Newspapers / The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.) / Feb. 3, 2012, edition 1 / Page 8
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FEATURES % Student talent "Showcased" by singers, actors, and more WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM THEATRE STUDIES PRESENTS STUDENT SHOWCASE ON FEB. 3 AT 8 RM. STERNBERGER AUDITORIUM By Chassidy Crump Staff Writer The cast of "Showcase" takes the Guilford stage with an innovative production that explores a range of talents and evokes a spectrum of emotions — and that was only the rehearsal. "Showcase" is a compilation of performance pieces ranging from scripted work to original material that includes song, dance, film and acting. "We want it to feel more like an open mic night at a coffeehouse than a formal performance in a theater," said junior Lizzie Fistel, "Showcase" publicist. "Showcase" does seem like a coffeehouse performance, with the lights dimmed and each act introducing something unexpected. Some are new, and some you may have seen before, either in previous Guilford Theatre performances or around campus, such as senior Marcus EdghilTs performance of the song "The Ladies Who Lunch" and the preview for first-year Noelle Lane's documentary "Not All Roads Lead to Home." "That's one of the really exciting things about 'Showcase,'" said Part Time Lecturer in Theatre Studies and "Showcase" director Marc Williams. "There's a huge variety." The performances include personal monologues — both scripted and original — enticing musical numbers and self- choreographed dances, to name a few. "I'm doing a monologue which I performed in 'Standing on Ceremony' earlier last semester," said first-year Ian Sweet, "Showcase" performer. "It's a whole play within itself, but it's just me doing a eulogy about my dead lover — who happens to be gay." Unlike a typical production you might see in Sternberger Auditorium, the students on stage perform acts they have chosen. "We wanted to provide a venue for our students to further develop their own work in terms of a project that they were really interested in," said Williams. "We've turned the tables on our students and said, 'What do you want to share with us? What do you want to do?"' The acts include films, dances, songs, monologues and scenes. Each piece is unrelated to the ones before and after, but all showcase the talent of Guilford students. "There's nothing that unifies these pieces," said Williams. "Everyone is going to hop up and take their turn, then sit down and celebrate what they've done. That's what 'Showcase' is." The Theatre Studies Department began talking about and conceptualizing "Showcase" in Spring 2011. Eventually that discussion yielded the idea for a laid-back evening with various talents. "We're drawing from the idea of a cabaret, a coffee house, vaudeville," said Williams. "It's the idea that each person gets their turn, each person has a certain amount of time that's allotted to them and they're using it to showcase what they do best." According to Williams, the department told the students about "Showcase" last fall, but most of the auditions took place this semester. "Because we were waiting ... to see what (our students) brought us, I haven't really known what 'Showcase' was going to be until about two or three weeks ago," said Williams. The ingenuity of "Showcase" brought unique issues and challenges to the table. Senior Emily Stewart, first-time stage manager, had to take on her managing role while also learning the ins and outs of a new type of production. "It is very different from managing a large production," said Stewart. "In most large productions, you have one script that goes from start to finish. In this one, everybody has their own (script), so I have 14 different scripts. ... Charlotte (Cloyd) is just dancing, so her script is a list of the moves that she does and when she does them along with her music." The production is an opportunity to show how wide the range of talent spans on Guilford campus, for both the audience and the performers. "It's nice to see all aspects of the Theatre Department," said Sweet. "Because I'm partial to acting, I don't really get to see much of the dance or some of the films. ... It's nice to see everything in one coherent show and be reminded that everything that we do in this show is performance art." rQ,#. "We've turned the tables on our students and said, 'What do you want to share with us? Whot do you want to do?"' Marc Williams, part- time lecturer in theatre studies lo i First-year Noelle Lane practices her skit during a rehearsal for the premiere of Guilford's "Showcase" sponsored by the Theatre Studies Department. It takes place on Friday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. In Williams' opinion, "Showcase" is an exciting opportunity for students to share their talents and revel in what they have done — with the added bonus of free admission and a reception to follow. "It's a celebration as much as it is a performance," said Williams. "We're throwing a little party, so we want people to come." Life after Builfdrd: Gearing up for the post-graduation job search Megan Corkery, coordinator of internships and career counselor, helps students find internships and begin their job search. The Career Development Center is a resource for current and past Guilford students looking for career advice. By Michael MacVane Staff Writer Imagine that you have just graduated and received your diploma. The questions on most minds after all the excitement of graduation are: Where am I going to work? What jobs are there for me? What can I do with the major that I just received? The key to getting a job after college is to be prepared before you graduate. The toughest part is knowing where to begin. Guilford's Career Development Center, in King Hall, can help. "We like for our students to go by our four-year plan," said Coordinator of Internships and Career Counselor Megan Corkery. The four-year plan begins in the first year with a visit to the CDC to talk about possible majors. The CDC also offers a class called Major Exploration, where they help you find out your major and your strengths and weaknesses. "We also do assessments ... such as the Myers Briggs test, which asks (students) specific questions about their interests, abilities and values," said Corkery. According to senior Kieran Brackbill, who works as an office assistant for the CDC, evaluations such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey are used to help students find out their skill set based on their personalities. Students use this information in determining a career path. Sophomore year is the time to get involved on campus. The CDC encourages students to engage in educational opportunities such as internships, study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning and student leadership. Junior year is the time for resume building, internships and continuing involvement in the community and on Guilford's campus. "We like to see (students) keep building their resume," said Corkery. "We want them to keep doing internships to get their foot in the door, to do a lot of networking and even get a mentor out of it. The big thing junior year is to get your resume almost complete and to start thinking about jobs or graduate school after college." Junior Tyler Class visited the CDC to get input on his resume. "We went over what the most important aspects of a resume are," said Class. "I needed to categorize my resume and also to add more volunteer experience within my fields of interest." According to Brackbill, it is important to start looking at jobs or internships that reinforce your career plans even before you graduate. Though Brackbill has been working at the CDC for two years, he does not necessarily think that having a job is the best way to get career experience. "Once you hit junior and senior year, it is time to start looking for internships that fill your needs," said Brackbill. "Having a job depends on your major and the amount of time you have, but internships are definitely worth doing." If you have been following the four-year plan, you should be completely ready to graduate your senior year with a resume and some work or volunteer experience. "The fourth year we hope to be working a lot with (students) on their resumes and job search," said Corkery. "We will help them do mock interviews, where they come in and do a fake interview with us, and we give them feedback about how they spoke and tell them how to dress as well." "If you're looking for an internship or a job, it's worth stopping by the (CDC)," said Brackbill. "Even if they can't find you a job right away, they can give you the skills you need to find a job on your own."
The Guilfordian (Greensboro, N.C.)
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