Everything Nac

Internships provide valuable experience in any chosen career. But completing an internship can also be a deciding factor for a recent college graduate looking to land that big first job.

For fine arts students majoring in various areas of art and theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University, internships often take them to big cities in far-away places and open the doors to exciting experiences.

Many students earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the SFA School of Theatre will complete, for credit, either a year of study abroad at Rose Bruford College in London, England, or a yearlong internship with a professional regional theatre company. Some may spend a summer in an internship with a professional theatre company such as the Texas Shakespeare Festival or Portland Stage Company in Maine. Others start their careers as interns after graduation.

“Our study-abroad partnership with Rose Bruford College fulfills the same requirement as a internship in the BFA program, but I wouldn’t characterize it as an internship,” explained Scott Shattuck, director of the School of Theatre. “Students enroll in a different course and get in-class instruction, albeit in a conservatory setting that is quite different from our approach here at SFA.”

Theatre major Gary “Chipper” Morris of Grand Prairie is completing a summer educational internship in the Education Department of Portland Stage that runs through Aug. 18. He will begin a seasonal internship there in early September that runs through May 18. Morris is working as a teacher this summer at camps based around books such as the Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and Boo series. He pieces together monologues and scenes that campers bring to life.

“It’s really cool that I have a job that allows me to show kids how theater can be used to bring any story to life, even popular books that I was fortunate enough to read when I was a kid,” Morris said. “I really don’t think there’s anything better than seeing all these kids having an unforgettable experience while knowing I was able to help make it so.”

In the fall and spring, Morris will be involved in Portland Stage’s public school outreach program and weekend theatrical camps for children.

“Portland Stage also does a wonderful job of allowing its interns to get work experience in just about every department, which could be anything, ranging from lighting to costuming to stage management, etc.,” he said. “Some interns even get some acting opportunities on mainstage productions.”

The School of Theatre has a close relationship with Kilgore’s Texas Shakespeare Festival because Shattuck and Angela Bacarisse, professor of theatre at SFA, have worked there frequently in the past. Other longstanding partnerships for BFA internships are with Dallas Children’s Theater, a professional company that produces high-quality plays for young audiences both in Dallas and on national tours, and Arizona Theatre Company, that state’s largest non-profit professional resident theatre company, which performs in both Tucson and Phoenix. SFA theatre students have also worked with Theatre Three in Dallas. SFA theatre alumna Kat Edwards completed her BFA internship at Theatre Three. She now supervises the company’s internship program as their company manager. SFA senior theatre major Taylor Dobbs of Baytown is working this summer with “The Lost Colony,” an outdoor symphonic drama produced by the Roanoke Island Historical Association at Manteo’s Waterside Theatre on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. As an undergraduate, SFA alumnus Nick Pinelli completed internships at TSF and Texas Nonprofit Theatres Inc. in Fort Worth. He would later secure positions with Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey and Madcap Puppet Theatre, a troupe in Cincinnati.

SFA also works with Porchlight Music Theatre in Chicago, AD Players in Houston, and Milwaukee Repertory Theater.

Palestine senior Greg Albright’s internship with Porchlight in Chicago begins in mid-August and continues to mid-May. He will primarily be doing office work, but he will also have opportunities during the company’s mainstage season in a variety of areas, such as stage management, sound design and props.

“The internship is all-encompassing,” he said. “It allows me to dabble in anything and everything I want to experience.”

His transition to Chicago began with a lot of online research, identifying the company’s office space and performance venue locations, his apartment options in safe and affordable locations, and best ways to navigate the city. Because it is not a paid internship, it was critical that Albright calculate rent, food and transportation costs and other expenses far in advance so that he could budget adequately. Recent SFA graduates Mary Collie and Sarah Wisterman, along with other School of Theatre alumni, are based in Chicago and are available to advise him, Albright said.

Internship benefits are many, the greatest of which is probably the networking opportunities, according to Shattuck.

“Students form relationships with peers and arts professionals that allow them to develop professional networks in a very competitive field,” he said. “They also put ‘soft-skills’ such as teamwork, problem-solving and communication to the test in a way that often allows them to develop even more rapidly than they do in our production processes on campus.”

Central Heights senior Kathleen Easterling was an intern in the costume shop at Texas Shakespeare Festival last summer and was rehired this summer, mainly as a stitcher and dresser during performances, working daily from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. with short lunch and dinner breaks.

“By working at TSF last summer, I was able to establish a reputation for myself and be rehired this summer,” Easterling said. “I made so many connections with people all over the country last year and this year. I was able to work with highly experienced designers and learn many different techniques from my coworkers. I loved being able to meet people from all over the country and to experience different cultures.”

Additionally, students can learn information, vocabulary and skills that they don’t get on campus because they are working with different equipment, people with different backgrounds, and different material than they were exposed to on campus, Shattuck explained.

“We work hard to make their experience here at SFA as varied as we can, but they’ll always encounter new things in the ‘real world,'” he said.

“Not only did I improve my craft by working with TSF, but I made so many life-long friends,” Easterling said. “The connections you make with your coworkers and the community of Kilgore are so amazing. I met so many kind and wonderful people here at TSF. I would not trade my experiences here for anything.”

Several SFA design students in the School of Art have found internships closer to home, and some are on campus. Student graphic artists are working this summer with SFA Athletics, Campus Recreation and the College of Fine Arts. One student is interning with Tyler Today Magazine, two others recently secured internships with a Henderson sign company, and other student designers are interning at the Naranjo Museum in Lufkin.

The Junior Jacks Theatre Camp of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre is popular among area children entering third through ninth grades.

So much so that the third through sixth grades category is already filled for this summer’s two-week day camp. But a few openings are available for seventh through ninth graders, according to Carolyn Conn, associate professor of theatre at SFA and the camp’s director.

Junior Jacks was designed as a day-camp version of the highly successful High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA.

“We have children representing all local and nearby schools as well as many home schoolers,” Conn said. “There are also many repeat campers. This year, five of our former Junior Jacks ‘graduates’ are attending the High School Summer Theatre Workshop at SFA. We also have one former Junior Jack/High School Workshop participant who just completed her first year as an SFA theatre major.”

Junior Jacks is a community outreach opportunity to introduce children to theatre and allow the School of Theatre’s teacher certification students to work with students who are younger than high school age. This year’s camp is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 1, through Saturday, Aug. 13. Registration deadline is July 29.

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 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, 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.

OPEN MEETING NOTICE

Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents

Board Meeting and Committee Meetings

July 24 – 26 in Austin Building 307

The Board of Regents of Stephen F. Austin State University will convene a three-day Board Meeting and Committee Meetings according to the following agenda:
SUNDAY, JULY 24

2 p.m. CALL TO ORDER IN OPEN SESSION

EXECUTIVE SESSION

The board will immediately move to executive session for consideration of the following items:

Consultation with Attorney Regarding Legal Advice or Pending and/or Contemplated Litigation or Settlement Offers, including but not limited to the policy review process, reported complaints and claims, OCR and EEOC complaints, Title IX, and Timothy Dugger v. SFASU (Texas Government Code, Section 551.071)

Consideration of Individual Personnel Matters Relating to Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Assignment, Duties, Discipline, or Dismissal of an Officer or Employee, including but not limited to the head women’s basketball coach, the athletic director, the general counsel, the chief audit executive, the coordinator of board affairs, the vice presidents and the president (Texas Government Code, Section 551.074)

Deliberations Regarding Negotiated Contracts for Prospective Gifts or Donations (Texas Government Code, Section 551.073)

Deliberations Regarding the Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Sale or Value of Real Property (Texas Government Code, Section 551.072)

Deliberations Regarding the Deployment, or Specific Occasions for Implementation, of Security Personnel or Devices (Texas Government Code, Section 551.076)

• Texas Administrative Code Section 202 Information Security Audit

• Update from chief information officer

Estimated adjournment at 5 p.m. The board will reconvene in open session and recess for the evening with no action expected.

MONDAY, JULY 25

8 a.m. CALL TO ORDER IN OPEN SESSION

MEETING OF THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE

Presentation and Committee Action on Agenda Items 18 – 21:

18. Legal Services – Real Estate

19. Legal Services – Oil and Gas, Mineral Interests, and/or Utilities Matters

20. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Capital Plan

21. Approval of Building and Grounds Policy Revisions

Assembly and Demonstrations 16.4

Camp and Conference Reservations 16.7

Fire and Life Safety 13.24

Report: Current Construction

Report: Kirksey Architects

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING will convene at approximately 9:30 a.m. or following the previous committee.

Report: Senate Bill 20

Presentation and Committee Action on Agenda Items 22 – 35:

22. Acknowledge Receipt of Audit Services Report

23. Approval of Annual Audit Plan

24. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Capital Plan Budget

25. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Institutional Operating Budget

26. Approval to Submit the FY 2018-19 Legislative Appropriation Request

27. Information Technology Services Capital Fund

28. Network Infrastructure

29. Bond Refunding, Refinancing and Issuance Resolution

30. Grant Awards

31. Legal Services – Tax

32. Legal Services – Wills, Trusts and Estates

33. Legal Services – Public Finance and Bond Issuance

34. Legal Services – Financial

35. Approval of Financial Affairs Policy Revisions

Agency Accounts 3.1

Compliance 2.12 (New)

Interagency and Interlocal Contracts 17.8

Interdepartmental Transfers (IDT) 17.9

Vendor Protests 16.36

Report: Fair Labor Standards Act

Report: Bond Financing

Report: Richards Carlberg

Report: Feasibility Study Regarding Comprehensive Campaign

ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE MEETING will convene at approximately 11 a.m. or following the previous committee adjournment.

Presentation and Committee Action on Agenda Items 11 – 17:

11. Intercollegiate Athletic Policies and Procedures Manual Revisions

12. Legal Services – Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

13. Legal Services – Health Law

14. Legal Services – Intellectual Property

15. Legal Services – Immigration

16. Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling

17. Approval of Academic and Student Affairs Policy Revisions

Academic Promotion 7.4

Administrative Evaluation of Faculty Performance and Consideration for Merit Pay 7.6

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act 2.5

Computer System Access 14.3

Distance Education Faculty Competencies and Compensation 7.9

Dual Employment 11.7

Electronic Accessibility 16.9

Emergency Operations Plan 13.8

Intellectual Property 9.4

Intellectual Property Rights for Distance Education 9.5 (To be deleted)

Missing Student Notification 13.13

Policy Development and Format 1.6

Post-tenure Review 7.22

Reasonable Workplace Accommodations for Disabilities 11.22

Sexual Misconduct 2.13

Student Code of Conduct 10.4

Students Displaying Serious Psychological Issues 10.13

Tenure 7.29

Transfer Admission and Credits 6.20

Report: Enrollment Action

Report: Student Success Center

The board will recess for lunch at noon, and a tour of the Burke Center will follow at 1:30 p.m. A quorum is expected to attend by no action will be taken. The meeting will reconvene at approximately 3 p.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION at approximately 3 p.m. or immediately following the prior meeting, for consideration of the following items:

Deliberations Regarding the Deployment, or Specific Occasions for Implementation, of Security Personnel or Devices (Texas Government Code, Section 551.076)

• Update from chief information officer

• Texas Administrative Code Section 202 Information Security Audit

Deliberations Regarding the Purchase, Exchange, Lease, Sale or Value of Real Property (Texas Government Code, Section 551.072)

Deliberations Regarding Negotiated Contracts for Prospective Gifts or Donations (Texas Government Code, Section 551.073)

Consideration of Individual Personnel Matters Relating to Appointment, Employment, Evaluation, Assignment, Duties, Discipline, or Dismissal of an Officer or Employee, including but not limited to the head women’s basketball coach, the athletic director, the general counsel, the chief audit executive, the coordinator of board affairs, the vice presidents and the president (Texas Government Code, Section 551.074)

Consultation with Attorney Regarding Legal Advice or Pending and/or Contemplated Litigation or Settlement Offers, including but not limited to the policy review process, reported complaints and claims, OCR and EEOC complaints, Title IX, and Timothy Dugger v. SFASU (Texas Government Code, Section 551.071)
Estimated adjournment: 5 p.m. The board will reconvene in open session and recess for the evening with no further action expected.

TUESDAY, JULY 26

9 a.m. RECONVENE BOARD MEETING IN OPEN SESSION

Call to Order and Pledge to the Flags Invocation

Special Recognitions

Board Action on Agenda Item 1:

1. Approval of Minutes of April 8, 11 and 12, 2016, and June 13, 2016, Board of Regents Meetings

Presentation and Board Action on Administrative Items 2 – 5:

2. Election of the President for 2016-2017

3. Election of the General Counsel for 2016-2017

4. Election of the Chief Audit Executive for 2016-2017

5. Election of the Coordinator of Board Affairs for 2016-2017

Presentation and Board Action on Personnel Items 6 – 10:

6. Faculty Appointments

7. Staff Appointments

8. Changes of Status

9. Retirements

10. Holiday Schedule for 2016-2017

Committee Reports and Board Action:

Academic and Student Affairs Committee (Report and Board Action on Agenda Items 11 – 17):

11. Intercollegiate Athletic Policies and Procedures Manual Revisions

12. Legal Services – Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

13. Legal Services – Health Law

14. Legal Services – Intellectual Property

15. Legal Services – Immigration

16. Master of Arts Degree in Professional Counseling

17. Approval of Academic and Student Affairs Policy Revisions

Academic Promotion 7.4

Administrative Evaluation of Faculty Performance and Consideration for Merit Pay 7.6

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the ADA Amendments Act 2.5

Computer System Access 14.3

Distance Education Faculty Competencies and Compensation 7.9

Dual Employment 11.7

Electronic Accessibility 16.9

Emergency Operations Plan 13.8

Intellectual Property 9.4

Intellectual Property Rights for Distance Education 9.5 (To be deleted)

Missing Student Notification 13.13

Policy Development and Format 1.6

Post-tenure Review 7.22

Reasonable Workplace Accommodations for Disabilities 11.22

Sexual Misconduct 2.13

Student Code of Conduct 10.4

Students Displaying Serious Psychological Issues 10.13

Tenure 7.29

Transfer Admission and Credits 6.20

Building and Grounds Committee (Report and Board Action on Agenda Item 18 – 21):

18. Legal Services – Real Estate

19. Legal Services – Oil and Gas, Mineral Interests, and/or Utilities Matters

20. Approval of the Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Capital Plan

21. Approval of Building and Grounds Policy Revisions

Assembly and Demonstrations 16.4

Camp and Conference Reservations 16.7

Fire and Life Safety 13.24

Finance and Audit Committee (Report and Board Action on Agenda Items 22 – 35):

22. Acknowledge Receipt of Audit Services Report

23. Approval of Annual Audit Plan

24. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Capital Plan Budget

25. Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Institutional Operating Budget

26. Approval to Submit the FY 2018-19 Legislative Appropriation Request

27. Information Technology Services Capital Fund

28. Network Infrastructure

29. Bond Refunding, Refinancing and Issuance Resolution

30. Grant Awards

31. Legal Services – Tax

32. Legal Services – Wills, Trusts and Estates

33. Legal Services – Public Finance and Bond Issuance

34. Legal Services – Financial

35. Approval of Financial Affairs Policy Revisions

Agency Accounts 3.1

Compliance 2.12 (New)

Interagency and Interlocal Contracts 17.8

Interdepartmental Transfers (IDT) 17.9

Vendor Protests 16.36

Reports:

President

Upcoming Dates

Carillon Bells

Campus Carry

Tobacco Free Campus

2016 East Texas Regional 60x30TX Workshop

Paint the Town Purple

August Commencement

Faculty Senate

Introductions

Faculty Senate Activities – Late Spring 2016

Summer Preparations for 2016-17 Session

Faculty Accomplishments

Student Government Association

Introduction

Goals for 2016-17

Athletics Fee

11 a.m. ESTIMATED ADJOURNMENT OF BOARD MEETING

Where appropriate and permitted by law, Executive Sessions may be held for the above listed subjects (Section 551.071). Possible action may be taken in Open Session on matters considered in Executive Session. Further details regarding the posted agenda are available for public review in the Office of the Board of Regents, Austin Building 308, Telephone (936) 468-4048.