Southeastern Theatre presents "On the Verge"The Southeastern theatre program will present Eric Overmyer's play On the Verge Tuesday, Feb. 25, through Friday, Feb. 28.
The performance will take place at Vonnie Borden Theatre in D Vickers Hall at
7:30 p.m. General admission tickets are $10; $5 for Southeastern faculty and staff,
seniors, and non-Southeastern students; and Southeastern students are admitted free
with ID.
Written in 1986, On the Verge follows the adventures of three Victorian women as they make their way to a new and
unchartered land, "Terra Incognita." The Southeastern Theatre take on this play will
be unique with staging unlike that of the past, according to director James Winter,
associate professor of acting and directing.
"Audiences can expect to see the Vonnie Borden Theatre used in some very innovative
ways as they watch this smart, funny, fast-paced adventure," Winter said.
The cast includes Southeastern students Kacie Barnes of Covington as Mary, Kayla
Hill of Walker as Fanny, Jaimee Rome of Mandeville as Alex, and Tyler Meyer of Mandeville,
a student at LSU, in the role of The Man.
Video effects used in the play were designed by John Atkins of Belle Chasse.
Olivia Matte of Covington is co-directing the play with Winter, with Dara Calmes of
Baton Rouge assisting. Stage management will be provided by Katy Truluck of Ponchatoula
and Jennifer Villarrubia of Prairieville, assisted by Blake Walker of Bogalusa. Sound
effects were designed by Miranda Miller of Walker, Taylor Michel of LaPlace is props
master, and Rebecca Fife of Pearl River is handling costume design. Graphic design
is being handled by Matt Kozel of Ponchatoula; Kayla Turner of Hammond is the dramaturg.
For more information, contact the Southeastern Theatre at 549-2115.
ON THE VERGE – Tyler Meyer, playing "The Man," makes a point to actors, from left, Kacie Barnes, Jaimee Rome and Kayla Hill at a rehearsal for Eric Overmeyer's play On the Verge to be presented at Southeastern's Vonnie Borden Theatre Feb. 25 – 28.
Rock 'n Roar a great day of educational fun
1)2)
1)ROCK 'N ROAR ENTERTAINS STUDENTS – Southeastern biology graduate student Savannah Michaelson, left, holds up a harmless corn snake so a group of Springfield High students can get a better look. From left are Paula Williamson, Madison Paules and Shelby Chandler. More than 2,800 students from area schools visited Southeastern on Saturday (Feb. 22) for the university's annual Rock 'n Roar festival held in conjunction with the district literary rally.
2)ROCK 'N ROAR ENTERTAINS STUDENTS – Laura Arnold of Live Oak High School in Denham Springs examines some petrified
specimens as Southeastern earth sciences instructor Bruce Sherman explains.
Channel airs documentary of state's forgotten rock festivalThe untold story of Louisiana's disastrous attempt at its own Woodstock rock festival
will be brought to life on the Southeastern Channel, Southeastern's educational access
station.
McCrea 1971: Louisiana's Forgotten Rock Festival, a documentary about the failed Celebration of Life music festival in McCrea, Louisiana,
will air at 8:30 pm. Saturday (Feb. 22) on the Channel, which is Charter Cable Channel
18.
Produced by Southeastern students Nick Brilleaux and Scott Caro, the documentary
will air repeatedly throughout the next two months, according to channel General Manager
Rick Settoon.
"Most rock-and-roll fans who've lived in this state all their lives don't know
that a Louisiana version of Woodstock was ever attempted," Settoon said. "It's a
tragic, yet fascinating story. Although they're students, Nick Brilleaux and Scott
Caro have produced a professional-quality documentary that captivates viewers."
The Celebration of Life festival in June 1971 brought over 60,000 attendees from
all over the United States to the small crossroads of McCrea, located along the Atchafalaya
River levee in upper Pointe Coupee Parish. While the 1969 Woodstock festival today
evokes memories of peace, love and music, the Celebration of Life is remembered for
mud, mosquitoes and death.
The festival was advertised to include over 70 big-name acts such as the Rolling
Stones, Beach Boys, Moody Blues, Pink Floyd, BB King, Ike and Tina Turner, and Sly
and the Family Stone. But in reality only 10 bands actually showed up to perform,
including Chuck Berry, Stephen Stills, WAR, John Sebastian, and Delaney and Bonnie.
Adverse factors included local hostility and uproar, an expensive legal battle,
and the brutal summer heat of south Louisiana, compounded by shortages of food, water
and medical facilities. While the rock groups played at night, festival goers spent
their days in misery seeking food, drugs, and shelter on the treeless, mosquito-infested
grounds.
Rumors of police brutality along with a number of accidents, including the drowning
deaths of at least four people in the swift-moving Atchafalaya River, contributed
to the disaster. The festival shut down after its third day. Musicians aimed criticism
at the promoters, while organizers and local officials blamed each other for the festival's
failure.
"I first learned of the festival through casual conversation with my mother,"
said Brilleaux, son of the late British singer/musician Lee Brilleaux of Dr. Feelgood
fame. "I was shocked that, having lived in Louisiana for most of my life, I had never
heard of the event. As a graduate student of history, I found it particularly exciting
to come across something that had received virtually no attention within academic
circles."
The video features long-lost film footage and interviews with musicians and attendees,
including festival production manager Vaughn Mordenti of New Orleans and late Stephen
Stills Band guitarist Stephen Fromholz, who was filmed in San Antonio last year but
died less than a month ago.
Brilleaux, who studied film and documentary production at the Southeastern Channel,
not only shot and edited the program but also co-produced and directed it with Caro,
also a graduate student in history. The students produced the entire 33-minute documentary
by themselves except for musical contributions from individuals such as Caro's brother,
Dan, an accomplished drummer.
Brilleaux and Caro point out that the Celebration of Life mirrored the same problems
of late 1960s festivals like the Altamont Speedway Free Concert and the Powder Ridge
Rock Festival. The McCrea failure marked the end of the golden age of the rock festival
culture begun at the Monterrey Pop Festival and Woodstock.
Caro said that rock festivals today are run by experienced event crews with the
support of local officials, police and promoters with large cash reserves. But at
the time of McCrea, large rock concerts grew mainly through improvisation.
"We remember the huge successes like Woodstock, but the record shows that festivals
like McCrea were hit-or-miss. A few even descended into chaos," Caro said. "At the
root of most failures was a lack of cooperation between festival organizers and local
governments and police forces. That was the case for Celebration of Life."
"McCrea 1971" has already begun to garner acclaim. It was selected for screenings
at the New Orleans Film Festival, the Southern Screen Festival in Lafayette, and Fanfare
at the Columbia Theatre in Hammond last October. The film's trailer can be seen at
mccrea1971.com.
The Southeastern Channel can be seen on Charter Cable Channel 18 in Tangipahoa,
St. Tammany and Livingston parishes and on Channel 17 in Washington Parish. The live
24/7 webcast and archived video on demand can be seen at www.southeastern.edu/tv.
CONGESTION AT McCREA – Vehicles and people line the road and levee in Pointe Coupee Parish during the Celebration of Life, an ill-fated attempt to duplicate the Woodstock-like music festival in McCrea, La., in 1971.
Faculty, staff, community invited to open houseSoutheastern faculty and staff, as well as the community at large are invited to an
open house for Southeastern's new Student Union Addition. Free and open to the public,
the event will take place on Thursday, March 6 in the Grand Ballroom, located on the
third floor, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited for refreshments and tours of the region's new state-of-the-art
event facility.
Award-winning historian to speak at "Tea with Friends"
Nigel Hamilton, award-winning British-born biographer, historian, broadcaster and
book reviewer, will be the featured speaker at the third annual "Tea with Friends"
on Saturday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at Sims Library. Guests at this members' tea of the
Friends of Sims Library will enjoy a variety of teas and a selection of delectable
sandwiches and pastries.
Hamilton's books include biographies of Field Marshal Montgomery, Heinrich and
Thomas Mann, and Bill Clinton, as well as JFK: Restless Youth and American Caesars: Lives of the Presidents from Franklin D. Roosevelt to George W.
Bush. He has also authored Biography: A Brief History and How to Do Biography: A Primer. Hamilton has had op-ed pieces and articles in the New York Times, the London Independent, and the Times Higher Education, among others.
He has contributed to dozens of television documentary programs and has lectured
at many universities around the world on his work. His latest book, The Mantle of Command: FDR at War, 1941-1942, an intimate look at a great president's greatest conflict, will be published in
May by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
The tea is free to members of the Friends of Sims Library. Non-members may reserve
a seat for $25, which includes a one-year individual membership in FOSL. Unlimited
mimosas will also be available for $10. Reservations must be received by Wednesday,
March 5.
To reserve a seat, or to find out more about FOSL, please call Janie Branham
at 549-2186 or email FOSL@southeastern.edu.
Southeastern Theatre presents staged reading of alumna's play
Southeastern will host a staged reading of a new play titled "High and Mighty" on
Saturday, March 8.
But this isn't just any play. It was was written by Southeastern alumna and retired
Director of the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts and Fanfare Donna Gay Anderson
of Hammond.
Although it is her first play, Anderson is no stranger to theater. She lived
in New York, where she attended the National Shakespeare Conservatory and worked as
an actress. Upon her return home, she taught theater at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Additionally, her mother, the late Vonnie Borden, was the first theater professor
at Southeastern, where she taught for years. Appropriately, the staged reading will
take place in Vonnie Borden Theater in D Vickers Hall at 7 p.m. and is free and open
to the public.
Anderson said anyone who is curious about the story or the process of new play
development is welcome to attend.
The setting is an upper east side Manhattan Presbyterian church in the 1980's
where a group of young adults struggle with their consciences when relationships,
morality and emotions tumble. Although everyone is welcome to attend, Anderson said
strong language and sexual references are included in the script.
Since it is her first play, Anderson turned for guidance to Southeastern Assistant
Professor of Theater and Directing Jim Winter, an award-winning playwright.
Winter read the play, liked it, and wanted to be part of the process of further
developing the script. Consequently, he is directing the reading.
"I was thrilled when Jim suggested a staged reading at Southeastern," Anderson
said. "He is such a fine director and has guided me through this process masterfully.
Having Southeastern theater faculty and students endorse my play is the ultimate compliment."
So far, Anderson said, there have been three table readings and three workshop
days during which actors walked around with her script. Presently, they are preparing
for the stage reading of the play, which includes 10 songs by Southeastern graduate
Drew Zerinque, and student Bridget Lyons Zeringue.
Anderson said a staged reading is not a full production, and that she doesn't
want anyone to expect that. It is a rehearsed, directed reading of the script by actors
on a stage.
"There are no costumes or sets, just minimal lighting and sound. The purpose
of a reading is to get reactions and comments from a live audience," she said. "After
all, plays are meant to be performed, not simply read in private. Readings give the
audience a role to play in the development of the play. For a playwright, it is a
bit intimidating, but also extremely helpful."
Acting in the staged reading are Olivia Matte of Covington, Coco Kunstman of
Stuttgart, Germany, Lisa Morrison of Hammond, Tyler Meyer of Mandeville, Kayla Hill
of Walker, Randy Malbrough of Gonzales, Barbie Vallot of Ponchatoula, Chelsea Krause
of Baton Rouge, and George Sanchez of Slidell.
Performing the music are Southeastern students Brent Goodrich of Sulphur, Analynn
Sober of Lake Charles, Ben Vollentine of Covington, and Bridget Lyons Zeringue of
LaPlace. Serving as accompanist is Drew Zeringue of LaPlace.
A question and answer session will immediately follow the reading for the purpose
of further refining the script.
For more information, contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, 549-2184.
Southeastern Alumni hosts Fair Grounds Day at the Races March 9
The Tangi Chapter of the Southeastern Alumni Association will be off to the races
at the New Orleans Fair Grounds Sunday, March 9.
"A Day at the Races" is open to all Southeastern alumni and friends, 21 years
of age and older, said Alumni Association Director Kathy Pittman. Cost is $55, which
includes bus transportation from Hammond, clubhouse admission and lunch. March 6 is
the payment deadline, although early registration is encouraged due to limited seating.
The bus will depart the Alumni Center at 10:30 a.m. and return immediately after
the last race. Participants who plan to use their own transportation are welcome to
meet the Southeastern group at the Fair Grounds, although the cost will remain the
same Pittman said.
"Lunch will be followed by an afternoon of fun and excitement watching the races,"
Pittman said. "Make plans to join us."
Participants can register online at southeastern.edu/alumni.
For additional information, contact the Alumni Association at 549-2150 or 1-800-SLU-ALUM.
Southeastern Community Music School announces summer workshops
Registration is underway for the Southeastern Community Music School's "Summer Music
Celebration 2014," a series of programs for young musicians.
"Summer Music Celebration 2014" includes a middle school band camp, piano duet
workshop, guitar workshop and chamber music workshops, said Community Music School
Director Jivka Jeleva
Musicians in grades five through eight have until May 1 to register for the middle
school band camp, which will take place July 7-11, 9 a.m. -5 p.m. at the Pottle Music
Building Auditorium. Tuition is $225, which includes lunch each day.
Southeastern's Associate Band Director Paul Frechou will coordinate the middle
school band camp. Along with the concert band, the camp will also offer private lessons
and master classes, jazz combos, lessons in improvisation and theory classes.
The piano duet, chamber music and guitar workshops are scheduled for July 14-18,
9 a.m. -12 p.m. May 15 is the deadline for the piano duet workshop, while June 15
is the final day to sign up for the guitar and chamber music workshops. Tuition is
$170.
The piano duet workshop will offer intermediate instruction to advanced junior
high and high school students giving them the chance to explore the rich literature
for piano four-hands. Enrollment is limited to 16 students. Each student will be matched
with a partner of similar age and ability and be involved in daily coaching sessions,
musicianship classes, master classes and a final recital. Kenneth Boulton, interim
head of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts, will conduct the workshop with
his wife and duet partner JoAnne Barry.
Students participating in the guitar workshop will learn how to approach and
arrange music that is typically presented by experienced musicians. This workshop
is open to guitar students 10 years of age and older with at least one year of previous
guitar experience. Enrollment is limited to 20. Patrick Kerber, Southeastern guitar
instructor, will teach the workshop.
The chamber music workshop is open to violin, viola, cello and piano students
of any age who have at least one year of previous experience. The workshop will be
focused on chamber music repertoire, including duet, piano trio and quartet. Students
will have the opportunity to improve their sight-reading skills and instrumental technique,
as well as develop stronger ensemble skills.
For more information on any of these programs, go to southeastern.edu/cms or call 549-5502. The CMS will also offer private instrumental and vocal lessons
from June 9 to July 24.
You Be the Chemist winners named

Pictured are, from left, Daniel McCarthy, dean of the College of Science and Technology; Joe Schaffer, director of technology at Bercen, Inc.; Luke Lewis of Sumner Middle School, first place; Mallory Matthews of Loranger Middle School, second place; Jackson Latner, third place, Makayla Baham and Deanna Reynolds, all of Sumner; and Theresa Hamilton, chief academic officer of the Tangipahoa Parish School System. Bercen, Inc., a specialty chemical company in Denham Springs, provided financial support for the event.
The Big Event seeks businesses, organizations for service projects
Students at Southeastern are looking to add area businesses, churches and organizations
to their list of job sites for the annual community service day called The Big Event.
Sponsored by the Student Government Association, The Big Event sponsors teams
of students who participate in a day of voluntary community service in Hammond and
the surrounding area. Now in its fourth year, The Big Event is slated for Saturday,
March 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Litter removal, painting, landscaping and other activities at churches and non-profit
organizations were the typical jobs handled by more than 800 students who participated
in The Big Event last year.
Since students provide their own transportation, job sites should be within 25
minutes of the Hammond campus. Job sites must also have a contact person on location
to supervise the work.
Organizations can get more information or sign up to provide a job site by visiting
the web site southeastern.edu/admin/sga/big_event or by e-mailing The Big Event Co-Directors Taylor Petit at taylor.petit@southeastern.edu or Brennen McAndrew at Brennen.mcandrew@southeastern.edu.
Students' Research, Creative and Scholarly Activities Showcase - Call for Presentations
The Office of Sponsored Research and Programs (OSRP) invites undergraduate and graduate
students from all disciplines to participate in its showcase of student research,
creative, and scholarly activity on Tuesday, April 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the
large ballroom on the third floor of the Student Union.
This university-wide, non-competitive event will provide a venue for display
of such items as conference posters, publications and other visual presentations.
We invite students to include their current work, as well as work completed at Southeastern
in previous semesters.
Although there will be no formal oral presentations, we envision that the student
investigators and artists – and if feasible, their faculty advisors – will be present
for one hour during the course of the three-hour showcase to discuss their displays
and to advocate for the future participation of Southeastern students in research,
creative and scholarly pursuits.
Faculty are welcome to display and accompany work by their former Southeastern
student collaborators. Faculty are also welcome to display and distribute recruiting
materials for undergraduate and graduate student opportunities in research, creative
and scholarly activities at Southeastern. In the event of limited space, a higher
priority will be given to student displays in the main arena.
Please download the form from the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs web
page at www.southeastern.edu/admin/osrp to participate in this exciting event. We ask that all presentations be "display
ready."
For more information, please contact Margaret Adelmann, OSRP, at 549-5312 or
by email at OSRC@southeastern.edu.
BR Advocate Chefs Evening set for March 23
http://theadvocate.com/news/livingston/8380239-123/chefs-evening-set-for-march
Hammond Star New Student Union opens
http://www.hammondstar.com/news/article_5147b624-983c-11e3-94b8-0019bb2963f4.html?_dc=772576272021.9791
N.O. Times Picayune McCrea 1971: Louisiana's failed Woodstock subject of film airing on northshore channel
http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2014/02/mccrea_1971_louisianas_failed.html
This Week in Athletics
The Southeastern track and field teams will compete in the Southland Conference Indoor
Championships, while the basketball teams will celebrate Senior Day during this week
in Southeastern Athletics.
The Lions and Lady Lions will compete in the league meet this week in Birmingham,
Ala. The meet is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday and live results, provided by
the Southland Conference, will be accessible at LionSports.net.
The Lion men's basketball (11-14, 6-8 Southland) and women's basketball (8-17,
7-6 Southland) teams will host a pair of doubleheaders this week. On Thursday, Northwestern
State comes to town for a 5 p.m. doubleheader, while Stephen F. Austin visits Hammond
for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.
Thursday will be Jam the Jungle in the University Center. Students will receive
free food and t-shirts for students as available. Students are encouraged to wear
gold, as we attempt to "Gold Out the UC". The first 100 fans will receive a trading
card featuring Thursday's Spotlight Player of the Game, senior guard Jameika Hoskins,
who is redshirting in 2013-14, courtesy of PRIDE.
Senior Day will be Saturday in the University Center. Prior to the women's game,
Southeastern lone active senior – forward Aja Gibson – will be honored. The men's
basketball senior class of Dre Evans, Antonnio Benton, Jeremy Campbell and Jeffrey
Ricard will be recognized prior to the men's game. Gibson will also be Saturday's
Spotlight Player of the Game and the first 100 fans will receive a trading card featuring
the two-time All-Southland selection courtesy of PRIDE.
Saturday will also be Take A Kid to the Game Day at the University Center. Children
ages 12 and under will receive free admission with the purchase of a full price adult
ticket.
The Southeastern baseball team (5-2) will be in action with four games versus
in-state opponents. On Tuesday, the Lions welcome Grambling to town for a 6 p.m. contest
at Alumni Field. Southeastern will then be on the road for a three-game series at
Louisiana-Monroe, beginning with a 6 p.m. contest on Friday. The series continues
at 6 p.m. on Saturday and concludes with a 1 p.m. series finale on Sunday.
The Lady Lion softball team (3-5) will also be at home for midweek action this
week. Southeastern will host Jackson State on Wednesday for a 3 p.m. doubleheader
at North Oak Park.
Thursday's basketball doubleheader will air live exclusively on ESPN3. All of
this week's basketball action, as well as Tuesday's baseball game will be broadcast
live in the Hammond area on KSLU-FM (90.9) and on the Internet at www.LionSports.net. LionVision subscribers can enjoy a live video feed of Tuesday's baseball game, Wednesday's
softball game and Saturday's basketball doubleheader.
Tuesday, February 25 Baseball, vs. Grambling, Alumni Field, 6 p.m. (KSLU) (LionVision)
Wednesday, February 26 Softball, vs. Jackson State (DH), North Oak Park, 3 p.m. (LionVision)
Men's and Women's Track and Field, at Southland Conference Indoor Championships,
Birmingham, Ala., All Day
Thursday, February 27 Men's Basketball, vs. Northwestern State, University Center, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN3) (KSLU)*
- Jam the Jungle – Students receive free food and t-shirts – Gold Out the UC Women's Basketball, vs. Northwestern State, University Center, 5 p.m. (ESPN3) (KSLU)*
- Jameika Hoskins Spotlight Player of the Game Men's and Women's Track and Field, at Southland Conference Indoor Championships,
Birmingham, Ala., All Day
Friday, February 28 Baseball, at Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, 6 p.m.
Saturday, March 1 Men's Basketball, vs. Stephen F. Austin, University Center, 4:30 p.m. (KSLU) (LionVision)*
- Senior Day
- Take A Kid to the Game Day – Children 12 and under in free with paid adult Women's Basketball, vs. Stephen F. Austin, University Center, 2 p.m. (KSLU) (LionVision)*
- Senior Day
- Take A Kid to the Game Day – Children 12 and under in free with paid adult
- Aja Gibson – Spotlight Player of the GameBaseball, at Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 2 Baseball, at Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, 1 p.m.
Southeastern home events in bold
* - Southland Conference contest
Professional activities
Dr. Martin Kearney (English) presented "Seachran Si: Led Astray by Dubblinnbbayyates," an essay that
incorporates Irish folklore collections, traditional Irish music, the poetry of W.B
Yeats, and modern Irish literature scholarship, on Feb. 14 at the American Conference
on Irish Studies held in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. He also served as the chair of the session.
Dorothy Burton Nelson (Center for Student Excellence) was the keynote speaker and workshop leader for the
University of Indiana community and technical college system during professional development
conferences held on Feb. 7, 13, and 21. Several hundred faculty, advisers, and administrators
attended sessions on the importance of offering career advising to all classifications
of students, but with particular emphasis on the freshman year.
Dr. Peter Shrock (Sociology and Criminal Justice) has published "Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement
and Labor Union Strength," in the February 2014 issue of the Contemporary Journal
of Anthropology and Sociology, an online journal.
Dr. Jayetta Slawon, Dr. Chance Harvey, Dr. Natasha Whitton, Heather O'Connell (all of the English Department) and graduate student Marie Lunt (English) participated
in the Louisiana Association for College Composition conference in February. Their
panel provided information on the Common Read program sponsored by the Writing Center
and the English Department each year. The common read author for this semester, Rich
Cohen, will be visiting campus on March 24 to discuss his book, The Fish that Ate the Whale, a biography of Samuel Zemurray.
James D. Kirylo (College of Education) recently had an article published titled "Never Forget 12/14/12,"
which appears in the Journal of Curriculum & Pedagogy. The piece is a tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook shootings that occurred
in December 2012.
Dr. C. Denelle Cowart (English) presented a paper titled "Is Edith Somerville's The Big House of Inver
a Gothic Novel?" at the Southern Regional meeting of the American Conference for Irish
Studies, held in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Feb. 14-15.
Charles Elliott (Department of History and Political Science) presented "'The Past Will Just Weigh on You:' (Re) Considering Southern Gothic in the Writings of Anne Butler, Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Julie Kane, and Wiley Cash" at the 7th Annual Gathering of Writers and Readers in St. Francisville on Feb. 22.
ByLion is published weekly online (bi-weekly during the summer session) for the faculty and staff of Southeastern Louisiana University. Send submissions to publicinfo@southeastern.edu, SLU 10880, fax 985-549-2061, or bring to University Marketing and Communications Office in East Stadium. Submission deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.
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