theatre & film

Our guests today are alums Shelby Grady and Gavin Fields, filmmakers and founders of the Lil Cowboy production company. They will be coming to the University of Mississippi March 6th and 7th to screen their recent film Brutal Season and host a filmmaking workshop. We talked about all that and so much more!

To see the Brutal Season  trailer, please visit: https://vimeo.com/722273848

And to learn more about the film: https://www.brutalseason.com/

For more information about Lil' Cowboy, please visit: https://www.lilcowboy.co/

Also, Shelby was previously featured in an article about some of our graduates who are doing interesting things:  https://news.olemiss.edu/choose-your-own-adventure-with-a-degree-in-theatre-arts/

In this episode, we're talking with guest director and professor Beth Reeves, who came to us from Columbus State University to direct our production of Naomi Iizuka's Polaroid Stories and teach a directing class and special workshop.

To learn more about Beth, please visit her website here: https://www.bethreevesartist.com/

For more about our production of Polaroid Stories, read our release about it here: https://news.olemiss.edu/polaroid-stories-tells-greek-myth-through-street-youth/

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

For tickets to Naomi Iizuka's Polaroid Stories, please visit our website here: http://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu/

And to learn more about guest director Beth Reeves, please see her website here: https://www.bethreevesartist.com/

For information on the Oxford Film Festival, see their site and schedule here: https://www.ox-film.com/

In this episode, we caught up with Joe Jackson, who is the Department of Theatre & Film's new Instructional Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Dance. Fun fact about Joe—he's actually an alum of our program! We talked about that, and what he's teaching, and so many other things.

More about Joe: http://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu/JoeJackson.html

In this episode, we're visiting with our assistant professor of movement for the actor, Lauren Bone Noble, who is here to tell us all about her solo show FURY!, which is an interpretation of the Greek myth of Medea told in the Bouffon clown style. Lauren had so many fascinating things to say about Medea, about clowning, and about her experiences performing this show. 

For more information about the show, check out Lauren's website: https://www.furytheshow.com/makingashow

As well as the show's Instagram: www.instagram.com/furytheshow

And here's the site for United Solo, where Lauren will be performing FURY! November 12-13: https://unitedsolo.org/the-13th-annual-united-solo-theatre-festival/

In this episode, we talk with Assistant Professor of Acting Dan Stearns, who is directing our upcoming production of "Into the Woods," which runs November 4-6 in Fulton Chapel.

For more information about the show and to get tickets, click here: https://olemissboxoffice.com/

As our fall 2021 semester comes to a close, here's a quick peek at what we having coming up in our spring 2022 season!

To learn more about our inaugural Emerging Women's Playwriting resident, click here: https://libarts.olemiss.edu/inaugural-playwriting-resident-to-work-this-summer-at-um/

To hear an interview with new faculty member Lindsay Rae Taylor, check out: https://stageandscreen.simplecast.com/episodes/lindsay-rae-taylor-assistant-professor-of-performance

For tickets and other information about our department and our spring 2022 season: http://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu/

Today we are talking with Donna Buckley, who is Instructional Associate Professor of Costume Technology, about the very exciting study abroad program she will be leading over May Intersession next year. It’s called “Exploring the Performance and Design of London Theatre,” is basically two weeks jam-packed with workshops, museum visits, performances, and other experiences. It’s open to students in any major and any year, and as we’ll hear from Donna while it is theatre-focused, it’s going to be a great program for students in many disciplines. 

To learn more about the program and to apply, visit the Study Abroad office website here: https://studyabroad.olemiss.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=12119

For more information about Donna Buckley, see her bio on the Theatre & Film site: http://theatreandfilm.olemiss.edu/DonnaBuckley.html

(If you'd like to contact Donna with specific questions about the program, her e-mail address can  be found in her bio at the link above.)

And here are just a few of the experiences included in this immersive, two-week study abroad program (check out the study abroad office site for the full listing!): 

The Globe Theatre: https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

The National Theatre: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/

The Victorian & Albert Museum: https://www.vam.ac.uk/

Warner Brothers Studio Tour: The Making of Harry Potter: 

ITV Studios: https://www.itv.com/

In this episode, we're catching up with new faculty member Annalise V. Caudle, who is an instructional assistant professor of lighting design. Annalise joined our department in the fall of 2021 and jumped in with both feet designing our huge production of LEGALLY BLONDE. In addition to teaching, she'll be creating lighting designs for our upcoming spring-semester shows, HAZEL—an original work created through our new Emerging Women's Playwriting fellowship, more on that later—and ROMEO & JULIET. 

To learn more about Annalise and her work, check out her website here: https://www.annalisecaudle.com/

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

Lauren Bone Noble, assistant professor of movement for the actor, talks about "Dreaming Green," our part in the global event Climate Change Theatre Action 2021.

For more information about Climate Change Theatre Action, please visit: http://www.climatechangetheatreaction.com/

To learn more about the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council's Goodnight Market, visit: https://oxfordarts.com/shop/event-tickets/product/3454-dreaming-green-at-the-goodnight-market

We talked about a piece of devised theater called "Near/Far" that Lauren directed and created with our students last fall; if you haven't seen "Near/Far," you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/TAYcLtW8rX8

Also, if you missed our previous interview with Lauren, check it out here: https://stageandscreen.simplecast.com/episodes/the-poetic-body-with-lauren-bone-noble-assistant-professor-of-movement-for-the-actor

In this episode we chat with new faculty member Lindsay Rae Taylor, who joined our department as Assistant Professor of Performance in the fall of 2021. Lindsay talks about her background, her areas of specialization, and the work she'll be doing for our department—including directing Romeo and Juliet for our spring season, which we'll talk more about with her in a future episode.

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

Elena Ontiveros graduated from our program in 2018 with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a BA in Music. Since then, she's built a very interesting caree—a mix of performance (both on stage and onscreen), teaching, and makeup design, all using a variety of skills she acquired during her time at UM. This is an excellent episode for anyone thinking about a career in theatre and film, because Elena does a wonderful job of explaining the many opportunities in our program and how to make the most of them.

To see some of Elena's work, check out her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emontive/

Also, here's the trailer for her upcoming film Dark Entities, which is slated to come out in fall 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS5jb7chlDw

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

Madison Morrow graduated from the University of Mississippi with dual degrees in theatre arts and general business—in the spring of 2020, when the global COVID-19 pandemic was upending everyone's post-graduation plans. Fast forward a little over a year, and Madison has just finished the first year of a master's program in arts management at Carnegie Mellon University.

During this episode, Madison mentioned what a great time she had as assistant director for Chicago. And though Madison most often found herself in the role of stage manager for our productions, she also took a turn as scenic designer for The Wolves, which you can read about here: https://news.olemiss.edu/wolves-delivers-adolescent-reality-soccer/

Madison also mentioned the important role competing in pageants has played in her life—despite the fact that she got into them only recently and somewhat on a whim. Follow along on her journey as Miss Moraine State here: https://www.instagram.com/missmorainestatepa/

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

In this episode, we caught up with costume designer and BFA alum John Polles. John is currently working with the Santa Fe Opera, and he has also recently worked with the Julliard School and Baltimore Center Stage.

John and I talked a lot about his work on Mr. Burns: A Post-Electric Play, so here is a link where you can see all of his designs for that show: https://www.flickr.com/photos/olemisstheatre/albums/72157706832283355

And if you're curious about that show in general: https://news.olemiss.edu/mr-burns-examines-importance-stories-everyday-life/

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm.

Today we're catching up with Allie Downs, who graduated from our program in 2019 with a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, Emphasis in Design and Production focusing on costume design. Allie currently owns her own alterations business, which has given her the opportunity to tailor some pretty special garments—some of which you might have even seen on TV! We talked about fashion, costume design, and all things clothing.

During this episode, Allie and I talked a lot about her work on our fall 2019 production of Little Women, which was presented in the Ford Center for the Performing Arts. To learn more about that show and get a taste of Allie's designs, check out this feature story on the musical: https://news.olemiss.edu/ole-miss-theatre-brings-little-women-big-stage/

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

In this episode we talked with another recent graduate, Elizabeth Burrow of Pascagoula, who just received her BFA in Theatre Arts with an emphasis in Musical Theatre. Elizabeth's story is pretty interesting because it opens with a twist: She had originally come to college with a totally different career path firmly in mind, but within a semester had decided to pursue her love of performing.

Over the course of the episode, we discussed a couple of things that might benefit from further explanation.

First, Ole Miss Student Dance or OMSD is, like it sounds, a student-run dance organization that students from every part of the university (and of course, many from our department) participate in. We have many dance classes within our program, and this is a way for dancers to be even more involved. 

Also, Elizabeth talked about her experience choreographing our spring production of Urinetown, and there were references to it being "virtual" and "remote." In order to stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, rehearsals were conducted distanced and with masks, and then for the actual performance, each actor was filmed individually so they could perform without masks, and everything was edited together to make it appear as if they were all sharing the stage. It was quite something! You can learn more about the show and how it was done here: https://news.olemiss.edu/musical-theater-and-film-blend-to-take-audiences-to-satirical-dystopia/

As ever, the Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

In a continuation of our series of interviews with graduating seniors, today's episode features Catherine Long, a recent BFA graduate from our Acting for Stage & Screen program.

The Georgia native knew early on in high school that she wanted to come to the University of Mississippi and study theater, but she didn't know how much she'd excel as a performer or that she'd discover a talent for comedy. Along the way, she developed a passion for diversity and inclusion, accessibility, and community engagement.

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm.

Continuing our series highlighting graduating seniors, this episode features Gregor Patti and Keeton Landfair, who have an interesting perspective because they went to high school together and have now been through our BFA Acting for Stage & Screen program together.

Gregor and Keeton talk about why they came to the University of Mississippi, life and theatre in a pandemic, perks of the program, and more.

In the fall 2020 semester, Gregor helped to develop and performed in an original work of devised theatre called Near/Far, which you can watch here: https://youtu.be/TAYcLtW8rX8

Gregor and Keeton both recently appeared in our innovative theatre-meets-film production of Urinetown, and you can see them in our trailer here: https://youtu.be/O8l-V3wk6Vw

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm

Our guest today is graduating senior Gianna Schuetz, a Huntsville, Alabama native who came to the university to pursue a complicated dual degree in Managerial Finance and Theatre Arts. Along the way she got involved in just about everything she could—including nearly every departmental production, student government, and our student theatre organization, Ghostlight Repertory Theatre.

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit  https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm.

Today's guest is Micah-Shane Brewer, assistant professor of musical theatre and director of our spring-season production of Urinetown: The Musical, which will be available for streaming April 9-11. Micah-Shane discusses the enduring relevance of this show, as well as the ins and outs of directing a large-scale musical during a time when safety prevents a large cast from sharing the stage.

To learn more about Micah-Shane and his career, please visit his website: https://www.micahshanebrewer.com/

If you like to sing along to musicals, watching at home means you can do so without annoying a theater full of people! Brush up on the lyrics with the original Broadway cast recording here: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Gckm2aWdGEXhVco2dklC6

The Department of Theatre & Film is grateful for its patrons and corporate sponsors. As a department we are committed to the high quality instruction that our students receive. Investing in the students’ education and these quality productions helps us move toward our common goal of graduating successful, creative adults who are lifelong learners. If you are interested in contributing to these efforts, please visit: https://umfoundation.givingfuel.com/theatreandfilm