Everything Nac

Brandon Nance, a Stephen F. Austin State University junior forestry major within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, recently participated in Honor Flight San Diego, escorting military veterans to Washington, D.C., to tour memorials honoring their service.

Honor Flight San Diego is a nonprofit branch of the nationwide Honor Flight Network, which provides veterans who served during World War II through the Vietnam War with an all-expenses-paid trip to tour the nation’s war memorials.

The most recent veteran cohort comprised members of the Helicopter Attack Squadron Light 3, known as the HAL-3 Seawolves. This all-volunteer squadron within the U.S. Navy supported critical special warfare operations during the Vietnam War.

Nance’s family maintains a rich military history across multiple branches of service. Although an asthma diagnosis prevented Nance from formal military enrollment, he continues to serve and support veterans through advocacy and volunteerism, including building relationships within SFA’s Veterans Resource Center.

“I try to do everything I can do to help veterans,” Nance said. “They deserve everything, but there are a lot of things they don’t get when they return.”

Nance said that in addition to combat-related injuries, many veterans struggle with mental health and housing insecurity, among other concerns.

“You never know what someone is going through,” Nance said. “Sometimes it’s important to reach out and just listen to them.”

This is the second time Nance has participated in an Honor Flight. While in high school, Nance won an essay contest that provided him with the opportunity to accompany veterans visiting the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.

“It is an honor and a privilege to meet these gentlemen and hear their stories,” Nance said.

For more information on resources available to veterans and dependents of veterans attending SFA, visit the SFA Veterans Resource Center at sfasu.edu/vrc.

The story about a group of young boys, trapped on a desert island, who discover the darkness of human nature will come to life on stage when the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre and Dance present “Lord of the Flies” Nov. 3 through 6 in Kennedy Auditorium on the SFA campus.

The 1954 novel by Nobel Prize-winning British author William Golding, “Lord of the Flies” has been a staple on high school reading lists for decades. Even those who have not read the novel are well acquainted with its title and storyline, giving it what School of Theatre and Dance Director Cleo House Jr. describes as “iconic” status.

“It’s a big show, with characters who do larger-than-life things,” said House, who is the play’s director. “Even though there’s plenty of drama, the comedy in the show is very present. We picked this show because it gives students an opportunity to do something very different from a traditional play.”

Evacuated from a war-torn world and marooned on a deserted island when their plane crashes, a group of teenage British boys find themselves battling for survival with no adults to help them. Struggling with inner demons and external fears, and driven by a primitive blood-lust, their childish “games” lead to tragic consequence.

“The play asks the question: what happens when people are left to their own devices without the bounds of societal norms?” House asks. “It also explores what happens when we stop seeing each other as people. When I spoke initially with the cast, I told them the play is rooted in illusion: What is real? Is it the societal norms? Is it the freedom of the jungle, or the fear of the jungle? My approach with the play is to explore all of these questions.”

With a cast of mostly first-timers in an SFA Mainstage Series show, including a freshman lead character, House is looking forward to guiding students in building three-dimensional characters in the play, adapted for the stage by Nigel Williams.

“In a show like this, you have to give a lot of energy and emotion,” he said. “The show is also very, very physical. The actors are running, crawling, fighting, laughing, crying, dancing. It has been a journey. The actors are constantly working to build their stamina. And, characters are speaking in British accents, which is always a challenge.

“The setting for the show is quite large with many different locations,” he added. “In rehearsals, we had to get creative about how we used the space.”

House considers this presentation of “Lord of the Flies” a PG-13 play, “but anyone from 12 years old and up can find joy in the ‘adventure’ the play offers,” he added.

“And, I hope everyone will come to see how amazing our students are,” he said. “The actors in the show have brought such a high level of energy and excitement. They have been pushing each other to be better in and out of rehearsal. They started memorizing their lines well before the due date, and they are always asking questions and seeking ways to be better. They are simply incredibly hard workers. Yes, they are talented, but it is their commitment to each other and the process that makes them great artists.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 3 through 5, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6. General ticket prices are: adult, $15; senior (62+), $10; youth (high school and younger), $8; SFA faculty/staff, $8; non-SFA student, $8; and SFA student, $5. For ticketing information or to purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS, or visit boxoffice.sfasu.edu.

The A Cappella Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University will present Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem when the choir performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Nacogdoches.

The A Cappella Choir is conducted by Dr. Michael Murphy, director of choral activities at SFA. Also performing on Requiem are music faculty members Weston Jennings, organ, and Dr. Scott LaGraff, baritone.

Dr. Nathan Nabb, director of the School of Music and professor of saxophone, will perform on English composer Patrick Hawes’ “Quanta Qualia.” Also on the program is Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” featuring Martha De Luna, graduate conducting student from Las Caobas, Dominican Republic. Music by Frank Martin will also be performed.

The concert is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted for the A Cappella Choir’s Italy tour of Venice, Florence and Rome. Sacred Heart Catholic Church is located at 2508 Appleby Sand Road. For more information about the concert, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host the inaugural Men’s Empowerment Summit from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28 beginning in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Incorporating the theme “Legacy in Leadership,” the summit seeks to ensure men understand the legacy their leadership can have in their respective communities and strive to use leadership roles to effect positive change. Topics will include entrepreneurship, mentorship, and health and wellness.

“The Office of Multicultural Affairs recognizes the key role men, particularly young men, play in strengthening our communities and economy,” said Ja’Von Long, OMA assistant director. “It is important to have events that offer men skills that can be used not only for the betterment of themselves but also for the communities of which they are a part.”

Jalon Berry and Saville Harris, both former SFA employees who have strong ties to the university, are slated to be keynote speakers. According to Long, each speaker has the ability to connect with students and communities and ensure attendees are empowered with new knowledge to achieve a legacy in leadership.

“We hope to see over 150 men educating themselves and using the tools they learn here to educate, mentor and lead within their respective communities,” Long said.

The summit will include breakout sessions, panel discussions, and professional networking opportunities, along with health screenings, professional headshots, résumé and professional-dress education, and mental health screenings. Food will also be included.

The summit is free and open to the public. Register by Oct. 24 at gosfa.com/mens-summit.

For more information, contact OMA at (936) 468-1073 or oma@sfasu.edu.