Success for HSU Theatre Students at Southeast Theatre Conference

(ABILENE, Texas)–At Hardin-Simmons, students not only gain experience for their future careers, but they also build and develop skills outside of the classroom. HSU Theatre students had a major opportunity last fall when Dr. Christopher Hollingsworth, associate professor of voice and director of the Opera Program, took 13 HSU theatre and music students to compete at the preliminary screening rounds of the Southeast Theatre Conference 2018/2019 auditions held in Jackson, Mississippi.

Students showed their drive with their theatre skills, commitment to the program, and capability to compete at the conference. After the first stage, nine students qualified for the final round of auditions. The final step was challenging for HSU students because, at this point of the competition, more than 100 professional companies were seeking to hire professional performers and college students for summer or year-round work.

Out of the nine HSU students invited to the finals, seven were able to travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to compete. Later, four of them reported having received more than ten callbacks and offers for professional work.

“We are so proud of the hard work that all of our students put into these auditions. To have had 9 of 13 original HSU students make finals in itself is an honor,” says Hollingsworth. “We are proud of all of them and know that they each have a bright future ahead of them,” he says.

Domonique Gordon received 26 callbacks and is in talks with The Lost Colony Theatre in North Carolina, King’s Dominion Theme Park in Virginia, and Bright Star Touring Company based in North Carolina.

Michael Kelly received 21 callbacks. His notable callbacks include RWS Entertainment based out of New York City. This company handles many of the major theme parks, cruise ships, and corporate entertainment opportunities in New York City. He is also in communication with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and several regional theatre companies in Atlanta and North Carolina.

Amy Arevalo received 16 callbacks, one of them being from Flatrock Playhouse in North Carolina and would earn equity points towards her equity card. She is also in communication with Walnut Street Theatre in Pennsylvania as well as V Star Entertainment.

Dakota Medlin received 12 callbacks and is in talks with Emerald Coast Theatre in Florida and V Star Entertainment. He is also being considered for paid internships in Philadelphia and Atlanta.

Students who attended the final round are:

Amy Arevalo ’19

Domonique Gordon ’19

Emily Hatch ’20

Michael Kelly ’19

Dakota Medlin ’19

Bridgett Mistrot ’20

Shelby Walker ’20