Dutch Hoggatt, Ph.D. Asso. Prof, Comm. Bill Hollaway, Ph.D. Prof , Music Jeff Hopper, Ph.D. Prof , MUSic Mike james, Ph.D. Asso. Prof, Comm ., Dept. Chair Robin Miller, M.F.A. Asso. Prof, Comm ., Dir/lbeater Sharon Pitt, M.A. iltsI. , Comlll. j ohn Ryan, Ph.D. Prof , COt/mi . Arthur Shearin, D.M.A. Prof , MuSiC, Dept . Chair, Dir/Co ncert Choir jack Shock, Ed.D. Asso. Prof, Comm . Daniel Tullos, Ph.D. Prof , Com", ., Dir/Com",. Disorders Neva White, M.M. Asso. Prof , Music 'Theater promisespotential; clderhostel draws diversified audience Communication H arding Un ive rsity's thea ter program has been preparing to open the currain on a new era of theater education. Faculty and s taff are striving to balance Harding's strong theatrica l traditions with modern-day demands to provide students with mo re of th e know ledge a n d experience they need to succeed in theater. According to Dr. Morris Ellis, professo r of commu nicati on , opportuni ties for involvemen t included the annual Homecoming musical , the Pied Pipers traveling children's theater troupe, one-act plays, a production du ring Spring Sing weekend and Summer Dinner Theatre. Marcus Nee ly, who has been involved in the Homecoming musical , Pi ed Pipers and man y oth er productions, said tha t Harding's theate r prog ram had several advantages due to its small size but could also be improved in some ways. "At Harding I've had the opporrunity to be included in eve!), aspect of theater, " he said. "I would li ke to see more people teaching different kinds of classes so that studentscan gain exposure to several different opinions. " In recent years, Ellis and others have seen the need to modify the way classes are structured. Ellis explained that the decision to modi fy came from a comb inat ion of suggestions. "Some of our changes are because people have come back and given suggest ions on how to improve; part of them involve playing catch-up and part of them are the result of us having the equipment to do what we need to do ," he said . The majority of the changes wi ll come from modifying and combining existing courses. "For example, we are taking the lighting and set design course and the costume design course and making them a three-hour design class," Ellis said "We are excited about the modifications in the program and their potential to help the department grow. " - Scott Loftis Music Each yea r at Hard ing, hundreds of new students parricipate in a special program ca ll ed Elderhostel. According to Dr. Warren Casey, a professor of music who teaches Elde rhostel classes, most of the people attracted to Elderhostel are "retired and looking to pick up information in an area where they have an interest. " . "The Elde rhostel students are interested because they are all here on a volunteer basis. They all want to be in the class, " Dr. Jeff Hopper, a music professor who co-teaches Elderhostel with Casey, said. "It is really exciting to work with people who want to learn." The average Elderhostel class has about40 students from all around the country. "Every session is like a kaleidoscope of people that come from different backgrounds," Hopper said. "They have a youthful spirit, a vigorous approach to life and a sense of humor. " Thi s yea r marked the 10th Elderhos tel in whi ch Casey and Hopper have taught together. The ir program, entitled "Opera , Musical Drs. Warren Casey and Jeff Hopper conduct an Elderhostel session. Casey andHopper have conducted 10 ofthese sessions for the Elderhostel students. Photo by Kristi Burns. Theater and All ThatJazz," provided 21 hours of exposure to lecture, recordings and live performances, many by Harding students. Stacey Randolph, a senior at Harding who has performed for Elderhostel seven times, sa id, "You are no more than an arm's length from the people, and you can see their reactions on their faces. Some laugh, some are quiet, but each group is different. " Casey said he feel s that they have educated sen ior citi zens while exposing them to Harding. "We have introduced hundreds of people that didn' t know Harding to the campus, increased the recognition ofHard ing's name and made our students come alive in the consciousness of a lot of these folks. I think that is the biggest impact that we have - tha t our Elderhostel students a re impressed with the calibe r of students they meet here," Casey said . - SCOtt Loftis Academics 67 t1iil
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