Everything Nac

Playwright Michael Roderick’s “Props” will open the fall semester of Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre’s student-directed plays.

Directed by San Antonio senior Jade Bishoppetty, “Props” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

The play is about a prop artist who immerses himself in his work after a difficult breakup. The project involves a prop woman, and the women in his life become concerned with his obsession, Bishoppetty said.

“His creation comes to life, and he has to deal with making decisions about love and relationships,” she said.

The cast includes Austin sophomore Gabriel Penaloza-Hernandez as Andrew; Lake Dallas senior Andrea Nelson as Susan; Houston junior Anais Saenz as Kerri; Maypearl junior Chelsea Rodrigue as Denise; and Tyler senior Katt Akin as Melissa.

The production staff includes Matthew Weaver, Lake Dallas sophomore, stage manager; Andy Bauerle, Conroe senior, scenic designer; Victoria Medrano, Edinburg junior, costume designer; Reagan Moore, Richmond junior, lighting designer; Danika Pettyjohn, Fort Worth senior, sound designer; and Kindle Bonner, Hudson senior, properties manager.

The play is recommended for mature audiences. Faculty production advisor is Dr. Rick Jones.

Bishoppetty has previously directed “The Red Coat,” “The Brothers Grimm Spectacular” and Act 3, Scene 2 of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

The Downstage Theatre is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $4. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture is pairing with Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation to host NacogdoTREES, a free, community-wide contest celebrating the natural beauty of Nacogdoches, from Sept. 19 through Nov. 18.

“The goal of NacogdoTREES is to highlight the importance of urban and community trees, raise awareness of their ecological benefits, introduce the community to the field of forestry and encourage citizens to spend time outdoors,” said Sarah Fuller, outreach coordinator for SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

The contest includes categories for largest-tree circumference, largest crown, tallest tree and best shade tree, as well as best overall tree. College faculty members developed videos available on the contest’s web page to help teach and guide participants on how to complete basic forestry measurements, such as tree height and crown spread.

“Keep in mind that it’s not just all about numbers and measurements,” said Dr. Shelby Laird, assistant professor of forestry. “The best overall tree may be the tree with the best story, the most fans or simply just the most beautiful. We really hope NacogdoTREES will encourage people to get out to some of our amazing city parks and recreation areas on SFA’s campus.”

The contest also will serve as a learning opportunity for beginning forestry students at SFA. Students enrolled in Laird’s careers and competencies in forestry course will execute technical measurements needed to determine the category winners. Laird said she also hopes the contest will provide insight into what specifically endears individuals to certain trees and provide baseline data for future research.

Trees eligible for submission must be located on the SFA campus or on property managed by Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation. For contest guidelines, entry forms, prize list, area maps and resources, visit forestry.sfasu.edu/nacogdotrees/.

Again this fall, Stephen F. Austin State University alumni and friends will have the opportunity to ride in style to select Lumberjack football games. Riding on buses provided by the SFA Alumni Association, passengers can elect to ride the bus for $50 on Oct. 1, to see the Jacks play against Sam Houston State University in Houston for the Battle of the Piney Woods and $40 on Nov. 12, when the Lumberjacks play Houston Baptist University in Houston. The price includes round-trip transportation, snacks and drinks. Some itineraries include a stop for a meal (passengers are responsible for purchasing their meals).

To reserve your seat, contact the SFA Alumni Association today at (936) 468-3407, or stop by the Pearman Alumni Center on the SFA campus. More itinerary information is available at www.sfaalumni.com/events. Space is limited, so call or stop by today.

Tickets to the football games must be purchased separately by calling (936) 468-JACKS.

Faculty members of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will be the featured performers during the annual Pi Kappa Lambda Music Faculty Showcase at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 22, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

“This concert is a showcase featuring the talents of our diverse performing faculty,” said Deborah Dalton, SFA associate professor of voice and president of the local chapter of Pi Kappa Lambda, the national music honor society.

“In addition, all proceeds benefit the Pi Kappa Lambda scholarship we give each year to the sophomore music major with the highest grade point average,” Dalton said. “For the past few years, awards were given to several sophomores with 4.0 grade-point averages.”

The musicians have selected a wide range of musical styles and will perform in a variety of solo and ensemble settings.

Among the composers’ works to be performed are Astor Piazzolla, Giovanni Dettori, Isaac Albéniz, Henri Duparc, William Bolcom and Gary Schocker.

Nathan Nabb, alto saxophone, and Brad Meyer, marimba, will perform Piazzolla’s Café 1930, Mvt. II from “Histoire du Tango.” Mario Ajero, piano, will perform Dettori’s “Lady Gaga Fugue,” and Andrew Parr, piano, will perform Albéniz’s “Rondeña” from “Iberia.” Christina Guenther, flute, and Ron Petti, piano, will perform Schocker’s “Airborne,” and Dalton, mezzo-soprano, and Mary Cooper, piano, will perform Bolcom’s “Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise.”

Other performers include Kimberley LaGraff, mezzo-soprano; Scott LaGraff, baritone; Deb Scott, trombone; Nita Hudson, mezzo-soprano; Richard G. Leonberger, tenor; Emily Milius, soprano; Geneva Fung, piano; and Emily Mitchell, harp.

“This is one of the most popular concerts of the year because there is truly something for everyone, from sopranos and saxophones to trombones and tenors,” Dalton said.

The recital is a joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music and is a part of the 2016-2017 Cole Performing Arts Series. Cole Concert Hall is located in the Wright Music Building at 2210 Alumni Drive.

Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.