CONNECTIONS College of Fine Arts Spring 2020 Edition
TS R A E H T R O CENTER F g 2020 rin Opening Sp
CANDIDLY SPEAKING — FROM THE DEAN’S DESK The spring semester at UM is always a time of excitement as we welcome our returning and new students to campus. Spring 2020 continues that tradition. Over the almost five decades of the life of the College, one of the most significant and ongoing traditions has been the generous support of the University by our alumni and friends. This philanthropy has been not only the lifeblood of the College but also a life-changing force for students’ success. In this edition, I want to express our collective, deep appreciation for the Friends of the College of Fine Arts Steering Committee, the Office of Advancement and the donors who open new doors for our students through scholarships. College of Fine Arts Dean’s Scholarships Department of Art Martha Allen Memorial Scholarship in Art Virginia Barnes Memorial Arts Scholarship Joan Gregory Art Scholarship Meacham-Metz Scholarship Dorothy Robbins Mullican Scholarship R. Marshall Pitts Sculpture Endowment Fund Madge Taylor Sims Scholarship Southern Progress Scholarship for Graphic Design Wheeler Endowment for Art Department of Communication Ellen Haven Gould Alumni Scholarship Gossom Scholarship Endowment Wales W. Wallace Jr. Communication Studies Scholarship Department of Music Vivian Nix Autry Endowed Scholarship The Helen A. Boykin Endowment for Music H. Forrest & Jo Murphree Duncan Memorial Scholarship Mary Ann Fiery Scholarship Fund Gordon F. Taylor Endowed Memorial Scholarship Billie Mizzell Hoffman Memorial Scholarship
Miles and Houston Huffstutler Memorial Scholarship in Music Alice “Slim” Aldora Hyatt Endowed Scholarship Harrison D. LeBaron Music Award Lyman Memorial Scholarship Endowment Stephen and Annette Pickett Scholarship in Music Lauris and John Stewart Endowed Scholarship Bruce Tolbert Scholarship in Vocal Music Dr. John A. Williams Scholarship Endowment in Music Dr. Robert E. Wright Memorial Scholarship The Elizabeth Frances Young Piano Award Lee Fisher Jr. Scholarship Charles Rendell Calkins Jr. Scholarship The Nina Tait Cook Endowed Scholarship in Keyboard Performance Mary Mims Curtis Memorial Music Scholarship Dorothy Crabtree Dobbins Scholarship Department of Theatre Carolyn & W.T. Chichester Fund for Theater Charles C. Harbour Scholarship Richard E. & Mary Alice Ballentine Drama Scholarship John Owen Franklin Memorial Scholarship
Please check out the spring season calendar-at-a-glance on our COFA webpage. It features all the events in detail. montevallo.edu/performances-and-events As always, I thank you for your continuing support of the College of Fine Arts.
Steve Peters, Ph.D. Dean of the College of Fine Arts
On the cover: (from left) Dean Steve Peters, Music Chair Dr. Alan Goldspiel, Communication Chair Dr. Randall Scott, Art Chair Scott Stephens, Theatre Chair Dr. David Callaghan; above left: Friends of the College of Fine Arts Steering Committee pictured with Dean Peters. (From left) Barbara Sloan, Rod Hildreth, Cathy Jo Wheeler, Eric Olson, Robert Altman; not pictured: Carolyn Duncan, Melanie Poole.
WELCOME TO COFA! Allen Phillips, visiting assistant professor of multimedia journalism, holds an M.A. from Michigan State University. He brings an extensive background in public relations, having worked at Fortune 500 companies on a variety of internal and external communications projects, on national and international levels. Phillips encourages students to use social media and other innovative approaches to go beyond customary print and broadcast coverage.
Andrew Fancher ’14 is the new Center for the Arts facility manager and special events coordinator. Fancher will provide managerial oversight of the Center and continue his oversight of Palmer Auditorium for the Facility & Events Scheduling Office.
Leadership Shelby County Tours Center for the Arts
Broadway Performer Conducts Workshop for Musical Theatre Students
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roadway performer Angela Birchett conducted a guest artist workshop with musical theatre concentration students in October. She coached each student on her audition techniques and songs. Birchett also led an intensive on the business side of a career in theatre. During her visit to campus, an article on Playbill.com featured photos of Birchett performing with Bette Midler.
STUDENT Success
Faith Callens interned with the Alabama News Network this past summer.
Katharine Murray interned at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., during the summer. One of six students selected for the position, Murray’s Katzenberger Art History Internship was with the National Postal Museum, where she primarily worked on a stamp art project by researching stamp art and interviewing artists. She also assisted the museum’s Education and Visitor Services Department in the development and implementation of innovative arts-based hands-on programming.
Kelly Garrett worked as a producer intern at WVTM 13 in Birmingham over the summer.
Matthew Renna interned at EWTN, the Global Catholic Television Network.
Two communication studies students placed in the TRIO McNair Scholars Program 2019 3-Minute Thesis competition. Marcos Lopez took first place and Caleb Jones took third place.
Jonathan Weed was featured in his hometown newspaper for how he spends his summer vacation earning money to help pay for college.
Art students, Hannah Lewis, Lindsey Greer, Sara Scott and Emily Tucker, and recent UM alumna Erica Lewis ’19, (BFA art and B.A. English) had their printmaking work on display at INK ONLY II — A Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Printmaking hosted by PaperWorkers Local and showing at the Project Space at UAB. This biennial exhibition features innovative work in printmaking selected from national entries that were judged by Hallie Ringle, The Hugh Kaul Curator of Contemporary Art at the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Senior BFA theatre students concentrating in musical theatre are working with theatre faculty and Anthony Daniel, a director in New York City, on their March 2020 New York City senior showcase for agents and casting directors with The Growing Studio.
Abby Jo Askins was named Miss Huntsville USA 2020. She competed for the title of Miss Alabama USA in October 2019. Zelma Cable worked as a marketing intern at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama during the summer. She managed social media, created newsletters and press releases and wrote blog posts for the brand.
Skyelar Haynie interned at the Rick and Bubba Show. Kendall Messer interned at Revocation Radio.
Fifteen musical theatre students are preparing to attend the screening auditions for the A1 Theatre conference in New York City for summer professional work.
Theatre students worked on two fall theatre productions: an Irish drama, “The Weir,” by Conor McPherson and the musical, “Chicago,” by Kander and Ebb.
DEPARTMENT Spotlight AWARDS & HONORS
certification in the Kodály Concept through the University of Montevallo Kodály Institute in July 2019. Dr. Eun-Hee Park, assistant professor of music, was awarded a Pre-Tenured Faculty Summer Research Stipend for a CD recording project during the Summer of 2020. Dr. Tiffany Wang, associate professor of communication studies, was named the Thomas L. Veenendall Advisor of the Year Award for the National Communication Association Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society.
Ryan Foster, instructor of art, and Dr. Becky Halliday, associate professor of music, were recipients of the College of Fine Arts Distinguished Teacher Award for 2018-2019. Drs. Sherry Ford and Sally Hardig, professors of communication studies, will conduct a study for the Kettering Foundation on Deliberative Democracy. They were awarded a 20192020 Joint Learning Agreement and a research grant from the Kettering Foundation to support their research project entitled: “Exploring the Role of the Communication Studies Curriculum in Shaping Students’ Awareness of Deliberative Democracy.” This year-long project will investigate how the communication studies curriculum can help students learn the proper, ethical use of rhetoric and interpersonal communication skills to positively affect the democratic processes.
Tanner Young, assistant professor of art, received a Pre-Tenured Faculty Summer Research Stipend for the Summer of 2020, allowing him to participate in the International Symposium: Cast Metal and 3D Printing at the Atelierhaus Hilmsen Residency in Hilmsen, Germany. Young will collaborate with an international group of sculptors exploring various approaches to metal casting (iron and bronze).
CONCERTS & PERFORMANCES The Meállo Trio (Dr. Lori Ardovino, Dr. Alan Goldspiel, Dr. Melanie Williams, professor of music) and the LeBaron Trio (Ardovino, Dr. Laurie Middaugh, staff accompanist and instructor, and Williams) gave concerts and talks at Boaz High School and Snead State Community College in September. The concerts featured music composed by Goldspiel and Ardovino, including the world premieres of three of the pieces.
The University of Montevallo Kodály Institute (Dr. Becky Halliday, director) has been recognized as an Endorsed Teacher Training Program by the Organization of American Kodály Educators. This distinction places the UMKI within an elite group of 36 endorsed programs nationwide. Dr. Ted Hoffman, associate professor of music, began a four-year term as facilitator of the Society for Music Teacher Education School-University Partnerships Area of Strategic Planning and Action (ASPA). Dr. Ted Hoffman completed the requirements for
In July, Dr. Joe Ardovino, professor of music, participated in the International trumpet-making workshop in Bloomington, Indiana. He presented a recital and lecture on the experience in September in LeBaron Recital Hall. Continued on page 8
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1 COFA Dean’s Office staff and chairs tour the Center for the Arts; 2 COMS Day 2019; 3 Moth Project visiting artist; 4 Theatre’s production of “The Weir;” 5 High school students at Exploring Mass Communication Day; 6 UM Concert Choir performs at the Louisiana American Choral Directors Association Fall Vocal Conference; 7 Best High School Production winners at Scare My Shorts Off Short Horror Film Festival; 8 Wade Folger MacDonald’s artist talk for “Shadowtime;” 9 COMS Day 2019 photo booth; 10 Alabama Conference of Theatre Summit on Diversity; 11 enhakē performs the world premiere of “Abgand and Kaddish” by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich; 12 Dr. Alan Goldspiel performs at the National Association of Composers, USA fall concert; 13 TeaYoun Kim-Kassor’s opening reception for “Access for All;” 14 WRBL News 3 News Director Gene Kirkconnell visits with the Vallo Vision News team.
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Department Spotlight continued from page 5 The LeBaron Trio performed a concert of works by UM composers/faculty members Dr. Alan Goldspiel, professor and department chair of music, and Dr. Lori Ardovino, professor of music, at Pensacola State University in September. Michael Walker, assistant professor of theatre, attended the National Black Theatre Festival in Winston-Salem to stage and open the production of his play, “Canfield Drive,” produced by The Black Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
EXHIBITIONS, TOURS & EVENTS Professor of Communication Dr. Jay Cofield’s documentary, “Aldrich, Henry’s Hometown,” had its world premiere at the Lanett City Film Festival in August. The documentary is the story of Aldrich, a sleepy little former coal mining camp in central Alabama. The documentary won a Best Shorts Competition Award in September. The University of Montevallo Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Melinda Doyle, associate professor of music, has been chosen to perform at the American Choral Directors Association Southern Region Conference in Mobile from March 11-14, 2020. Montevallo was chosen to perform at the conference based on audio submissions from the past three academic years, and its accomplishments and performing vitae. Department of Art faculty members participated at SECAC (formerly the Southeastern College Art Conference):
• Instructor of Art Amy Feger discussed her shifting art practice in “Living in The Information Age, Making Art About the Anthropocene.”
• Professor of Art Karen Graffeo was featured in the
SECAC Artists’ Fellowship Recipient Exhibition, “My Other Body: Trans-Culture Transgender Cuba/Alabama: Karen Graffeo, Julio Larramendi, Sonja Reiger and Carolyn Sherer.”
• Professor of Art Collin Williams presented his in-
stallation “Passenger, Passage, Passing” in the session, “Articulating the Invisible Through Studio Practice.”
• Professor of Art Dr. Kelly Wacker “The Deer with the Mona Lisa Smile: William Holbrook Beard’s Anthropomorphic Animals and an Art Historians’ Journey into Creative Non-Fiction in The Mythic Bestiary session.”
• Art alumna Ann Moody ’14 received the Co-Director’s Award in the SECAC Members Juried Exhibition.
Lickety-split, 2018 by Ann Moody; fabric, oil stick, acrylic, charcoal, lipstick, spray dye, foundation, other things; 72” H x 48” W.
Drs. Sally Hardig and Sherry Ford served on a SSCA Vice Presidential Spotlight panel at the annual conference of the Southern States Communication Association held in Montgomery this spring. The panel featured discussion of collaborative problem-solving processes. Associate Professors of Theatre Emily Gill and Kel Laeger attended the Prague Quadrennial in the Czech Republic. The event was an international exposition and gathering of performance design artists from more than 92 countries featuring national exhibits, performances, workshops and lectures. Professor of Art Scott Meyer’s ceramic sculpture was on display as part of the Alabama State Council on the Arts 2019 Fellowship Recipients’ Exhibition. The work was on display in the Georgine Clark Alabama Artist Gallery. Dr. Eun-Hee Park returned after an extensive concert tour with her chamber ensemble enhakē. The concert venues included the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh, University of St. Francis, Monroe Arts Center’s Sunday Concert Series and University of Wisconsin at Stevens Points. Drs. Brittney Patterson and Eun-Hee Park, both assistant professors of music, performed on A Little Lunch Music series at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art at Auburn University in September. Additionally, Patterson and Park performed a flute-piano duo recital at the Alabama Piano Gallery, and on the Terrific Tuesday series at Shelton State Community College in September, and in Opelika in October.
• Kyle Moore, assistant professor of theatre: “3D Printing: Mixing the Every Day and the Newly Possible”
• Dr. Eun-Hee Park: “Georg Goltermann and His Cello”
• Dr. Kelly Wacker, professor of art: “The Deer with the Mona Lisa Smile”
• Drs. Kelly Wacker and Dr. Jill Wicknick, associate
professor of biology: “AZZA: An Interdisciplinary Art and Zoology Course”
Assistant Professor of Mass Communication Brook Pruitt’s mini short film, “The Film Roll,” screened at the Miami Independent Film Festival in Miami, Florida. It won the Mini Short category for the month of August and will compete in 2020 with the other monthly winners of this category. The documentary also won the Micro Short Stop Motion category for the month of July at The Berlin Flash Film Festival. Dr. Melanie Williams attended the Contemporary Commercial Music Institute at Shenandoah University in July. Led by outstanding professional voice teachers and performers in musical theatre, pop/rock and jazz, as well as leaders in the field of vocal health for singers, this workshop explored non-classical vocal pedagogues, styles and literature. The second Senior Unified Musical Theatre Showcase with The Growing Studio in New York City will take place March 8-11, 2020, once again directed by director Anthony Daniel.
Dr. Becky Halliday presented both a poster, “Multigenerational Music-Making in the Elementary School,” and a lecture session, “Uke Can, I Can, We Can: Using the Ukulele to Create Community, Build Advocates and Foster Arts Integration” at the Mountain Lake Colloquium for Teachers of General Music Methods in May 2019. Dr. Ted Hoffman presented two research posters and a featured practices, programs and issues session at the 2019 Society for Music Teacher Education (SMTE) Symposium in September in Greensboro, North Carolina. Hoffman was the only music teacher educator from the state of Alabama accepted for the presentation.
PUBLICATIONS Drs. Becky Halliday and Ted Hoffman published an article titled “NAfME Professional Development eKit: A Blueprint for Georgia Music Educators” in the most recent issue of “Georgia Music News.” Dr. Eun-Hee Park collaborated with clarinetist Jonathan Holden of Florida State University on the CD album “Notes from Home — Music of the British Isles.”
Dr. Laurie Middaugh, department of music accompanist, was one of 13 staff pianists at the American Institute of Music Study (AIMS) in Graz, Austria, last summer. Faculty, staff, students and orchestra came from 39 countries. Middaugh has been invited to return next summer.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS Dr. David Callaghan, professor and department chair of theatre, presented a paper on the musical “Hair” at the August 2020 Association for Theatre in Higher Education conference. College of Fine Arts faculty presented various research projects and creative works at the Faculty Research and Teaching Symposium in October:
• Emily Gill: “Virtual Modeling and 3D Animation Applications for Teaching Costume Design”
• Dr. Becky Halliday: “Creating a Music Space for
Learning: An Evolving Patnership Between University and School”
Dr. Steve Peters, dean of the College of Fine Arts, partnered with Dr. Aldemaro Romero Jr., dean of the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences at Baruch College in New York, to co-edit a book published by the International Council of Fine Arts Deans (ICFAD). The book features 21st century creative collaboration practices in the arts. “Leonardo’s Children: Stories on Creativity by Fine Arts Leaders that will Blow Your Mind” is a collection of 13 articles by 19 authors from the United States and Europe. Continued on page 10
Department Spotlight continued from page 9 Dr. Bart Pitchford, assistant professor of theatre, submitted a chapter for upcoming book from Routledge Press, “Postmemory Nostalgia in Service of Internationally Induced Nationalism.” Scott Stephens, professor and department chair of art, is included in the new publication “Alabama Creates: 200 Years of Art and Artists,” edited by Elliot Knight of the Alabama State Council on the Arts and published by
The University of Alabama Press in recognition of Alabama’s Bicentennial. Noted Alabama College/University of Montevallo alum and faculty member, Virginia Barnes (1895-1984), is also included in the book. Dr. Tiffany Wang co-authored a chapter, “Becoming First in Family to Graduate from College: First Generation Students and Family Identity,” in “Casing the Family: Theoretical and Applied Approaches to Understanding Family Communication,” published by Kendall Hunt.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Rachel Anderson ’16 (B.A. COMS) is a National Guard satellite communication systems operator/ maintainer. Logan Anthony ’18 (B.M.) who studied voice with Dr. Charles Wood, is completing the Master of Music at the University of Oklahoma, and is appearing in the Opera’s production of “The Golden Cockerel” by Rimski-Korsakov. Rebecca Aparicio ’07 (BFA theatre) was associate director on two projects: “Evita” at the Encores Series/ City Center, New York City, and for renowned director Emily Mann, on her play “Gloria” (about Gloria Steinem) at the McCarter Theatre in New Jersey. Brandy Bajalia ’10 (BFA art) announced “Canopy” an installation of draping rosemary in Liberty Park at the World Trade Center in New York City. Lindsey Bristol ’12 (BFA theatre) co-wrote, produced and performed in an original web series about a summer stock theatre company, “this is B.S.,” filmed on location in New Hampshire. Dr. Ashley Burge ’08 (B.A. COMS, M.A.) earned her Ph.D. from The University of Alabama and is an assistant professor of English at Augustana College. Tahauny Cleghorn ’17 (BFA theatre) is performing across Alabama in the educational tour “Lady Liberty” and choreographing “A Year with Frog and Toad” with Birmingham Children’s Theatre. Carl Dean ’96 (BFA theatre; M.Ed.) continues as head of the Jefferson County Theatre and Dance Academy. Dominic DeVille ’17 (B.A. COMS) earned his M.S. in sports business management from The University of Alabama and is the TicketCity sales and service specialist. Katie Elsea ’14 (B.S. COMS) is Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham social media and event coordinator.
Jim Gibbs ’96 (BFA theatre) works as production stage manager at Red Mountain Theatre Company but took a fall leave to stage manage the legendary performer, Dame Edna’s, Australian tour. Jamie Haas ’19 (B.S. COMS) is Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens communications and marketing associate. Amos Hollinhead ’14 (B.A. MC) works as photojournalist at CBS 42. Kendra Johnson ’17 (BFA theatre) is performing for Norwegian Cruise Lines. Joshua Aaron Jones ’00 (B.M.) serves as visiting assistant clinical professor of legal communication and analysis at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, in Indianapolis. Mary Light ’19 (B.A. COMS/POS) is assistant account executive at Hokku PR in New York, NY. Maddie Rutledge ’17 (B.A. theatre) has returned to the Alabama Shakespeare Festival to work as production assistant. Eric Saninocencio ’03 (B.A. MC) is Atlantic Coast Conference’s associate commissioner of strategic digital media. Dr. Lindsey Sherrill ’07 (B.S. COMS, MBA) earned her Ph.D. from The University of Alabama and is assistant professor of business communication at the University of North Alabama. Melanie Thompson ’18 (B.M.) is the newest member the select vocal ensemble, Sursum Corda. Tyree Walker ’10 (BFA theatre) performed in a revival production of “A Raisin in the Sun” in New York city as Walter. Savannah Willard ’19 (B.S. COMS) is Volkswagen Group of America Corporate Communications intern in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
SENIOR Elite Madison Barakat coupled a communication studies major with a public relations minor. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, Lambda Pi Eta and is the acting social media representative for the Alabama Communication Association. She will graduate next fall.
Kendall Messer is a senior mass communication major and the student production manager. She uses her experience as a former intern at 97.7 Revocation Radio to advise her cousin on “Help Megan Adopt a Kidney,” a Facebook group for her cousin who is fighting kidney failure.
Jonathan Brewer also paired his communication studies major with public relations. He is a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the communication studies honorary society, as well as the UM Honors Program. Fun fact: both of his parents are UM alums.
Molly Mize is an exceptional student as a pianist and has been selected to perform in the past two Music Honors Recitals. She is president of the collegiate chapter of Music Teachers National Association. She also serves as featured pianist for the University Jazz Band.
Amber Hayes is a virtuoso BFA theatre artist who is always up for the next challenge. In fact, she is directing the 2020 Purple Side production. She currently works with a talent manager in New York and will be making the national acting audition rounds this spring.
Cheyanne Smith’s trajectory in art is impressive by any measure considering she has defied the odds as a first-generation college student, is a McNair scholar and an active undergraduate researcher. She is poised not only to graduate with honors, but with a remarkable portfolio.
Elaina McBride is a multifaceted music major who is gifted with a musical voice and a feel for piano performance. Her commitment to serving others through music extends to community service, too, as an active volunteer for events such as Hurricane Harvey Relief and Meals on Wheels.
Amy Summersett is an exemplary student in the Music Education Program. She is the principal trumpeter in the UM Wind Ensemble. She received multiple scholarships including the Honor Band Scholarship and the Department of Music’s highest honor — the Presser Scholar Award.
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