campusconnection: Acting I
Acting I students Mikhail Ostapovich and Mary Monaghan rehearse a scene for class.
A-B Tech Acting I Instructor Peter Carver is a self-confessed theater junkie. Grease paint runs in his blood, lights are in his eyes, the stage is his home.
And he's brought that passion to the campus and the students of A-B Tech. After years of offering a series of classes focusing on different aspects of the theater, such as Reader's Theater, Theater Appreciation, and Dramatic Literature, A-B Tech is offering for the first time in its history a class on the art of acting.
"There were more students signing up than even I expected," says Carver, whose professional experience ranges from acting to Managing Director of the Tulane Summer Lyric Theater in New Orleans to Executive Director of the Asheville Community Theater. "The main focus is to make actors out of them," says Carver. "Regardless of whether they make a career choice out of acting or not. Theater as a form of study is great for building confidence and public speaking."
And he was able to really see his work in play, so to speak, during the recent Unified Auditions held in Ferguson Auditorium. The auditions were an opportunity for local and regional actors and technicians to showcase their work in front of representatives from 19 theater companies. Organized by Carver and manned by members of the recently formed Drama Club, the auditions were a rousing success, with over 180 people participating. Sixteen of the 18 students from Carver's Acting I class braved the somewhat intimidating task of performing in front of an audience of professionals. "It was a bit like throwing them to the lions," says Carver, "but you learn through practice. I've got some really talented students." Four students have already been contacted by theater companies that attended the auditions.
With 58 theater companies in Western North Carolina, Carver feels the time is ripe to expand A-B Tech's dramatic repertoire to train not only actors, but also technicians, designers, and directors. He's already talking to Diana Wortham Theater to implement an intern program, and is in partnership with Asheville High School to create collaborative productions using their theater facilities. He is planning to stage the first A-B Tech Drama Club production by the end of fall semester. "A-B Tech challenges all students in a variety of disciplines," says Carver. "Now theater is one of them."
QEP Crossword- Fill It In and WIN!
Across
1. What we are completing for SACS
3. Month SACS will visit
7. Committee formed in July 2002 to prepare for SACS
8. How everyone (staff and students) was asked for ideas and suggestions for QEP
10. Gives accreditation to A-B Tech
12. IE stands for Institutional ________
15. All institutional planning begins with this statement
16. Usually the simplest "P" to change at an institution
17. Last name of QEP Team Leader
18. Last name of President of A-B Tech
19. A-B Tech's offerings (Wellness is one example)
Down
2. Who is responsible for implementing the QEP
4. The rules, codes, and procedures used to regulate the on-going functions of organizations
5. Offered in Fall 2002 and 2003; and Spring 2003 to receive input for QEP
6. The "P" that addresses the way we do things at A-B Tech
8. Type of plan reviewed every 5 years
9. Who should be the focus of QEP
11. They are able, valued, and responsible and should be treated accordingly
13. Type of statement added to Strategic Plan in November 2003
14. Last name of Chair of IE Committee
Completed crosswords should be sent to Deborah Lonon at 200 Elm by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5. A drawing of correct, completed crosswords will take place on Monday, March 8, and the winner will receive a $15 gift certificate from the A-B Tech Bookstore.
Celebrating Our "Sheroes"
Come celebrate National Women's History Month on Thursday, March 18, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Ferguson Auditorium with a program titled " Women Who Have Inspired Hope in Our Lives: Naming and Celebrating our 'Sheroes.'"
Darcel Grimes, anchorwoman for WLOS, will be the featured speaker. She will talk about her life and the women who have inspired her with hope and possibility, followed by a question ando answer period. Other guests will also talk briefly about the inspirational women in their lives. Local jazz singer Kat Williams and others will provide music and entertainment.
The program will be followed by refreshments. All students, employees, and the public are welcome at no cost.
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If you would like to receive a printed copy of Tech Talk, please e-mail Mona Cornwell at MCornwell@abtech.edu to put your name on a list of subscribers.
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