Everything Nac

The SummerStage Festival at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a fun and funny children’s musical and an emotionally powerful American classic play in its 2017 summer theatre season.

This year’s SummerStage Festival is slated for June 27 through July 15 with performances in W.M. Turner Auditorium and the Downstage Theatre. Both venues are in Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus. This year’s plays are “Ivy + Bean the Musical” and “The Miracle Worker,” and the festival is sponsored in part by Tipton Ford Lincoln.

Launched in 2014 to take the place of the traditional Summer Repertory Theatre season, SummerStage is designed to provide less formal, fun and easy-going live theatre experiences for East Texas audiences, according to Dr. Rick Jones, interim director of the SFA School of Theatre.

“Our summer season is designed so that people in the community not only can bring the entire family, but that they’ll want to do so,” Jones said. “The ‘Ivy + Bean’ series of books is extremely popular in elementary schools, and the musical promises to be, as well. ‘The Miracle Worker’ is one of the most beloved plays in American theatre, having been staged by hundreds of professional companies, community theatres and academic theatres.”

“Ivy + Bean the Musical,” with book, music and lyrics by Scott Elmegreen and based on books by Annie Barrows as illustrated by Sophie Blackall, invites the audience to come meet quiet Ivy, who has amazing ideas, and outgoing Bean, who loves to put ideas into action. The mischievous second-grade heroines of The New York Times best-selling stories will be plotting their exploits onstage in this lively musical, according to Angela Bacarisse, SFA professor of theatre and the play’s director.

Known as the director of the smash hit “Spamalot” and the summer kids’ favorites “The Emperor’s New Clothes: The Musical,” “How I Became a Pirate” and last year’s “A Year With Frog and Toad,” Bacarisse said that when “Ivy + Bean the Musical” comes to life on Turner stage, there’s “mischief and laughter at every turn – along with lessons to be learned about the challenges and joy of family, friendship and love.”

“We are working with local libraries to feature readings of the ‘Ivy and Bean’ book series to go along with the performances,” Bacarisse said. “It has always been important to me that reading be incorporated in the summer children’s musical, beginning with ‘How I Became a Pirate.’ Each story is an adventure on its own, and then the kids get to see them come to life on the stage.”

The festival also features “The Miracle Worker,” a three-act play by William Gibson based on Helen Keller’s autobiography, “The Story of My Life.” Keller, a young deaf and blind girl trapped in a world of darkness and silence, meets Annie Sullivan, an unorthodox and brilliant teacher. Despite the numerous challenges both face, Annie ultimately becomes the miracle worker who helps Helen unlock a world of possibilities, according to Dr. Inga Meier, assistant professor of theatre and the play’s director.

Meier made her directorial debut at SFA with last summer’s hilarious “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” a witty comedy by actor, screenwriter and stand-up comic Steve Martin. “The Miracle Worker” will have a very different effect on this year’s SummerStage audiences.

“Most people today, a century and a half after her birth, have heard of Helen Keller, a deaf and blind pioneer in the worlds of disability rights and social justice,” Meier said. “We know who she was. What ‘The Miracle Worker’ shows us (and what makes the play so timeless) is how, with the help of Annie Sullivan, she persevered in the face of those challenges to become that person, and that story is one that continues to inspire.”

“Ivy + Bean the Musical” will be presented in Turner Auditorium at 10 a.m. July 1 and 6; at 2 p.m. July 5, 8 and 13; and at 6:30 p.m. July 1, 8 and 14. General admission tickets are $7.50.

“The Miracle Worker” will be presented in the Downstage Theatre at 7:30 p.m. June 27 and 29 and July 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13; and at 2 p.m. July 15. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students/youth.

Ticket sales begin Monday, May 15. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Throughout the semester, Stephen F. Austin State University students enrolled in a project management course in the Rusche College of Business engaged in a collaborative project with industry professionals.

Dr. Rajat Mishra, assistant professor in SFA’s Department of Management, Marketing and International Business, tasked students with creating a project as if they were implementing their plans in real life. Projects ranged from building a food truck business and assisted-living home to revamping Ritchie Street Park in Nacogdoches.

Mishra divided the class into groups, which were then paired with an industry professional to serve as a mentor. The project mentors included AJ Dhakal, senior lead mechanical engineer at Schlumberger in Houston; Rob McCaughey, district sales manager for Southeast Texas at ArcBest; Eloy Fernandez, SFA alumnus and food cart business owner in Austin; and Dr. Randy Napier, senior industry consultant and professor at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Not only did the mentors provide SFA students with guidance throughout their project development, but they also conducted guest lectures during the semester.

“These professionals bring their experience and expertise into the classroom, which helps bridge the gap between academia and the real world,” Mishra said. “Students learn professionalism and the practical aspects of business by working alongside these professionals. Through discussion and trial and error, students learn how to adapt in business situations.”

At the end of the semester, students presented their work to their mentors, classmates, and additional College of Business faculty and staff members.

Project Management 470 is open to all majors. Mishra explained the course acts as a capstone-like course that allows students to practice a variety of skills they learned throughout their undergraduate career. Project mentors have interviewed several students and have offered them summer internships and full-time job opportunities.

Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the Rusche College of Business, said Mishra’s approach to teaching project management “provides extremely valuable experiences for our business students.” He added the course is an “excellent example of the experiential learning opportunities the college values, and it fits perfectly with our student-centered mission.”

Registration is underway for a variety of music camps and private summer FlexLessons offered by the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music. Founded in 1980 by Shirley Watterston and Dr. Robert Blocker, SFA’s Music Prep “continues to bring music to the community,” according to Pat Barnett, division director.

Guitar Camp, directed by Chance Moore, is from 2 to 3 p.m. June 5 through 9 at the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. The camp is for ages 11 and older. Tuition is $50 or $75 with guitar rental.

A two-week Get to Know the Harp Camp, directed by Emily Mitchell for ages 8 and older, is from 2 to 3 p.m. June 5 through 8 and June 12 through 15. The harp camp will be in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus. Tuition is $160.

Piano Safari Camp, directed by Polina Golubkovna, is for children in first through third grades, and no piano experience is necessary. The beginners’ camp is from 10 to 11 a.m. June 19 through 23 in Room 223 of the Boynton Building on the SFA campus. Tuition is $75 and includes a piano book. Registration deadline is Monday, June 5.

Private lessons are available for piano, voice, guitar, harp, Suzuki violin, horn, flute, trumpet, euphonium and other instruments. Students may register for four, six or eight lessons for 30 minutes, 45 minutes or one hour. Teachers and students schedule the private lessons and take into account vacations.

Visit the Music Prep website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep for more information or to download a registration form, or contact Barnett at (936) 468-1291. Music Prep will offer online registration beginning Wednesday, May 17, for those who wish to pay with a debit or credit card.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business awarded 44 scholarships totaling $50,000 to students in the Student Success Passport Program. The college awarded four $2,500 scholarships to top scholars and 40 $1,000 runner-up scholarships.

“This program is life changing for students. It helps provide them the skills needed to succeed when they graduate and also helps alleviate some of the financial worry higher education can cause,” said Megan Sellers, coordinator for career success and corporate engagement and an academic advisor in the college.

The program, which began in fall 2015, aims to help students hone their professional skills through workshops, conferences and online assignments while competing for scholarships.

“The program was a huge success this year. Participation increased, and we had great attendance at all our events,” Sellers said. “I am extremely proud of these students who received scholarships. I watched them work hard to learn, grow and develop professionally this year.”

As a top scholar, Connor Vilven, an SFA freshman international business major from Austin, received a scholarship and remembered first becoming interested in the Student Success Passport Program during orientation.

“The Passport Program is awesome,” Vilven said. “During the past two semesters, I definitely learned professional and personal development skills, and I’ve improved my ability to present myself professionally.”

The program works on a point system. Program activities are designed to help develop students in personal and professional branding, experiential learning, leadership development, and engage in college activities and events. Assignments include developing a personal mission statement, attending an etiquette presentation, completing an internship and more.

SFA sophomore Braxton Berthot, a general business major from Douglass, received a top scholar scholarship for the second consecutive year and said, “I love this program and the College of Business.”

Top scholar Kareene Telesford, a junior accounting major from Caribbean island Grenada, also received a scholarship. “The Passport Program opened up a lot of opportunities for me to learn professional concepts,” she said.

The College of Business’ College to Career Conference was a favorite Student Success Passport Program event among scholarship recipients. During the conference, speakers representing companies from across the state, such as Kohls, Wells Fargo, Wintrust Commercial Finance, Commercial Bank of Texas, Pilgrim’s Pride, Austin Bank and more spoke with students during various sessions and executive panel discussions.

Top scholar Corey Johnson, a Dallas senior marketing major, agreed this was his favorite event sponsored by the Student Success Passport Program.

“I loved hearing what professionals said we should expect when we graduate and the different things to watch for in the corporate environment, as well as how to be professional, respect people and earn respect,” Johnson said. “It is a huge honor for me to receive this scholarship. I worked very hard. The Passport Program motivates you to be successful when you graduate.”

Faculty Service Awards —

Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members were recently honored for 10 years of service to the university. Honorees included, from left, Eric J. Jones, Kinesiology and Health Science; George E. Avery, Anthropology, Geography and Sociology; Susan Pruitt Ballard, Nursing; Mikhail S. Kouliavtsev, Economics and Finance; Carol J. Athey, Nursing; Leonard Jay Thornton, Kinesiology and Health Science; Elizabeth B. Gound, Secondary Education and Educational Leadership; Patricia Ann Berthot, Kinesiology and Health Science; Jeffrey C. Brewer, Art; Mary Stephens Olle, Human Sciences; Brian Murphy, College of Liberal and Applied Arts; Leslie G. Cecil, Anthropology, Geography and Sociology; Neal W. Cox, Art; Esther R. Bunn, Accounting; and Scott Shattuck and Addison Himes, College of Fine Arts. Also honored, but not pictured, were Alan Ivan Baily and Cindy Lee Davis, Government; Dana Cooper, History; Elizabeth Tasker Davis and Ericka A. Hoagland, English and Creative Writing; Layne Leann Debardelaben, Human Services; Cody Wayne Derouen, Management, Marketing and International Business; Robin Keng Sullivan, Mathematics and Statistics; and Ryan Phelps, Economics and Finance.

Faculty members recently honored for 20 years of service to Stephen F. Austin State University included, from left, Tina Atkinson Oswald, Library; DawnElla Marie Rust, Kinesiology and Health Science; Molly C. Smith, Multidisciplinary Programs; Roy Joseph Harris, Mathematics and Statistics; Matthew McBroom, Forestry; Patrick M. Jenlink, Secondary Education and Educational Leadership; Perry D. Moon, Languages, Cultures and Communication; and Carolyn Davidson Abel, Elementary Education. Honorees not pictured include Charles Frederick Abel, Government; Gregory Keith Miller, Mathematics and Statistics; and Kirsten M. Nelson, Music.

Awards for 30 years of service to Stephen F. Austin State University were recently presented to faculty members including, from left, Richard J. Herzog, Government; Richard Arnold Berry, Music; Ali A. Piran, Physics, Engineering and Astronomy; Cathy R. Henderson, Management, Marketing and International Business; Deborah E. Bush, English and Creative Writing; Freddie Lee Avant, Social Work; and Garland Simmons, Economics and Finance.

Faculty members retiring from Stephen F. Austin State University were recently honored for their service to SFA. Honorees included, from left, Tim King, Music; Michael M. Pickard, Computer Science; J. Keaton Grubbs and Tim Clipson, Business Communication and Legal Studies; Dale Perritt, Agriculture; John Moore, Chemistry; Nagalapura S. Viswanath, Communication Sciences and Disorders; and Ann Ellis, Library. Retirees honored but not pictured were Wynter M. Chauvin and Alan Sowards, Elementary Education; Pedro Escamilla, Languages, Cultures and Communications; Richard Langley, Chemistry; Becky Price-Mayo, Social Work; Molly C. Smith, Multidisciplinary Programs; and Hosein Hosseinpour, Mathematics and Statistics.