget (none), time (24 hours) and resources (a short play, a few props and costumes, and actors) allows the students to maximize their imagination, creative abilities and team-working skills, Rosenfeld explained. The result: Two highly successful theatre festivals. Plans are underway for the 2019 event.

This semester, Rosenfeld created a script-reading course offered through independent study for students looking to expand their knowledge of contemporary plays. Students are assigned eight award-winning plays by a diverse group of playwrights written since 2013. The course utilizes quizzes and discussion to assess critical thinking and understanding.

“While our students read a great number of plays, most are classics considered to be in the cannon, and thus very few are contemporary and even fewer are written by women and playwrights of color,” she said. “This course provides them with the ability to leave SFA with the knowledge to discuss contemporary works at interviews, auditions and graduate school.”

This innovative approach to teaching earned Rosenfeld one of SFA’s 2019 Teaching Excellence Awards. The Teaching Excellence Award is based on knowledge of subject matter, quality of lectures and assignments, enthusiasm for teaching, commitment to continuous improvement, contribution to the quality of teaching at SFA by assisting and encouraging other faculty members, and interest in and availability to students.

“I am so honored to receive this kind of recognition from the university,” she said. “Teaching is my greatest love, and this award is a great way to learn it’s reciprocal.”

By Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information for the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts.

The Symphonic Band and the University Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “Poetic Lines” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Some selections on the program draw inspiration from artistic text, according to Chris Kaatz, assistant director of bands at SFA and director of the Symphonic Band.

Under the direction of graduate conducting student Gary Jones, the University Band will open the concert with “Arsenal” by Jan Van der Roost. Composed for the 50th anniversary of the ‘Harmonie van het Spoorwegarsenaal’ (railroad arsenal) based in Mechelen, Belgium, “Arsenal” has been described as a “stately concert march with beautiful themes and a broad melody in the trio.”

The second piece by Robert Sheldon is the one-movement work “Choreography,” commissioned by the Association of Texas Small School Bands in 2008 for its All-State Band. Written in overture form, the piece draws its inspiration from dance movements found in contemporary stage, ballet and theatrical productions.

Also on the program, Ryan George’s “Café 512” is a dance-like, energetic piece built on a motivic phrase based on a 5+1+2 note grouping (512 being the area code for Austin) and is structured in A-B-A form.

University Band will end the first half of the concert with Randall Standridge’s energetic “Steel.” Third in the composer’s “machine” series, “Steel” contains “exciting percussion writing, interesting use of syncopation, motivic development, and multiple time signature changes.”

The Symphonic Band’s portion of the program “explores works that draw inspiration from various mediums of artistic text,” said Kaatz. The second half opens with David Maslanka’s “Mother Earth,” a “dark and brooding” piece inspired by a poem by St. Francis of Assisi. The composer describes it as “an urgent message from Our Mother (Earth) to treat her more kindly!”

Eric Whitacre’s lush and pensive “Lux Aurumque” follows the opening fanfare. The lyrics of the work’s original setting for a cappella choir are from a poem by Edward Esch describing heavenly light.

John Zdechlik’s “Chorale and Shaker Dance” is the central piece of the concert’s second half. Written in 1972, the work uses the Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts” as one of its two primary melodic components, the other being the originally composed chorale, which opens the work.

The concert closes with John Philip Sousa’s “El Capitan,” a 6/8 march that was extracted from the composer’s operetta of the same name. The original work is set in 16th-century Spanish-occupied Peru and tells the story of a viceroy who disguises himself as a rebel leader named “El Capitan” in order to foil a plot against his people. The comical drama of the operetta is represented in Sousa’s tuneful melodies, playful use of dynamics and inclusion of a 2/4 trio, Kaatz explained.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.

Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at Stephen F. Austin State University will host its final Brave Space Series of the spring semester at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Multimedia Room. The series’ discussion will focus on interracial relationships.

“For this month’s Brave Space, we will explore mental health, societal and family influences, and breaking barriers within an interracial relationship,” said Allynn Shaffer, OMA student ambassador.

Each month, OMA’s Brave Space Series provides a forum for open and honest discussion regarding topics that are often difficult. In an effort to promote positive dialog, participants are encouraged to share their opinions and perspectives about interracial relationships.

The discussion is free and open to the SFA and Nacogdoches communities. For more information, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/multicultural/480.asp.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

It wasn’t quite business as usual last week as Stephen F. Austin State University alumni and industry professionals served as panelists for the Rusche College of Business’ sixth annual College to Career Conference.

The conference serves as the annual capstone highlight for all business students and those participating in the Career Success Passport program, which helps students hone their professional skills while competing for scholarships.

With panelists representing dozens of companies, such as FedEx, Kohl’s, Walgreens, Austin Bank, Southwest Air, Dell, Elliott Electric Supply, Hajoca and Charles Pool Real Estate, business students swapped their normal class schedules for a day of workshops. This year’s industry spotlight was real estate, and representatives from CB&A Real Estate and Ed Pool of Charles Pool Real Estate participated in a session related to this field.

“The College to Career Conference plays an important role as students prepare for their professional careers,” said Trish Kellogg, director of external affairs in the College of Business. “Students learn from industry experts who discuss various business-related topics to help students develop professional understanding and skills.”

Workshops covered a variety of business-related topics, including making a powerful impression, acing interviews, the first 100 days on the job, business ethics and integrity, personal branding, money management, communication, and international business tips.

“The program’s goal is to take the transferrable knowledge the students have gained and help them launch into successful careers in the workplace,” Kellogg said.

Representatives from SFA’s Center for Career and Professional Development were on hand to offer students one-on-one résumé critiques and to discuss personal and professional branding. CCPD staff members also presented a professional attire display to show students what is appropriate to wear in the business world.

Alumni served as panelists in various workshops to share their business knowledge and career journey. Alumni included Mitch Fralick, a retired executive from Wood Group PSN; Lisa Anderson Goode of Southwest Air; Corey Johnson of Pilot/Flying J; Brittany McBrayer, an entrepreneur; Mike Parham of Pepco Sales and Marketing; Kirk Phillips of Wintrust Commercial Finance; Lou Ann Richardson of Wells Fargo; Morgan Teltschik of Percheron; and Erika Tolar of FedEx.

Selected students attended an employer reception in the Mattress Firm Commons in the McGee Business Building to talk with panelists in a more personal setting.

“The support of our alumni and community is amazing, and it is incredibly beneficial for our students,” said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business. “I would like to sincerely thank everyone who helped make this such a special day in the Rusche College of Business.”

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Two Stephen F. Austin State University seniors, Abigail Cloudy and Jasmine Thompson, recently presented research during the Texas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Austin.

This event provided a forum for undergraduate students who are engaged in research to showcase their experiences to Texas legislators and the public through high-quality poster displays. The program and event’s theme, “Transforming Texas Through Undergraduate Research,” highlighted how research conducted by undergraduate students positively impacts Texas and Texans.

Both psychology majors, Cloudy of Sugar Land and Thompson of San Antonio, presented their research on gender identity, which explores body image and the pressure girls between the ages of 6 and 11 often feel to conform to gender norms and body image.

“I was honored to represent SFA at the Texas Capitol. There were schools from all over Texas represented at the conference, so I was excited to show others how supportive SFA is of undergraduate research,” Cloudy said.

Cloudy and Thompson have been working on their research since fall 2017, along with their research mentors Dr. Flora Farago, assistant professor of human development and family studies, and Dr. Sarah Savoy, associate professor of psychology. Farago and Savoy provided resources for the students and exposed them to current development theories, best practices for interviewing children and new statistical tests.

“It’s key for students to work closely with faculty so they can learn by example by practicing problem-solving skills and presenting one’s ideas in low-stakes settings with support from peers and words of encouragement,” Savoy said. “Communication skills and the ability to formulate a solution to a problem are skills that can be translated from a research context to other personal and professional contexts.”

Approximately 75 research projects reflecting a variety of topics were displayed and presented at the Capitol. While attending the event, SFA students had the opportunity to attend panel discussions and network.

“This experience taught me how important it is to not only share your research findings within your field, but also to share it with the public and researchers in different fields,” Thompson said. “Sharing and discussing your findings with others is an important part in taking the next steps with your research, whether that be conducting future studies on the topic or finding practical ways to apply the information in our communities.”

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Percussion Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “An Evening of Soloists” with guest artist Dr. Eric Willie at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 15, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies in the School of Music, directs the ensemble. Willie is director of percussion studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

The program includes “Duende” by Francisco Perez; “Xylophonia” by Joe Green, arranged by Bob Becker, with Ethan Ainsworth, soloist; “Marimba Spiritual” by Minoru Miki with Willie as soloist; “Dark Sky” by Dustin Schulze with Briley Patterson and D’Angelo Brackeen as featured performers; and “Bend” by Peter Martin.

“Marimba Spiritual” was a commissioned piece for three percussionists. As a person who had experience suffering before and after the end of World War II, Miki used “Marimba Spiritual” to express his condolences and anger about the many people in Africa who died of starvation in the early 1980s.

Green’s “Xylophonia” is a xylophone solo with piano accompaniment written in the 1920s and is described as a “ragtime march.” In 1973, Becker and his group Nexus arranged the piece for xylophone solo and marimba accompaniment.

Schulze conceived “Dark Sky” to portray a “unique and foreboding landscape,” the composer writes. Divided into three connecting sections, the piece is “bound by a recurrent foundation that incessantly drives its energy and mood with intensity and dreamlike imagery.”

Perez states that “Duende” was inspired by a “fond musical experience in Spain,” and it is the fusion of many musical idioms that characterizes a “beautiful performance of flamenco” he saw in Madrid.

Martin’s “Bend” draws inspiration from the player-piano compositions and piano rolls of amateur composer Bruce Goff. The work evokes an unconventional sound palette created with alternative techniques on two marimbas.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, 2210 Alumni Drive.

Concert tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.