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Southeastern students meet employers at Career Fair
 MAKING A CONNECTION - Logan Dykes, an engineering technology major from Denham Springs, right, shakes
hands with a representative of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory after speaking with
him about employment opportunities with the agency at Southeastern’s annual career
fair for senior students and alumni held Thursday (Sept. 15). More than 130 employers
participated in the event designed to link students with regional and national employers
and graduate schools.
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Cast chosen for Southeastern Opera/Music Theatre Workshop's A Little Night Music
Southeastern’s Opera/Music Theatre Workshop will present the Broadway musical, A Little Night Music on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 29 and 30. Scheduled at 7:30 p.m., at the Columbia
Theatre for the Performing Arts in downtown Hammond, the performance is part of Fanfare,
the university’s annual fall festival for the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Set in 1900 Sweden, A Little Night Music explores the tangled web of affairs centered around actress Desirée Armfeldt and
the men who love her: a lawyer by the name of Fredrik Egerman and the Count Carl-Magnus
Malcom, explained Charles Effler, director of the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop. When
the traveling actress performs in Fredrik’s town, the estranged lovers’ passion is
rekindled. This strikes a flurry of jealousy and suspicion between Desirée; Fredrik;
Fredrick’s wife, Anne; Desirée’s current lover, the Count; and the Count’s wife, Charlotte.
Both men – as well as their jealous wives – agree to join Desirée and her family for
a weekend in the country at Desirée’s mother’s estate. With everyone in one place,
infinite possibilities of new romances and second chances bring endless surprises.
“One of Sondheim’s musical innovations in this show is the use of five singers
as a sort of Greek chorus (called the Liebeslieders). Like the Greek chorus from classical
Greek tragedy, these singers comment on the dramatic actions of the play, but with
song instead of the spoken word,” Effler said.
“Also, the traditional orchestral overture, highlighting tunes from the show,
is augmented with this group of singers; there are still tunes from the show, but
they are now presented with the lyrics,” he added. “In another innovation, Sondheim
draws inspiration from opera -- three characters all sing three different solo songs
with completely different moods and melodies. Sondheim then combines them seamlessly
into a gorgeous trio.”
A Little Night Music is full of hilarious, witty and heartbreaking moments of adoration, regret and desire,
and contains Sondheim’s popular song, the haunting Send in the Clowns.
Opera Workshop welcomes back guest stage director Ken Goode for this production.
Originally from New Orleans, Goode directed Opera Workshop’s performance of It’s Only Life three years ago.
Opera Workshop also welcomes back Southeastern Alumna Kay Schepker and Jane Rownd
Wear, both of Hammond. Schepker is the aunt of Wear and said she is looking forward
to performing with her neice.
“We are in a few scenes together. Our characters don’t interact much at all,
but I’m enjoying watching her perform her role,” Schepker said. “It’s great to be
able to watch her work and see how she’s grown as a singer and actress. Since she
completed her graduate school work at Indiana University, I didn’t have the opportunity
to see her perform very often. It’s also a fun time for our family to be able to see
us both together in a production.”
The cast for the production includes Rachel Davis (Mandeville) as Desiree Armfeldt;
Alfred Harper (New Orleans) as Frederick Egerman; Randi Gaspard (Covington) as Anne
Egerman; Terelle Bibbins (Slidell) as Henrik Egerman; Kay Schepker (Hammond) as Madame
Armfeldt; Kaylin Guillory (Covington) as Fredrika Armfeldt; Robert Roy (Lacombe) as
Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm; Morgan Curole (Larose) as Countess Charlotte Malcolm; Jane
Wear (Hammond) as Petra; Sarah Cage (Baton Rouge) as Mrs. Nordstrom; Elizabeth Langley
(Mandeville) as Mrs. Segstrom; Anne Labranche (Abita Springs) as Mrs. Anderssen; Brandon
Wear (Slidell) as Mr. Erlanson; Wesley Newton (Bourg) as Mr. Lindquist; Cody Sires
(Chalmette) as Frid; Deondra Bell (Baton Rouge) as Malla; Jeremy Guillot (Denham Springs)
as Bertrand; and Mia Gibson (Sulphur) as Osa.
Effler will serve as musical director and conductor, Department of Fine and Performing
Arts faculty members Steve Schepker will design the set and Benjamin Norman will design
the lighting. Southeastern students Katie Walker of Marrero and Kayla Rochelle of
Destrehan will serve as stage manager and makeup designer respectively.
Advance tickets are available at the Columbia Theatre box office Monday through
Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will also be available one hour prior to each performance.
Ticket prices are $21 for adults; $16 for seniors, Southeastern faculty/staff and
non-Southeastern students; and $8 for children 12 and under. Southeastern students
are admitted free of charge with their university ID.
For more information about the Opera/Music Theatre Workshop contact Effler at
ceffler@southeastern.edu.
A Little Night Music, book by Hugh Wheeler, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, originally produced
on Broadway by Harold S. Prince, is presented through special arrangement with Music
Theatre International (MTI) and all authorized performance materials are also supplied
by MTI, 421 West 54th Street, New York, NY, 10019, www.MTIShows.com.
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Senior awarded minority leadership scholarship
For the second consecutive year, a Southeastern student in Communication Sciences
and Disorders has been awarded a national leadership scholarship by the American Speech-Language-Hearing
Association.
Senior Maya Gauthier of Hahnville will receive one of 40 Minority Student Leadership
Program (MSLP) scholarships in the nation. The award allows her to participate in
leadership training at the 2016 ASHA in Philadelphia Nov. 15-20. As an MSLP participant,
she will take part in leadership-focused educational programs and activities at the
convention to help build and enhance leadership skills and gain an understanding of
how the association works.
To be considered for the award, Gauthier had to submit a letter of recommendation
and prepare an essay describing the qualities of an individual who demonstrates leadership,
the skills she wants to develop, and how participation in the program will enhance
her leadership skills.
“Maya may be the most extraordinary undergraduate I have taught in the 23 years
I’ve been at Southeastern," said Roxanne Wright Stoehr, instructor and clinical supervisor
for the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. “She is always prepared for
class and demonstrates an uncanny ability to understand complex and abstract material
and to reflect on subjects at an unusually high level for an undergraduate. In addition
to her scholastic ability, she is a mindful and caring person.”
As a sophomore at Southeastern, Gauthier became interested in autism, a spectrum
of disorders characterized by difficulties in social interaction, and verbal and nonverbal
communication. Gauthier organized her own fundraiser, collecting about $2,000 for
local families of children with autism.
Originally a chemistry major with hopes of becoming a physician, she switched
to Southeastern’s communication program, then moved to Communication Sciences and
Disorders.
“I wanted something that incorporated more science into my studies. That’s when
I discovered Communication Sciences and Disorders,” said Gauthier, who last year earned
the program’s Charles W. Campbell Award for the outstanding junior in the program.
After graduation in spring 2017, Gauthier plans to continue graduate studies at
Southeastern in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP – Southeastern Communication Sciences and Disorders senior Maya Gauthier of Hahnville
works with seven-year-old Zachary Musso of Hammond in the CSD clinical lab. Gauthier
was awarded one of 40 Minority Student Leadership Program scholarships by the American
Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
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Southeastern's Columbia Theatre announces new season
Southeastern’s Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts launches its 2016-17 season,
offering everything from live music to dance to theatre.
The season also boasts entertainment genres, such as campus ensembles and silver
screen cinema showings featuring the best of independent and classic movies on the
big screen at the theatre, said Roy Blackwood, director of the Columbia Theatre and
Fanfare, Southeastern’s annual festival of the arts, humanities and social sciences.
Movie screenings and campus ensemble performances will be scheduled throughout the
season. Dates and additional information will be available soon at columbiatheatre.org.
Blackwood said the season is dedicated to the late Marjorie Morrison of Hammond,
a long-time friend and supporter of Southeastern, Columbia Theatre, and local arts
programs.
“An avid supporter of the arts, Mrs. Morrison served as a member of Southeastern’s
Arts and Cultural Committee and was a member of Fanfare’s Board of Directors since
its inception over two decades ago,” Blackwood said. “We are forever grateful for
her steadfast support and dedication to enriching the culture of the region.”
The Columbia season officially opens Sept. 29 with Southeastern Opera/Theatre
Workshop’s presentation of A Little Night Music, Stephen Sondheim’s sexy and sophisticated tribute to the foibles of love. The production
is scheduled on Sept. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m..
Next on tap is a performance from entertainer Lynn Trefzger on Oct. 7 at 7:30
p.m.
“Lynn Trefzger is a ventriloquist and comedienne with a trunk full of zany characters
that have accompanied her to stages throughout the country,” said Blackwood. “She,
and her many voices, have appeared on ABC, TNN, A&E, and Lifetime. Recently she was
featured in a comedy/documentary about the art of ventriloquism with Jay Johnson and
Jeff Dunham called I’m No Dummy by NBC Universal. Her off-the-wall audience interplay is riotously funny, and her
performances are tailored for both family and adult audiences. ”
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will begin its series of performances at
Columbia on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. with Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1. The program
begins with a series of light-hearted overtures, including Nicolai’s “Overture to
the Merry Wives of Windsor,” Beethoven’s “Overture to Corolian,” and Korgold’s “Overture
to Much Ado About Nothing.”
Additional LPO concerts include the Yuletide Celebration on Dec. 2 and the New
World Symphony on March 3. Both concerts are scheduled at 7:30 p.m.
Missoula Children’s Theatre will make a return visit the week of Oct. 24 - 29
with a production of Peter and Wendy for area youth. Upon their arrival on Oct. 24, Missoula will hold auditions and cast
approximately 50 to 60 area children. Rehearsals will begin that day, and a full scale
production will be presented Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. and Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. For additional
information, contact the Columbia Theatre administrative office at 985-543-4366.
Also in the theatre category is Aquila Theatre presenting Murder on the Nile on Feb.17. Based on Agatha Christie’s own novel Death on the Nile, the production is set on a paddle steamer cruising the Nile River in the 1940s.
Passengers are abuzz when famous heiress Kay Ridgeway boards the ship. Class, money
and reputation are all at stake for the passengers and, before they know it, deceit,
theft and murder quickly make waves on the river.
A pair of musical concerts highlights November. First up is a benefit concert
for Fanfare on Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m. by Southeastern’s all-professor rock band, Impaired
Faculties.
“Impaired Faculties will celebrate Guy Fawkes Day, Halloween’s brother holiday
celebrated by America’s ally, friend, and mother country, Great Britain, with bonfires,
effigies, fireworks, libations, satire, and no shortage of tricks and treats at the
Columbia Theatre,” Blackwood said.
Scheduled Nov. 22 is the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Jeremy Davis
and Clay Johnson founded the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra to bring the greatest songs,
original arrangements and musicianship to the stage.
“This group has toured all over North America, performing in the style and swagger
of legendary entertainers, such as Frank Sinatra,” Blackwood said. “Davis and Johnson
put their own stamp on the Great American songbook, graced with a touch of Motown,
Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Elvis, offering a freshness and relevance that speaks
to everyone.”
Two dance ensembles are also scheduled this season. First up on Dec. 9 and 10
at 7 p.m., is Hammond Ballet Company’s The Nutcracker. The classic holiday ballet features professional guest artists and excellent all-star
local dancers.
Later in the season, Eisenhower Dance will perform on March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Eisenhower
Dance, Blackwood said, has spent the last 25 years giving life to a repertoire of
internationally known choreographers, as well as the highly acclaimed work of Artistic
Director Laurie Eisenhower. Established in Detroit by Eisenhower in 1991, the company
tours internationally, performing works by choreographers such as Edgar Zendejas,
David Parsons, Lar Lubovitch, Ron de Jesus, and Gina Patterson.
Aeolus: Classical String Quartet will perform Jan. 26, at 7:30 p.m. “Dedicated
to bringing music into the community, the Aeolus Quartet has been widely recognized
for their highly innovative and engaging outreach programs,” Blackwood said. “Since
its inception, the all-American quartet has been awarded prizes at nearly every major
competition in the United States.”
Rounding out the season is a Pajamas and Play performance of The Boy Who Cried Wolf on April 29 at 7 p.m. In this children’s story, a boy learns an important life lesson
about integrity, honesty, and the consequences of “crying wolf.” Kids are encouraged
to wear their pajamas to this musical retelling of a classic tale. Milk and cookies
will also be served.
A compliment to the Columbia Theatre season, Fanfare, will feature many “home-grown”
artists. Fanfare will once again showcase music, theater, dance, lectures, children’s
events, and art exhibits, highlighting the myriad of talent university faculty and
students have to offer in Fanfare’s 31st season. The complete Fanfare schedule will
be posted soon and updated regularly at southeastern.edu/fanfare.
For Columbia Theatre season or individual ticket information, contact the administrative
office at 985-543-4366 or log on to columbiatheatre.org.
 NEW COLUMBIA SEASON ANNOUNCED - The 2016-17 season of Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts offers something
for everyone with everything from live music to dance to theater. The 2016-2017 season
includes a dance production by Eisenhower Dance on March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
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College & Career Fair scheduled Sept. 27 for St. Tammany, Tangipahoa high school students
High school students and their parents can get an informal introduction to college
as well as valuable information about scholarships, financial aid, and admissions
requirements at the Northshore College and Career Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
Not to be confused with Career Fair, Southeastern’s Office of Career Services’
annual university-wide employment recruiting event that was held Sept. 15, this event
caters to high school students. One of the largest college fairs in the state with
more than 60 participating colleges and universities from throughout the state and
nation, the free event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Southeastern’s Pennington Center,
located on the corner of University Avenue and General Pershing Street.
The fair is open to all Tangipahoa Parish and St. Tammany Parish high school
students and their parents; the event is scheduled in cooperation with the public
school systems of both parishes.
Students can pre-register for their own special bar code at lacollegefairs.com
to use at the event. Many vendors will be able to scan the codes to collect the students’
contact and interest information, eliminating the need to complete information cards
at each table.
“This is the primary event for high school students and their families to learn
more about selecting colleges and career options,” said Lori Fairburn, Southeastern
director of Enrollment Services. “Students and their parents will be able to browse
exhibits offering information on academic and career options, university admissions
requirements, as well as other scholarship and financial aid opportunities.”
The fair will host college and technical program representatives from Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama and other states, who will be on hand to inform the students
about their respective areas of study. Banks and lenders will also be available to
offer information and financial aid options.
For more information on the fair, contact Southeastern Admissions at 549-5637
or e-mail northshorefair@southeastern.edu. Additional information about Southeastern, including admission requirements and
scholarship opportunities, is available at southeastern.edu.
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Golf, at Jim Rivers Intercollegiate, Choudrant, All Day
