FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWS SUMMER 2016

SUMMER 2016FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSHotels for Festival 2016The following hotels have rooms blocked at special rates for FTC members. When making reservations, please be sureto use the appropriate ‘Group Code’ to ensure you get the FTC Conference rate. Most of the rooms can accommodate upto four people per room. In most cases to receive the FTC Conference rate savings, you will need to call the reservationsnumber directly unless noted otherwise.Florida Theatre Conference is NOT providing courtesy bus service for our festival attendees.DoubleTree by Hilton (formerly The Lodge ofGainesville) PRIMARY HOST HOTELBeautiful rooms, complimentary deluxe continentalbreakfast and complimentary reception each evening,When you enter the hotel you are greeted by an oversized stone fireplace set in the center of our beautifulatrium lobby.3726 SW 40th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida, 32608Reservations: 352-375-2400, 800-843-8735 ask forMegan Eckdahl in Group SaleGroup Code: Florida Theatre ConferenceWebsite: lodgeatgainesville.com 130/Night double or king. Includes up to four complimentary deluxe continental breakfast vouchers perroom.Comfort Inn UniversityConveniently located off Gainesville’s restaurant- andshop-filled Archer Road. All rooms equipped with wonderful wet bar, microwave and refrigerator, HDTV, coffeemaker, and digital in-room safe. Outdoor swimming pool,indoor fitness center, guest laundry, FREE Hi Speed WiFi throughout the hotel, and fresh baked cookies everyevening.3440 SW 40th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida, 32608Reservations: (352) 264-1771. Website: comfortinn.comGroup Code: 1768394 104.99/Night (Kings Only) Includes complimentarydeluxe continental breakfastBaymont Inn and SuitesFriendly hospitality for travelers of every kind! We’repleased to offer you an updated, fully smoke-freehotel with outdoor pool, fitness room and businesscenter. Free Wi-Fi in the rooms and all public areas.Laundry facility and pet-friendly. Home-style complimentary hot breakfast buffet.6901 NW 4th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32607Reservations: (352)332-8292Group Code: Florida Theatre Conference or CGFTC6Website: baymontinns.comInside rooms 79/King, 89/Double per nightOutside rooms 69/King, 79/Double per nightIncludes complimentary breakfastBest Western/Gateway Grand HotelPerfectly located by Santa Fe College. Our hotel has152 spacious guest rooms and suites, 24-hour complimentary coffee and newspaper, Wi-Fi throughout thehotel, meeting rooms and business center to keep youconnected. On-site massage therapist, fitness center,beautiful pool and relaxing hot tub.4200 NW 97th Boulevard, Gainesville, FL 32606Reservations: (877) 464-2378, or (352) 331-3336Group Code:Florida Theatre Conference 81GWebsite: gatewaygrand.com 114/Double or 120/King per nightIncludes complimentary deluxe continental breakfastRed Roof PLUS GainesvilleFree WiFi, rest suite bed by Serta, plush high-endbedding, modern design flooring, comfortable newseating and a large, flat-screen TV. Outdoor pool,3500 SW 42nd Street, Gainesville, Florida, 32608Reservations:1-800-733-7663 and use the CODE belowGroup Code: B257FTC016 Website: redroof.com 69.99/Double 75.99/KingComplimentary coffee/tea in lobby.The SpringHill Suites by Marriott GainesvilleSituated in the heart of Gainesville. FREE Wi-Fi,mini-fridge, microwave and wet bar in every suite. Fitness Center and Outdoor Pool.4155 SW 40th Boulevard, Gainesville, Florida, 32608Reservations: 352-376-8873Group Code: Florida Theatre Conference FTCSWebsite: marriott.com 119/Night Includes complimentary hot breakfastcontinued on next page4

FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSSUMMER 2016Hotels for Festival 2016continuedCountry Inn and Suites GainesvilleConvenient to Fred Bear Museum and KanapahaBotanical Gardens, Samuel P. Harn Museum of Artand Curtis M. Phillips Center. Indoor pool, spa tub, 24hour fitness center, conference space and meeting room.Free self parking.4015 SW 43rd St. Gainesville, FL 32608Reservations: 1-352-375-1550Group Code FTC727Website: www.countryinns.com/ 113.90/night for Double or KingIncludes complimentary hot breakfast and Wi-FiApply for Scholarships through SETCGo to www.setc.org for complete information and applications.DENISE HALBACH AWARDA 2,000 award given to a student who has completed undergraduate work at a regionally accredited institution within the SETC region, pursuing agraduate degree in acting or musical theatre performance at a regionally accredited college or university. Deadline: April 30LEIGHTON M. BALLEW DIRECTINGAWARDA 3,300 award given to a student studying directing at a regionally accredited graduate school. Awardwinner also receives complimentary conventionregistration and membership, a three night hotel stayduring convention and a ticket for the banquet galaduring which the winner will be recognized. Deadline:Sept. 22MARIAN A. SMITH COSTUME AWARDA 1,500 award given to a student pursuing a degreein costume design and/or technology at a regionallyaccredited college or university. Deadline: Jan. 21POLLY HOLLIDAY AWARDA 1,000 award given to a student pursuing a graduate degree in costume design and/or technology ata regionally accredited college or university. Awardwinner also receives a three night hotel stay atconvention, convention registration and membershipand a ticket for the banquet gala during which thewinner will be recognized. Deadline: Jan. 21ROBERT PORTERFIELD AWARDA 2,500 award given to a student entering or attending a regionally accredited graduate school tostudy theatre. Award winner also receives complimentary convention registration and membership,a three night hotel stay during convention and aticket for the banquet gala during which the winnerwill be recognized. Deadline: Sept. 15SECONDARY SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPA 1,000 award given to a high school student onentering a regionally accredited college or university in the SETC region to major in theatre. Awardwinner also receives complimentary conventionregistration and membership, a three night hotelstay during convention and a ticket for the banquetgala during which the winner will be recognized.Deadline: Jan. 15TOM BEHM AWARDA 1,000 award presented to an individual forprofessional development in the Theatre for Youthfield. Award winner also receives membership toSETC and complimentary registrations for theconvention and the Teachers Institute. Deadline:Jan. 15WILLIAM E. WILSON AWARDA 5,000 award given to a secondary schooleducator pursuing a graduate degree in theatreor speech and theatre in a regionally accreditedgraduate program. Deadline: Jan. 155

SUMMER 2016FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSFTC Report on SETC Conventionheld recently in Greensboro, NCActors’ Warehouse earned the following honorsat SETC’s Community Theatre Festival with theirproduction of Tshepang; Best Play; Best Actor Steven Butler; Best Actress - Mandissa Harhoff; andBest Director- Jan Cohen. Congratulations!Congratulations to RhondaWilson and the Star Center Children's Theatre of Gainesville, FL,who presented Four Little Girls:Birmingham 1963 at the Southeastern Theatre Conference FringeFestival. Well done!Congratulations to the BookerHigh School Visual and Performing Arts students for their perforH. Scott Keyesmance inSETC’sOne-Act Play Festival. Theirproduction of The AppleTree: PASSIONELLA earnedthe following awards: BestVocals; Best Choreography;and an All Star Cast Awardto Savannah Sinclair (Ella/Passionella). This presentation was directed by H. ScottKeys.L to R: Jan Cohen, Steven Butler, Mandissa HarhoffCongratulations also to the Dr. Phillips HighSchool Theatre Department for their awards atSETC’s One-Act Play Festival. Best Actress - HayleyShipley; All Star Cast - Sabrina Michaels and OliverDavids; and Best Director - Roberta Emerson.Thanks to all of you from your FTC family!Savannnah SinclairSAVE THE DATE! March 1-5, 2017Southeastern Theatre Conference in Lexington, Kentucky2nd Annual State 10 MinutePlay FestivalCalling all Florida State College Theatre Programs.the Florida Theatre Conference is seekingto expand the College 10 Minute Play Festival for2016. Each participating school may bring up to 10minutes of material to Showcase their school talentson Thursday evening, November 3, 2016. The PlayFestival will be held in the E Building Auditoriumon the Santa Fe College Campus. Share your theatreprogram with all of the FTC members attending theannual Florida Theatre Conference- November 2-5,2016! Be A Part of The Magic! Contact Terry Klenk atterry.klenk@sfcollege.edu orBaylessS727@aol.com.6

FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSSUMMER 2016FTC at Junior Thespian FestivalBY SARA SKINNER-PROBST— The JuniorThespians have done it again! The Junior ThespiansState Festival was held at Lake Howell High Schoolthis past February. Students from all over the state ofFlorida gathered to share their talent, joy, and love oftheatre. The students competed in a One-Act Festivaland individual events in both performance and technical theatre.The festival started with the One-Act performancesand ended with the individual events on Saturday. TheOne Act plays that were performed at the festival werethe best of the best from each district. Students wereable to watch their peers perform in modern and classical works of theatre.On Saturday the whole campus was abuzz withenergy as students, troupe leaders, and chaperones ranfrom one individual event to another. Students received feedback and awards from judges and watchedstudents from all over Florida perform. Julie Scarborough, a Theatre teacher at Gotha Middle Schoolstated: “This was our first year participating in theJunior Thespians Festival. My students had a wonderful time and enjoyed watching others perform aswell as participating in the events themselves. It wasa special bonding time for all of us.”The students also got a special surprise when Vinestar and local actor Thomas Sanders came to share inthe fun! Sanders watched some events, conducted aworkshop, and even stayed for a meet and greet withthe students!The Festival was a huge hit and the students can’twait for next year.2016 FTC Theatre for Youth FestivalBY ELIZABETH BRENDEL HORN— TheTheatre for Youth Festival will take place Saturday,November 5, 2016. The number of selected performance groups is limited, and are reserved on a firstcome, first served basis. Please note that if you arepresenting a published piece, we will need a copyof your licensing agreement sent with your registration forms (It can be uploaded, mailed, or broughtto the festival). The festival is an exceptional dayof entertaining, thought-provoking, and energeticplays and musicals featuring elementary, middle, andhigh school performing arts groups, as well as adultgroups, performing for young audiences. Completethe experience by attending workshops in acting,voice, stage combat and more. All workshops areopen to all ages. The deadline for those interested inpresenting a production is October 1st. Here are moredetails: Multitude of plays to watchAwards given in multiple categoriesProfessional Respondents give positive feedbackThe forms needed to register and participatein the Theatre for Youth Festival are on the FloridaTheatre Conference website: www.flatheatre.org;click on Theatre for Youth under Divisions. In addition to the Festival you must also register your actorsand staff for the Conference. Additional information,such as hotel lists, maps, College Fair information,and more can also be found on our site.If you are unable to present a festival production, please consider joining us in Gainesville bybringing a group of students to the conference.Participation in workshops and observing productions from other areas of theatre provides a beneficial learning experience to all who attend. Feelfree to contact me at 407-823-2183 or by email atElizabeth.Horn@ucf.edu. To stay connected to FTCthroughout the year, please forward your email address to join our e-blast group, and stay in touch viaFacebook by liking "Florida Theatre Conference."Theatre for Youth FestivalTime limit: 45 minutesSaturday, November 5 performancePublished play or devised/original workDeadline for registration: October 1Over 65 workshops available7

SUMMER 2016FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWS“Be Bold And Courageous”By Peggy S. Pigg, Actor’s Workshopexploration into what it means to be human and, inturn, bring this to their character and storytelling.In turn, I have seen this in my non-teaching life –a random act of kindness, a note of thanks, a friend’stouch, and a call from an acquaintance to see how Iam doing at a challenging time. Touching my heart,soul and mind with generosity, kindness and love.Boldness and courage comes in many forms. Whether on or off the stage, we are better people when westep out of our comfort zone, get off the couch, moveout of resignation into participation and connect withothers.As in any profession or hobby, there are actorswho act on instinct and their love of being in a storyand there are actors who are artists who have lookedbeyond the surface of their part and understand andlive the life of the person they portray. To be an artistis bold and courageous. Stepping outside of yourcomfort zone to really examine life – your life andthe lives of the people around you is bold and courageous whether you are on the stage or off. Introspection and extrospection is under appreciated by some.Actors as artists are part anthropologist, psychologistand explorers of the human condition.I invite you to step out of your comfort zoneinto a safe place and come join me at the Actor’sWorkshop, or any theatre educational organizationthroughout Florida – where we restore the world towholeness by connecting with each other.“When we seek connection, we restore theworld to wholeness. Ourseemingly separate livesbecome meaningful as wediscover how truly necessary we are to each other,”Margaret Wheatley.Connecting with eachother is fundamental toPeggy Piggliving, thriving and enjoying life. I found my connection to people and theworld around me through acting. Telling stories of ourlives, situations – of our hope and dreams – is whatactors do.Actors show people as they are in all their glory.How well an actor tells another person’s story is determined by how well the actor can connect with otherpeople. This is where being bold and courageouscomes into play. People expressing themselves fullyand completely in order to connect with other peopleis powerful, engaging and inspiring. This is acting andthis is life.I teach acting but I could also be called a storyteacher, a people teacher, a life teacher for we re-createlife on stage, in the movies and on TV - reflecting ourlove, joy, kindness, despair, horrors, heartaches, hopeand possibilities.As an acting teacher, I have been touched, honoredand amazed at the depth and breadth of some actor’sThis article was reprinted by permission of Spotlight MagazineFTC Scholarships forHigh School SeniorsThe Florida Theatre Conference is committed to supporting the continuing arts education of the youth ofFlorida. FTC will again give two 1,000 scholarshipsto deserving high school seniors who must attendcollege in the state of Florida. Students and teachersinterested in these scholarships can find the forms onour website, www.flatheatre.org, on the secondaryschool tab. We will announce the winners of theFran Walker and the Vern Bryant Scholarships at theclosing ceremonies of our annual Festival.8

FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSSUMMER 2016“Tips for Successful Online/Video Auditions”By Earl D. Weaver, Artistic Director, Theatre UCFMore and more universities, colleges, and professionalcompanies are utilizing onlineaudition sites. For universities and colleges the onlineprogram is known as Acceptd(www.getacceptd.com). Students are highly encouraged tocheck the websites of universities and colleges they wish toattend to see if an online submission program is beingused and in what capacity.It is important to double check what each schoolrequires with regard to audition pieces (i.e., length ofaudition pieces, picture and resume, letters of recommendation, and other support documents, includingtranscripts for students with dual-enrollment credits orAssociate Arts degrees). Here are some tips to helpstudents be more successful with their online auditions. Research websites to see which schools mightbe a good fit for you. Be fully aware of school application policiesand deadlines, including Financial Aid materials. Apply as early as possible to schools, since new admission selections may finish before the department’sindividual auditions. Check the school’s Theatre Department policies and deadlines for online video auditions. Have a minimum of five people who will agreeto provide letters of recommendation for you. Mostschools require at least three. It’s good to have extras,in case something happens and one of your referencescannot meet a deadline. Make sure your school will provide electroniccopies of your transcript, if requested. Make sure you have a current photo andtheatre resume which focuses on your strengths for theprogram(s) for which you have applied. Performersshould emphasize performance work; designers andstage managers should detail different talents in each ofexpertise. Never use a business resume. Keep your audition material within requiredtime limit - include only pieces requested by the school. Seek help with selecting audition material(performers) and/or guidance for developing your portfolio (design tech and stage management). Successfulstudents are those who seek advice and coachingfrom adult mentors – drama teachers, professionaldirectors, voice teachers, choreographers, technicaldirectors, etc. Seek help with recording your audition/interview. Don’t cut and splice video for audition piece. Make sure your videos and supporting materials have the correct university or college name onthem when you submit them, especially if you areauditioning for multiple schools Meet all deadlines!! It says a lot about youto people viewing your materials online if you door don’t meet their deadlines. If students can’t meetonline deadlines, will they be reliable students in auniversity theatre program? Make sure your contact information is current on your resume, especially e-mail and phonenumbers, preferably a cell phone number. Check your e-mail regularly for correspondence from schools and be punctual in responding.Check your “Spam” or “Junk” folder. Don’t use relatives for recommendations. Don’t record your video submission in yourbedroom. If that is the only space you have availableto use, then CLEAN YOUR ROOM! Don’t sing a cappella! ALWAYS use an accompanist, if possible. Recorded music is an acceptable alternative, but it does not show schools howwell you can collaborate with a pianist in an auditionand/or performance situation. Don’t use your phone to film your auditionpackage. Don’t use film clips from recordings of yourhigh school shows as your audition or any otherrecordings of your performance work. Don’t videotape yourself dancing in any partof your house. Get into a rehearsal or dance studio tofilm your work.With the utilization of new online technologiesby university and college programs, students arefaced with even more challenges in the application/audition process. However, if students completethorough research and prepare effectively, hopefullythey will find their mailboxes, electronic and otherwise, with multiple congratulatory letters invitingthem to join a university or college program.9

SUMMER 2016FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWSFTC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016–2018PRESIDENTGary CadwalladerDirector of Education &C

SUMMER 2016 FLORIDA THEATRE CONFERENCE NEWS 2 Festival 2016, continued from page 1 continued on page 16 Festival, the High School One-Act Play Festival, the Middle School Play Festival, the Theatre for Youth Festival Showcase, the Inclusion Festival, and the Dra-Mature S