Theatre Department
Shakespeare once said “all the world’s a stage,” and the theatre major at Bryan College is designed to take advantage of that dramatic philosophy.
Mr. Bernie Belisle, assistant professor of Communication Studies and Theatre Major (Hilltop Players) director, said that the program gives its majors “a powerful tool for making a difference in the world.”
That tool may be as specific as knowing how to stage a theatrical performance or as general as having a good grasp on the literary history which reflects the development of Western culture.
It also gives individuals the skill to identify with and portray persons different than themselves. “One of the key factors in lifestyle evangelism is identification, establishing relationships. It is inherent in the performing arts that we engage people unlike ourselves, people we might not be able to meet otherwise,” he said.
On a broader front, equipping Christians to compete in and influence the dramatic arts is a way to more generally influence today’s culture. “For years, Christians abdicated their influence in the arts,” he said. “It’s time to start taking back some of that territory, or at least influence it so it doesn’t get worse. I feel very strongly that we need to have a powerful influence in society. It's happening in small pockets around the country; I want to be part of the equipping process.”
One Bryan graduate who has accepted that challenge is Walker Haynes, ’96. Walker moved to California where he is working to break into the television, theatre, and film industry. “I had a very idealistic approach to breaking into the industry… that it would happen overnight,” he said. “When I got to Hollywood, I realized that the term ‘overnight success’ omits the phrase ‘he worked 15 years to become an…’”
A recent production of Sondheim and Lapine's INTO THE WOODS.
But Haynes has found that, as a Christian, he is not alone. “I meet Christians every day in every area of the industry, and I am encouraged. I think the call needs to go out stronger than ever to Christians around the country to join the fight here. Christ is alive in the entertainment industry, and He is calling more and more to Himself all the time. There are Bible studies set up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis in the major studios, and these are packed out.”
Walker is presently involved in a variety of theatrical venues in the Los Angeles area.
Two other recent graduates, Quentin McCuiston (03) and his wife Jessica (Hendrix - 03) are making their imact on the East coast as they reside in New York City. Quentin is involved in doing a variety of shows in NY and around the country. Jessica works for the City of NY as an arts administrator as well as performing in productions in the area. Jess, prior to moving to NY, also taught for three years at Bryan doing our Stage Movement classes as well as costuming and choreographing our Hilltop Player productions.
In 2007, two of our musical theatre graduates decided to continue their education in theatre by attending Regent University enrolling in their Master of Fine Arts program. Katie Fridsma has completed her first year at Regent and is excited about her future in theatre. Katie has been involved in a number of films and theatrical productions at Regent. Katie says of her time at Bryan: "Bryan was exactly the place that I needed to be in that it gave me the opportunities and experiences necessary for me to build my love for the stage and my confidence in the fact that God has called me to be used by Him in the arts. I would never have continued on -- or even begun -- this journey, had God not used Bryan's incredible faculty to prod, support, encourage, and invest in me and the gifts God has given me. They provided the foundation of passion for the fine arts and belief in God's calling for me that I now build upon in my furthering education and ensuing career." Nathan Schmidt decided to sit out a year and work before going on to graduate school. He is excited about the prospects that await him and his desire to develop his theatrical skills.
These are only a few of several Bryan graduates who are presently working in the area of theatre either professionally or through local community involvement.
In the liberal arts model of Bryan College, the theatre major offers a broad exposure to the field. “Students will act, work backstage, do costumes, lights, assist direct and direct,” Mr. Belisle said. “Their senior project is to direct a one-act play (or be a part of a design team). They may find their niche and do more of that than something else, but they will do it all.”
The “do it all” aspect of the program is reflected in the repertory as well. “I try to choose plays over four years so that my students and the audience can experience a variety of styles of theatre – comedy, tragedy, drama, farce – from this century to Shakespeare and earlier,” Mr. Belisle said. “Variety is important to broaden our cultural awareness, to help us know we are tied directly to the past as a culture. A good way to do this is through performance.”
While the quality of the program depends on the quality of instruction, quality also is demonstrated by the type of students involved. “I look for enthusiasm about what a student wants to do,” Mr. Belisle said. “I look for a teachable spirit, someone who can see the big picture, who is not so tunnel-visioned that they say, ‘this is what I want to do and nothing else,’ someone who can see how it all fits together.”
The Pullman car in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN
“The most important thing is a commitment to be excellent for Christ, someone who desires to be the best with the talent He has given.”
As a result of many years of planning and research a new major in theatre has been added in the area of Communication Studies as well as the Music major.
To help build the program, Mr. Belisle has developed a patrons program, which has raised money to purchase needed equipment and supplies. Over the years Patrons have contributed to the purchase of over $50,000 of new equipment and supplies. In 2005 we saw the first “Rachel Morgan Patron Scholarship” awarded through our Patron program. In 1999, the Haynes Hilltop Scholarship was established to help theatre majors with college costs.
Mr. Belisle is also seeking to broaden the impact of the program in the community as well, working with the Tennessee Valley Theatre, a Rhea County theatre troupe, supporting the Rhea County High School drama program and providing technical support to the annual Scopes Trial reenactment.
“We want to provide a major cultural influence in the Rhea County community,” he said. And reaching out through local contacts and providing excellent programming is one major way he hopes to make a difference in this part of the world."
A scene from Neil Simon's LOST IN YONKERS