The relationship between faculty and students is a crucial one that fosters the sense of respect and trust that allows for students to gain the most from their training. The faculty strongly supports the following responsibilities:

• Creating a safe classroom environment. Especially in a genre such as theatre that inherently involves some very intense and personal emotions, it is crucial that faculty fosters safe learning where students can comfortably take risks. Part of creating a safe classroom is the dedication to getting to know students as individuals, and recognizing that they each have contributions to make to the class.

• Respecting diversity. The faculty is committed to recognizing and addressing diversity in the classroom, knowing that a diverse classroom provides opportunities for increased learning. Students are also expected to respect diversity in their fellow classmates.

• Encouraging students to take responsibility for their own learning and education. The faculty sees its teaching role to be a guide, a conduit—encouraging students to grab the reins and continue their learning outside of the classroom. There are high expectations regarding student work and participation—with a firm belief that students get out of a situation what they put into it, and the faculty therefore demands that the students be active learners.

MEET THE FACULTY

	Bearden, Julie Assistant Professor of Music Music Theatre Specialist BM Shorter College and MM University of Georgia jbearden@shorter.edu Read more
	Newman, Kathy Assistant Professor of Theatre M.F.A in Theatre Performance, The University of Southern Mississippi 706-233-7282 knewman@shorter.edu Read more

RECENT GUEST ARTISTS

Sandy Ernst, Associate Artistic Director, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre

Brent Hazelton, Artistic Associate, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre

Donald Sage Mackay, Los Angeles based film, television, and stage actor

Georgia Stitt, Nationally acclaimed and award winning musical director, composer and lyricist

Justin Murdock, actor/dancer and alumnus, Disney featured dancer

Robert Farley, Artistic Director, Georgia Ensemble Theatre

Giancarlo Solinas, renowned hip hop dancer and choreographer

Pasek and Paul, nationally acclaimed musical writing team

John Bucchino, award winning cabaret song writer

Dave Clemmons and Rachel Hoffman, Casting Directors, Dave Clemmons Casting

Jared Bradshaw, actor and alumnus, Jersey Boys and Forbidden Broadway

David Alford, Artistic Director, Tennessee Repertory Theatre

Dave Clemmons and Rachel Hoffman, Casting Directors, Dave Clemmons Casting

Joy Hermalyn, Broadway, national tour, and opera performer

Jenn MacQueen, Atlanta-based choreographer & director

Freddie Ashley, Literary Manager, The Alliance Theatre

Chris Ekhorn, Atlanta-based actor

Shah Bassery, Latin dance choreographer

Nakeisha Daniel, choreographer and alumna

Jared Bradshaw, actor and alumnus, Forbidden Broadway

Jeremy “Woody” Woods, actor and alumnus, national tour of Grease

Aaron McAllister, Musical Director

Doug Berky, Mime and Dramatist