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AUDITIONS FOR CAREY DINNER THEATRE TO BE HELD MARCH 26

Auditions for cast and interviews with crew for the thirty-sixth season of Carey Dinner Theatre (CDT) are Saturday, March 26beginning at 10 a.m. in the Joe and Virginia Tatum Theatre on the Hattiesburg campus of William Carey University.

CDT presents two musicals in June and July. Each member of the company, both performers and staff, is paid. The financial package includes salary, tips (company members serve during dinner), and housing.

Those auditioning as performers will present a one-minute monolog from a modern prose play (no dialect), a one-minute vocal selection from a Broadway musical, and will participate in a dance audition. Each person who auditions should bring comfortable clothes for the dance audition. An accompanist will be available, but will not transpose. Taped accompaniment may be used.

Audition requirements for pianists include a prepared two-minute selection from a Broadway musical. Sight reading will be required.

Interviews will be held also for technicians, costume assistants, house-box office managers, and office assistants. Each person will complete an application and interview with staff. Portfolios are invited. Performers may also apply for staff positions.

Each applicant should bring a head shot to the audition/interview. For more information call 601-318-6218 or emailcdt@wmcarey.edu.  Contracts are issued as soon as possible after March 26 and are offered only to those who have graduated from high school by May 30, 2011. The company commitment is May 30 through July 25.

Filed under: Arts, Hattiesburg, William Carey, Arts, Audition, Dinner theater, Performing Arts, William Carey University

PIANIST JOHN ELLIS TO PERFORM AT WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY

Pianist John Ellis will perform in concert Monday, February 28, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in Dumas Smith Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus of William Carey University.  The concert will feature Robert Schumann’s Fantasie in C Major, Op. 17, and Franz Liszt’s Années de Pèlerinage, Second Year: Italy. Dr. Ellis will also present a free master class featuring William Carey University piano majors on Tuesday, March 1, from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. on the Smith Auditorium stage.  The public is invited to attend.

Professor Ellis has taught piano at the University of Michigan since 2000.  He serves as Chair of the Piano Department and is also the Director of Graduate Studies in Piano Pedagogy.  In addition, he administers the preparatory department and the class piano curriculum.  He is in demand, nationally and internationally, as a master class clinician, adjudicator and lecturer on piano pedagogy.  His recent travels have taken him to the Tunghai Piano Festival in Taiwan, University of South Florida, the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, Finland, and the University of Hawaii.  Professor Ellis speaks regularly on pedagogy topics to teachers groups throughout Michigan.  As a pianist, he has performed widely as soloist, lecture-recitalist, and collaborative artist.  He has recorded the piano music of African-American composer Arthur Cunningham for Equilibrium Records.

As a scholar in the field of pedagogy, Mr. Ellis combines music theory, musicology, and the humanities with the more traditional pedagogical methods.  He has worked with the Musical Signification Project of the International Congress on Musical Signification (ICMS) since 1996, presenting papers on musical meaning and pedagogy at the University of Bologna, the Université de Provence, the University of Helsinki, and the New England Conference of Music Theorists at Wellesley College. His articles have been published by CLUEB (Bologna)/International Semiotics Institute (Finland), and Acta Semiotica Fennica.

His primary teachers were Arthur Cunningham, the late conductor, composer and jazz pianist; Frank Iogha, a touring pianist and former professor at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York; Michel Block, the late pianist and former faculty member at Indiana University in Bloomington; and Constance Keene, the late pianist and faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music. He has served on the faculties at the Manhattan School of Music and the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.  He has taught on the piano faculty of the University of Michigan All-State program at Interlochen and coordinated the piano program at the U-M Summer Arts Institute.

Tickets for the concert on February 28 are $10 general admission and $7 for seniors.WCU students, faculty, and staff are free.  Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance by calling Dr. Ellen Elder at 601-318-6179.

Filed under: Arts, Hattiesburg, William Carey, education, Entertainment/Culture, John Ellis, Music education, Piano, William Carey University

Future Stars Award Winners Showcase Talents With Symphony Thursday

Three winners of the William T. Gower Awards Competition will be featured as part of the University of Southern Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Future Stars winners include, from left to right: Romina Monsanto, Pablo Sotomayor and Kathleen Westfall (Submitted photo).

Symphony Orchestra’s concert set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17 in Bennett Auditorium.

Showcasing exceptional student talent of the School of Music, this annual concert has become an audience favorite. The 2010-11 winners and “Future Stars” include Romina Monsanto of Venezuela; Pablo Sotomayor of Peru and Kathleen Westfall of New Orleans.

The three competition winners will perform the music that earned them distinction among their peers including Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor featuring pianist Sotomayor; Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto in B minor Opt. 4 featuring cellist Monsanto and “I Want Magic” from A Streetcar Named Desire by André Previn and “Manon’s Gavotte”from Manon by Jules Massenet featuring soprano Westfall.

Guest conductors include Southern Miss students Nathan Lambert and Ivan del Prado.

Ongoing for more than 23 years, the competition was renamed four years ago in honor of William T. Gower, former professor of music at Southern Miss and a widely respected woodwind musician.

Gower, who passed away in July 2003, was an inspiration to many budding musicians through his multitude of career performances at music conventions, high schools, colleges, and universities — often performing on a variety of instruments.

The competition itself is highly competitive within the ranks of the Southern Miss School of Music and quite rigorous. “These very talented students will be our stars of tomorrow,” said Dr. Jay Dean, music director of the Symphony. “Later in life, we will be able to say that we knew them when they were students here at Southern Miss.”

The Symphony’s 2010-11 season is sponsored by BancorpSouth.Tickets for the concert are $16/$18/$20 and may be purchased at the Southern Miss Ticket Office by calling 601.266.5418 or 800.844.8425.

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Hattiesburg, USM, Entertainment/Culture, Jay Dean, Symphony Orchestra, University of Southern Mississippi

26th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo Set for Feb. 18-19

A Bareback bronco rider at the St. Paul Rodeo ...

Image via Wikipedia

The “Greatest Show on Dirt,” otherwise known as the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo hosted by The Department of Recreational Sports, is coming to Hattiesburg Feb. 18 and 19, 2011.

Raymond Whitehead, M.D., orthopedic surgeon with Hattiesburg Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, will serve as Grand Marshal of this year’s event. Dr. Whitehead is a native of Hattiesburg, who received his medical degree at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, Ala. He completed a general surgery internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., followed by a fellowship in sports medicine, arthroscopy and arthroscopic reconstructive surgery at the Orthopaedic Research of Virginia in Richmond, Va.

Each year at the rodeo cowboys and cowgirls show off their elite skills in barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, and bull riding. The top riders qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo which is held in Las Vegas, Nev. The Hattiesburg rodeo is a fundraiser for student scholarships and professional development.

usm“We are fortunate that the rodeo continues to be produced by Smith, Harper and Morgan Rodeo, the producers of the Dixie Nationals and provider of livestock to the National Finals Rodeo,” said Sid Gonsoulin, associate vice president for student affairs at Southern Miss.”Because of the quality and consistency of a professionally produced PRCA/WPRA rodeo, we have been able to provide scholarships annually to Southern Miss students.”

Lecile Harries, six-time Pro Rodeo Clown of the Year, will be making an appearance at the rodeo this year. Lecile, a 50-year rodeo veteran, works nearly 125 performances a year at the world’s biggest rodeos. He got his start as a bullfighter in the 1950’s and 60’s and helped transform the sport from thrill show to the skillful art it is today. He has also worked on various TV shows including a regular role on “HEE HAW” and movies like “The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James” and “W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings” with Burt Reynolds.

“Lecile’s comedic mannerisms, acts and jokes are copied by clowns and showmen across the globe,” declared Bob Lowe, retired director of Southern Miss Dining and Grand Marshal of the 18th Annual Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo. “For nearly half a century, Lecile’s bullfighting and comedic ability have saved many a cowboy and brought smiles and laughter to millions of people. He is truly one of rodeo’s legends.”

As usual, the Southern Miss Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo will be held at the James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center on Highway 49 South. Rodeo tickets are available at TJ’s Western Ware on U.S. Highway 49 in Hattiesburg. Tickets are $10 and all seats are reserved.

The rodeo is sponsored by Coca-Cola, Southern Beverage, Comcast, B-95, McMullan Motors, Polk’s Meat Products, Keith’s Super Stores, Forrest General Hospital, Landry and Lewis Architects, Copy Cats Printing, The Hattiesburg American, and Southern Miss Recreational Sports.

Filed under: Featured, Hattiesburg, Lifestyle, Sports, USM, Coca-Cola Classic Rodeo, Comcast Corporation, Dixie Nationals, Forrest General Hospital, James Lynn Cartlidge Forrest County Multi Purpose Center, Landry Architects, Lewis Architects, McMullan Motors, Raymond Whitehead, Rodeo, Southern Miss, Sports, sports medicine

Band clinic brings musicians to PRCC

POPLARVILLE – Approximately 230 musicians from 23 South Mississippi schools will be on the Pearl River Community College campus this weekend for the annual PRCC Band Clinic.

The middle and high school students will divide into two bands for rehearsals Friday afternoon and night and again on Saturday. The bands will be presented in concert at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Olivia Bender Cafeteria in Crosby Hall.

The PRCC Symphonic Band will perform for the students at 6 p.m. Friday, and the PRCC JazzCats will play at 11 a.m. Saturday. Both performances will be in the cafeteria.

Clinicians are Sheily Bell, band director at Dutchtown High School in Giesmar, La., and Anna Schwartz, band director at Ocean Springs Middle School.

The clinic began in the 1950s as the Lumberton Band Clinic and  is the oldest annual clinic in the state. The clinic has been held at PRCC since 1991.

The public is invited to attend the Saturday concert.

Filed under: Arts, K-12, Pearl River, Crosby Hall, education, Pearl River Community College, POPLARVILLE

JCJC’s Theater Department presents: Little Shop of Horrors

ELLISVILLE – The Jones County Junior College theater department has been taken over by a unique plant, featured in this year’s show, “The Little Shop of Horrors”.  Audrey the plant will be looking for something other than plant food during the show’s three performances on Friday, February 18 and Saturday, February 19 at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, February 20 at 2:30 p.m. in the JCJC Fine Arts Auditorium.  Tickets are $5 and JCJC students can see the play free with their JCJC I.D.

JCJC sophomore from Yazoo City, John Wright plays Seymour, who talks to his new found plant which is apparently responsible for his new found fame and fortune in the musical, “Little Shop of Horrors”.

The musical centers around Seymour Krelbourn who is a poor young man working at a run-down flower shop on skid row. After discovering an alien plant following a total eclipse of the sun, Seymour’s life changes drastically.  He brings the plant to Mr. Mushnik’s store, and gains fame, fortune, and love. The only problem is that the plant feeds on human blood. Seymour and the plant make a deal which can only benefit one of them!

This year’s spring musical is a familiar favorite for JCJC alumna and musical theater producer and director, Nikki Johnson. As a JCJC student in 1996, Johnson discovered her passion for theater as the character, Ronette in “Little Shop of Horrors,” which was her first musical performance.

“The cast members and I had way too much fun and I was hooked after that!” said Johnson.  “I couldn’t wait to produce this show as a faculty member at JCJC.  Fortunately we had just the right students to fill the roles for the spring show.  It has really been a special year for me.”

The cast of characters include sophomore, John Wright of Yazoo City playing the lead role of Seymour and newcomer to the stage, sophomore Wynn Brewer of Leakesville has taken on the ditzy character of Audrey.

“She is nothing like me,” said Brewer.   “She has low self confidence, is very vulnerable and not modest.  I have really had to study this character!”

Audrey played by Wynn Brewer of Leakesville (right) turns down plans shy Seymour, played by JCJC sophomore, John Wright, has for a date.

Playing Seymour was also a challenge for Wright who is a musical veteran.  Last year in JCJC’s musical “You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown”, Wright played everyone’s favorite beagle, Snoopy.   This year’s role took a little research too, said Wright.

“Seymour is a shy, meek little guy which is very unlike me,” said Wright. “This has been my favorite musical I have ever done. It has been the most challenging and most exciting. I cannot wait to share our hard work with everyone!”

Two people will be playing the role of Audrey the plant.  Miles Alexander of Long Beach is the puppeteer and Dr. Mike Lopinto who works for the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music and is a special event manager, is the voice of the plant.  He is also “The Voice of the Pride” at the University of Southern Mississippi, and television commercials. Lopinto’s theatrical credits range from directing and choreographing to designing and acting with favorite roles including Cats (Old Deuteronomy), Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Cogsworth), Annie (Daddy Warbucks), Carousel (Mr. Snow), West Side Story (Doc, swing), Hello, Dolly! (Stanley), Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma!, Camelot, Paint Your Wagon, Guys and Dolls, Oliver!, The Music Man, Into the Woods, Bye Bye Birdie (music director), Barnum and Ragtime.

Starring as Seymour’s boss and adopted father, Mr. Mushnik is played by Hattiesburg’s Wesley Slade.  Matt Strickland of Petal plays the twisted dentist and Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin.  The two street-wise girls, Chiffon and Ronette are played by LaDonna Anderson of Vicksburg and Laurel’s Mary Laura Boyett.  Julia Donald of Quitman plays Crystal and Cameron Donovan of Madison is playing two parts, Bernstein and Martin.  Kayla Sims of Petal is Snip and Erin Davies of Raleigh plays Luce.  Rounding out the cast is Wesley Barnett of Laurel and Joshua Crosby of Moselle as two winos. Crosby is also cast as a customer along with Claire Lightsey of Petal.

Stage managers are Sarah-Jane Thaxton of Laurel and Khloe Folkers of Ocean Springs. Stage crew consists of Phillip Azbik from Homewood, Alabama, Kurt Davis of Pearl, Meagan Skaggs of Petal, Arnurcy Turner of Petal and Zadrian Cooley of Laurel.  For more information call the JCJC Fine Arts Department at 601-477-4094.

Filed under: Arts, Ellisville, Featured, Jones, Jones County, Laurel, Entertainment/Culture, JCJC Fine Arts Department, Jones County Junior College, Little Shop of Horrors, Theatre

Forrest General Chaplains to Host Monthly Clergy Prayer Breakfast

HATTIESBURG- Forrest General’s Pastoral Services staff will host their monthly clergy prayer breakfast on Thursday, February 17 in the Elm Room at the hospital from 7:45 until 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast for all officially registered members of the local clergy will be complimentary, courtesy of Forrest General. All members of the clergy should present their yellow clergy registration card to receive their breakfast. If you are a member of the clergy and do not have a card, please see the Information Hostess at the hospital front desk prior to breakfast to register.

This month, Dr. Clint White, Neonatologist, will attend to discuss the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit coming to Forrest General Hospital.  At the conclusion of each meeting, attendees will form small groups for prayer. The hospital’s Pastoral Services staff hopes that these meetings will assist area clergy in meeting the spiritual needs of congregations and the community.

All clergy members are asked to call or email to RSVP for the breakfast by contacting Brian Williamson, coordinator of Forrest General’s Pastoral Services, at 601-288-4227 or BAWilliamson@forrestgeneral.com.

Filed under: Hattiesburg, Religion, BAWilliamson@forrestgeneral.com, Clergy, Forrest, Forrest General, Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg

Florida Boys Fundraising Concert in Laurel

LAUREL – The Florida Boys, an award-winning Southern Gospel quartet will present a fundraisng concert for the Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 25.

The concert, which is free to the public, will be held at West Laurel Baptist Church, 1400 W. 5th St. Local pianist Andrew Ishee is slated to emcee the program, as well as provide entertainment. Another local favorite, Houston Road Boys, are also scheduled to perform.

The Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council is an organization that seeks to combat illiteracy in Jones County and surrounding areas. Statistics show that there are a number of people who cannot read at all or who are reading at a very low level. There are others who can read a little, but cannot read well enough to fill out a job application.

Proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase reading material and other supplies. Businesses, churches and other organizations are asked to make donations that will be used to aid the work of the council, as well as cover concert expenses.

Tickets are available at Bancorp South in Ellisville, Wells Pharmacy in Laurel, Jones County Baptist Association, West Laurel Baptist Church, Life Church and Pine Belt Education Center.

For additional information, phone the Pine Belt Education Center at 601-649-4141.

Filed under: Ellisville, Jones County, Laurel, Lifestyle, Schools, Ellisville, First Citizens Bancorporation Inc., Jones County, Jones County Baptist Association, Life Church, Pine Belt Adult Literacy Council, Pine Belt Education Center, Wells Pharmacy

Concert Features Russia’s Chamber Orchestra Kremlin

One of Russia’s leading chamber orchestras will perform on stage in Hattiesburg, Miss., on Tuesday, Feb. 15, as part of The University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music’s Connoisseurs Series.

Founded in 1991 and led by Misha Rachlevsky, Chamber Orchestra Kremlin has performed more than 1,400 concerts in 24 countries throughout Europe, North and South America and the Far East. Comprised of some of Russia’s finest young string players, the ensemble is known for its warmth and high energy that will stay with listeners long after the last note is played.

“Russia is popularly known for two things – its rockets and its violins,” wrote Swedish newspaper reviewer Andresen Dagbladet. “The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin is renowned for the latter, but their music will take you soaring as if somehow there is a connection to the former.”

This special event will feature works by Mozart, Schoenberg and Schubert.

“They are an extraordinary musical ensemble and we are very lucky to have them in our area,” said Dr. Jay Dean, music director for The University of Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra. “Their playing is exquisite and this is truly a not to miss event. This is the first Russian string ensemble to be here in over 15 years.”

Chamber Orchestra Kremlin has recorded more than 30 CDs, receiving widespread international acclaim and awards such as the Diapason d’Or France, Critics Choice in London’s Gramophone and in the New York Times, Record of the Year in Hong Kong and others.

The Connoisseurs Series was created to add to the already rich line-up of guest stars and large ensembles in the Southern Miss School of Music. The diverse series of chamber music is programmed to be as accessible to as many people as possible.

Other ensembles in the Connoisseurs Series include Vogler String Quartet on March 20 at First Presbyterian Church and Imani Winds on April 10 at the Hattiesburg Train Depot. The series is sponsored by Partners for the Arts.

The Chamber Orchestra Kremlin concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Bennett Auditorium. Tickets may be purchased by calling the Southern Miss Ticket Office at 601.266.5418.

Filed under: Arts, Featured, Hattiesburg, USM, Entertainment/Culture, Hattiesburg Train Depot, Music, Southern Miss Ticket Office, Southern Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Music, Vogler String Quartet

WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL ART COMPETITION

High School Art Competition award-winning students: Amanda Blakeney, Katrina Coker, Kristel Rodriguez, Phelan Harris, Jenny Nguyen, Stefani Cayten, and Zina Brown.

William Carey University hosted the Second Annual High School Art Competition in the Lucile Parker Gallery on Saturday, February 5. The exhibition gave area high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to showcase their talents and compete for scholarships. Additionally, students competed for the President’s Purchase Award, a work chosen by Dr. Tommy King, president of WCU, to become part of the Lucile Parker Gallery teaching collection.

Shelby Allen, a junior from West Jones High School, won Best in Show for her piece entitled “Avatar.” Phelan Harris, a junior at Presbyterian Christian High School, won first place for his piece entitled “Still Life.” Amanda Blakeney, a senior at West Jones High School, won second place, as well as the President’s Purchase Award, for her piece entitled “Pink Lilly.” Stefani Cayten, a senior at Purvis High School, won third place for “Ancestral Oath.” Katrina Coker, a senior at West Jones High School, won Judge’s Favorite for her piece “Colorful Flowers.” In addition, the following students received Honorable Mention awards: Haley Ford, a senior at Purvis High School: Jenny Nguyen, a senior at Presbyterian Christian High School; Omar Rivas, a senior at Collins High School; Kristel Rodriguez, a junior at West Jones High School; and Zina Brown, a senior at Hattiesburg High School.

Forty students from the following high schools participated in the competition: Collins High School, Hattiesburg High School, Mt. Olive High School, Presbyterian Christian High School, Purvis High School, Seminary High School, and West Jones High School. Local artist Kym Garraway judged the competition. The event was co-directed by Chatham Meade, Lucile Parker Gallery curator and WCU art instructor, and Dr. Read Diket, WCU professor of art and education.

“Our aim with this exhibition is to recognize the voices of young artists by contributing to their higher education and by hosting an exhibit that shows a diversity of talent,” Meade said.

Filed under: Arts, Hattiesburg