Everything Nac

The Symphony Orchestra at Stephen F. Austin State University will showcase the 2022 SFA Concerto/Aria Competition winners in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

This year’s winning “Stars of Tomorrow” are Oliver Yan, Hong Kong graduate student, conductor; Logan Dooley, Texarkana senior, baritone; Özge Serceler, Eskişehir, Turkey, graduate student, cello; Quentin Fisher, Roanoke, Virginia, senior, French horn; and Peyton Joffre, Carrollton junior, saxophone. Winners are given an opportunity to perform a solo work with the SFA Symphony Orchestra, according to Dr. Gregory Grabowski, director of orchestral activities at SFA.

“This program is focused on our students,” Grabowski said. “The overture will be conducted by an orchestral conducting graduate student, and all the other pieces feature the winners of the 2022 Concerto/Aria Competition from areas of the School of Music – string/piano, brass, woodwinds and voice.”

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit finearts.sfasu.edu. For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Dance’s production of “Lord of the Flies” is being considered by Region 6 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival to receive an invitation for a performance at the regional festival next year.

Directed by Cleo House Jr., director of the School of Theatre and Dance, “Lord of the Flies” was presented Nov. 3 through 6 as part of SFA’s MainStage Series. Its nomination follows a tradition of SFA plays earning nominations for festival inclusion. Last year’s SFA production of “Bootycandy,” also directed by House, was one of only six plays selected from throughout a five-state area to be presented at the festival. This year, “Lord of the Flies” is also held in a tie for Director’s Choice and for Respondent’s Choice honors.

“What I love most about participating in KCACTF is that our students get to see the work of others or have their work seen by others beyond the walls of SFA,” House said. “It is important to get outside of our bubble and get feedback from other professionals.”

House believes the KCACTF experience teaches students how to give and receive feedback, and the process of traveling a show and mounting it is “an invaluable experience.”

“Naturally, it is always great to see our students, faculty and staff being recognized for their hard work and creativity,” he said, “but KCACTF has been an important vehicle for making sure that SFA theatre is recognized for the work we do beyond campus. In addition, it serves a vehicle for recruitment. I have found that when students from junior colleges and other universities see us in action, it is a good motivational tool for them in making their decision to study theatre at SFA.”

In addition to the play being nominated, a number of cast and crew were recognized following their presentation of “Lord of the Flies” as part of the KCACTF Texas State Festival held at Panola College earlier this month. Irene Ryan Acting Nominations went to Baytown junior Joshua Harris in the role of Piggy; Sugar Land freshman Anthony Krosecz in the role of Jack; and Gary sophomore Grant Calloway in the role of Ralph. Meritorious Achievement honors went to Brownsboro senior Maige Anderson, prop designer; Katy junior Amado Velasco, dramaturge; Chandler senior CaitLyne Martin, stage management; faculty member CC Conn, sound designer; and Hickory Creek junior Emma Dumas and Brenham senior Olivia Cantrell, assistant directors.

The regional committee will decide in December which productions will be invited to the regional festival Feb. 27 through March 2 in Abilene.

KCACTF is a national organization affiliated with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The organization celebrates and encourages excellence in college and university theatre.

For more information about the School of Theatre and Dance, call (936) 468-4003 or visit sfasu.edu/theatre-dance.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is gearing up for its annual MLK Day of Service, slated for Jan. 16, 2023, and is currently taking service project requests for the Nacogdoches community.

The MLK Day of Service is an annual event that honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. During the event, participants volunteer their time and assist local agencies with various community service projects that will positively impact the Nacogdoches community.

OMA is now taking service project requests from a variety of individuals and groups, including nonprofit organizations and churches, private residences and parks, among others. Those interested are encouraged to submit project proposals by Jan. 6. Past projects have included painting, landscaping and cleaning.

SFA faculty, staff and Nacogdoches community members also are invited to serve as site managers, who are liaisons for the site between volunteers and event staff members. Managers will ensure volunteers have the information and materials needed to complete the service project.

The MLK Day of Service was initiated to honor the acts of service by the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1994, MLK Day was designated as a National Day of Service and is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change.

To submit a project, visit gosfa.com/mlkday22. For any questions or concerns when requesting your service project, contact OMA at oma@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1073.