Good works

Some time ago, NGU theatre professor Corrie Danieley invited me to participate in a 90-minute audition prep for the eight students who’ll represent her program at SCTA in Columbia on Saturday.

SCTA is a state-level gateway to SETC. SETC, in turn, is one of the largest unified auditions in the country. A giant job fair for college age actors, hundreds and hundreds of them, from all over the Eastern Seaboard.

Having worked both sides of the audition table at a fair number of unifieds over the years, I felt that I had something to contribute, so I accepted Corrie’s invitation and did the deed this afternoon. Equally motivating for somebody like me whose rural public school residency memories aren’t among his most cherished (are among his most suppressed, actually), was the opportunity to work with NGU theatre students. Taken as a species, they’re about the most reliably delightful mixture of talent, preparation and receptiveness a person could ask for. And did I mention that they’re nice? Genuinely nice? That’s huge. Personally and professionally.

The scenic drive to NGU on this nippy fall day; the hour spent with a new book and a not unlikeable mocha latte at the cafe beside NGU’s acting studio; the enthusiastic willingness of those in attendance to try new things at the 11th hour … Great Caesar’s Ghost, all my weeks should begin on such a positive note.

Jay Spivey’s “Last Word” column, filmed and edited last week for the November issue of fête, reminds me of my oft-forgot conviction that being an instrument of positive change is its own reward.

Today’s trip to Tigerville being a good example.