Page 50 - NCAT Magazine Fall 2018

Support for N.C. A&T and theater arts students take part in several national and
its students comes from all international programs supported by subscribers.
around the world, but the
Theatre Arts Program gets
angel audiences right here in Clemente McWilliams ’88 has “I was employed at Salem A&T’s theatre arts program
most of its support from
wins national awards and
College in Winston-Salem,
been a season subscriber for
the Triad.
was recognized as the top
but I lived in Greensboro and
nearly 15 years.
have loved theater all my
undergraduate theater
Each year, students in
inveStorS the program participate “I wanted to expose my kids life,” she said. “Our program’s program for African
shows cover many issues
Americans.
to the performing arts and
in several exhibitions and
and topics that are relevant
what better way than to
shows that would be next
The investment the season
and timely. It helps one to
start at A&T,” he said. “(The
to impossible to produce
without the support of
not go unnoticed by theater
utilize the concepts from on
season subscribers. Theatre Arts Program) puts reflect and think of how to subscribers are making does
out top-notch performances
By Jordan M. Howse and at the end of the day, stage in the classroom.” peers or the program’s
season “Our season subscribers are it’s about the support and students.
like family,” said Tina Liggins, impact it has on these “It helps our students grow
subscribers are theatre manager in the students. It gives them emotionally and socially and “It’s uplifting and
the mainstay Department of Visual and confidence and inspires gives them the lifelong tools encouraging to know that no
Performing Arts. “They’re them to do what others to collaborate with others,” matter what show on what
of n.c. a&t’s like mothers, grandfathers, thought they couldn’t.” she said. “We should certainly day, somebody is going to
brothers all here to support continue to support that.” be there,” said Alexander
successful
our students and watch Liggins works hard to Albritton, a senior in the
theatre arts them flourish and grow.” ensure audiences—new and Kea also supports the program. “As students we
old—feel welcome at Paul program by requiring her don’t always acknowledge
program Season subscribers can Robeson Theatre. own students to see at least it, but we definitely know
purchase one to eight one show. how important season
tickets for each show “Art is a feeling, an emotion, subscribers are to us and the
of the season and get a love, especially for our Theater arts students take program. It’s them saying,
advance ticket reservations, season subscribers,” Liggins part in several national and ‘We believe in you.’”
preferred seating and their said. “Some have been international programs
names printed in each of around since I was a kid and supported by subscribers.
the season’s playbills. They we sometimes capture new Students and faculty have
are also honored as special subscribers through them. worked with Guilford
guests at events, receptions There are many people out County Schools and Triad
and the campus version there who love the arts.” Stage to participate in the
of the Tony Awards, August Wilson Monologue
the Robeys. Competition in New York
One of those people is City, study abroad in Britain
“A lot of our subscribers Cathy Kea, professor of to learn some of the classics
want to feed into these special education at A&T. like Shakespeare, as well
students’ lives,” Liggins said. She has been a patron of as travel for workshops
“They aren’t necessarily Paul Robeson Theatre since and intensives.
buying into our season but 1986, before she worked at
into our students. They come the university.
to the black box theater and
see the student-directed
performances. They’re so
supportive of them at every
level, not just the main
stage.”

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