Delta State University is gearing up for the Mississippi Summer Arts Institute
2000, which will be held on campus beginning in June.
The program is a presentation of the Janice Wyatt Summer Arts Institute named for the wife of long-time DSU president emeritus, Dr. Kent Wyatt. Mrs. Wyatt has been diligent in her support of arts education and was instrumental in making the Bologna Performing Arts Center a reality five years ago. This state of the art facility has made it possible for Cleveland to
host numerous Broadway shows, and concerts such as the National Symphony Orchestra, world-class dance performances, and speakers such as William F. Buckley and Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.
The Summer Arts Institute began in 1998, as an endeavor to promote and nourish an interest in the arts in children ages 12 to 18. The program focuses on music, dance, theatre, visual and literary arts, and offers a flexible schedule allowing students to participate in three different programs from one to four weeks depending on their interests.
Since its inception the Institute has grown and changed, becoming more diverse in its course offerings while focusing on technique and craft with a polished final presentation. Last year the Mississippi State Legislature voted to fund the Summer Arts program, which is open to students statewide.
Mandatory auditions were held in various places statewide in in March and April, and according to Bridgette Sudbrink, Arts Education Coordinator at BPAC, they are expecting an outstanding group this year.
“We have over 80 students coming this year from all over Mississippi, and the Arkansas and Tennessee borders,” says Sudbrink.
From June 4 - 11, students will have the opportunity to participate in the Intense Dance program, with Philadanco, the world renowned contemporary dance company. Students will work with Philadanco members, as well as Martha Connerton, Board Member of the North Carolina Dance Alliance and Kyle Shwell, a Winthrop University dance student and full-time jazz
instructor at the School of Gaston Dance Theatre. Students will be a part of their public BPAC performance, featuring a special choreographed piece for the Summer Arts Program.
The Core Arts 2000 program, June 11 - 24, consists of two all day action packed weekend of music, dance, theatre, visual and literary arts. The lead theatre faculty member is Cecelia Riddett who has appeared on The Young and the Restless, As The World Turns and over eighty television commercials. Kimberly Broadwater, Coordinator of Choral Activities from DSU is
teaching beginning and advanced vocal technique. Students may choose to participate only in these two weeks or it may be added on to the Intense Dance week.
From June 11 - July 1 is the Broadway Musical program. This year’s musical is “Little Shop of Horrors” under the direction of Artistic Director, Victor Maog. He was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Enrichment from President Clinton for the Theatre Arts Project of San Joaquin County in California where he served as Artistic Director. These three weeks will be devoted to choreography, acting, voice and set design to prepare for finale performances June 30 and July 1. Students who select this program may also participate in the Core Arts curriculum as available. Instructors for the Institute will be draw from DSU faculty as well as industry artists from the entire country. Nationally acclaimed artists, such as Academy Award nominee Morgan Freeman, have participated in years past.
Daily classes meet from 8:30 am to 4:45 pm with expanded course offerings in Music, Dance, Theatre, Visual and Literary Arts with new additions in theatre such as directing, soap operas, and the “casting process” Students have the opportunity to shape their schedules to reflect their interests. Evenings and weekends are filled with recreational activities, individual studio performances, and rehearsals.
“This is a remarkable chance for any young person who has an interest in the business of the arts, to be exposed and taught by high caliber professionals in these areas,” says Sudbrink. “It is a dynamic and fun learning experience. We’ve been thrilled to see this program expand and are thankful to the Legislature for its funding and access now provided for Mississippi
youth.”
For more information about the Summer Arts Institute contact Bridgette Sudbrink at the Bologna Performing Arts Center, 662-846-4844 or e-mail bsudbrnk@dsu.deltast.edu.