Enter Salisbury’s soulful songbird, Micah Cottingham. In this follow up, we explored how she has grown since our first encounter with the Salisbury native.

Now in her junior year at Catawba College, Micah wishes to send her music into to the world with the goal that it will touch someone in some way. The soulful singer blends the styles of Jazz and Acoustic Rock into a harmonious mix that is truly one of a kind. Coming from a musical family, Micah expressed that her love for music was not merely a hobby but a passion that was rooted into her from birth. A smile came upon her face as Micah spoke of the love and passion that her family exhibits, “My mom loves music though she has never performed it. My brother, he plays and he sings but he’d never tell you that” and her late father from whom her passion was sparked from, “Actually, my dad was a singer/ songwriter. He wrote a few songs back in the sixties and seventies that were on the radio and ever since I was young I have been surrounded by music.”

Though Micah contributes her interest in music to her family, she states the inspiration behind her music was driven from her experiences growing up. “A lot of stuff people my age don’t get a chance to go through or just don’t experience till they are older.” She uses these experiences to craft songs that people from all backgrounds can relate to.

Her music can be compared to Blue-Eyed Soul musicians such as John Mayer and Natasha Beddingfield, with clean memorable instrumentation providing the perfect lining for her delicately sung lyrics of love, honesty, and life. With a voice so light, yet so defined; she entrances audiences with lulling lyrics that speak every emotion Micah wishes to convey. “As an artist I’m very emotionally open. I don’t hold back much, very blunt. But as a person you would think I am very reserved. So as an artist it is a very open slate.” And it is that openness which draws people to her music.

At Catawba, Micah majors in popular music and has been involved in everything from The Vernaculars bands to the Catawba Singers. This is a testament to her musical diversity, as it uncommon to find musicians who practice genres so completely opposite of one another.  However, she makes it work for her, listening to what her heart tells her to do rather than the opinions of others. When asked what the term “Own the Mic” meant to her, she replied “It means do your own thing. Do you own thing and stick to it and don’t be shy about it. It doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks, just stick to your guns.”

As for long term goals, Micah stated how she wanted her music to be a beckon of hope for people in the world, “I’d like it to be something international. I want to help people. I mean I love singing and playing for myself, but I also want to help others; to be a vessel for them.”

What’s next for the songbird, only the time will tell. But it is known for certain that Micah Cottingham is a strong, passionate musician who sticks to her beliefs no matter what… and she Owns the Mic.

Iliana Rivera is, as she describes herself, someone who really likes to have fun and loves to sing. Hailing from Burlington, NC, she is a free spirited, fun-loving young woman who aspires to obtain a career in theatre. The youngest of four children, Iliana demonstrates a wisdom and independence that is rarely seen from the “youngest” sibling. She credits this to her parents, whom she said laid the foundation for her character. “Whatever dreams I ever wanted to do, they were always there to support me. But, they were always there to bring me back down to earth and show me the reality in things,” she said.

“All I really want to do is make music in some way in the world. I’d rather do what I love than be miserable all the time.” It is that love for music that steered Iliana to pursue the art of musical theatre. Throughout her first two years in high school, her main focus was volleyball. In fact, she did not become serious with her passion until the end of her sophomore year of high school. “I’ve only been doing theater for roughly three years,” she chuckled. And, even though a life in theatre was not her childhood dream so to say, it is the dream of the young adult that she has grown to be.

She explained that she did not have any particular actor or actress in theatre to serve as an inspiration to her, but the love of performing fuels her passion. It was that very passion which led her to decide to major in musical theatre at Catawba College. When asked why she chose Catawba over any other school, she stated, “As soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like home.” She described the welcoming feeling she received from the students at Catawba, whom she barely knew, and that it surprised her how friendly and stress-free everyone seemed to be on campus.

Now, in her freshman year at Cat-U, Iliana will have the opportunity to star in the semester musical Huckleberry Finn, the major musical of the year, held at Keppel Auditorium. When asked what she was most excited for, in terms of being cast, she explained, “I am excited just to see how good it is to perform in a musical. When I came to visit, I saw Hello Dolly!, and I said, ‘I want to be in a production like that’.” She then went on to say, “I hope to influence someone coming to see the show, maybe a perspective to go (say)…I want to be here because of this.”

Not only is Iliana an active member of the Catawba theatre program, but she is also a member of the “all girl group” Le Femme: a power house of musical divas who follow the motto that girls can rock just as much as guys. Iliana was the only freshmen to make the cut for the popular band, comprised of veterans from the popular music bands of The Vernaculars (the small ensembles of music business). She says, “Well, seeing as I have never worked with a band, it definitely helped me grow as a musician… to hear when to come in, and to hear the beats actually behind me. Working with Le Femme has been a lot of fun, and they’re really nice and really funny. At first, I thought it were gonna be really intimidating and they weren’t gonna be very nice, but they are some of the nicest people I have ever met.”

With this involvement in such a know group, the question rose about Iliana’s interest in a possible career in music. And though she admits that she would love to potentially venture more into music, theatre stills stands as her first passion. Therefore, she intends to put her main energy into developing a career in acting that she could be happy with. “My long-term goals in a perfect world would be to make it on Broadway. But, I do understand that… that may not happen. So I would just love to travel with any company in New York or Kentucky or anywhere there is a reputable theatre program.”

It is clear that Iliana knows how far she has come and knows exactly where she is going. And, regardless of how far theatre may take her, she finds joy in knowing that she is doing what is close to her heart. Iliana Rivera is sure to be someone to take up the spotlight in theatres worldwide.

It tells a story of three sisters; all daughters of a pastor who; through faith, love, and self forgiveness,  make their way through different adversities. Daughters of the King is a spiritual musical set to scores with different styles such as jazz, gospel, R&B, and so forth. Douglas states “Many women have come to believe that our negative experiences determine who we are… God spoke powerfully to me in reminding me who I am in his eyes – a Daughter of the King.”

The musical is a benefit for Dove’s Nest, a Charlotte Rescue Mission program that provides a strong Christian environment to help women overcome substance addictions. The cast of the musical will be all volunteer but it is for a very good cause and will be a lot of fun.

For those who may be interested in auditioning for Daughters of the King: they are seeking lead & understudy actors who are STRONG vocalists. Also, they are seeking strong vocalists (male and female) to sing in a choir which will perform with the actors (no acting required for the choir). Some light, simple choreography is required for speaking roles, so ability to “move” is a must.  However, no formal dance training is required.

People auditioning must be available for weekly rehearsals starting in February 2012 through the show opening on Sunday, May 13, 2012.  For speaking parts, please prepare a 2-minute monologue and be ready to perform 2 songs (a Capella) that showcases your vocal ability. Also, you will also be asked to do a reading from the production’s script.  Lastly, please bring a head shot or other photo of yourself. For more information, visit http://dokthemusical.com/

This is a good opportunity to showcase what Catawba has to offer OUTSIDE of the campus! If you have time and/or are interested, please come out and support this very inspiring and outstanding musical!

One of the most impacted communities on Catawba’s campus has no doubt been the theatre department. The theatre department has forgone many changes recently, in so many areas. The most recent changes started with Dr. Woodrow Hood, former Dean of the School of Performing Arts leaving Catawba and filling in as interim dean, Dr. Barry Sang. This impacted the theatre community in a drastic way. Woody was cherished by many faculty members and students and a lot were sad to see him go. Little did the theatre students know there was more change coming their way…

Just this semester the theatre department completely revamped the one credit hour course, applied theatre, Which is a course required for the majority of all theatre majors throughout their time here at Catawba. This course is the course that basically runs the theatre program and gives the hard-working students hands on experience in theatre productions here on campus. With the loss of Woody, the theatre department hired two new helpful hands, Craig Kolkelback, and Katie Hoirney. Craig takes the helm as Scene shop manager and Katie taking the Assistant Costume shop manager position. The both of them have been great assets to the students and the theatre overall.

The theatre family also brought in two new babies! Emmaline Elizabeth Meyers, the daughter of professor Beth Homan, and Odin Baer Dougherty, son of professor Erin Dougherty. Everyone was so thrilled to have these new bundles of joy and welcome them both to the theatre family, along with the “fresh faces” this year and guest artist director Ray Collins who completely changed the way a first year showcase is traditionally done here at Catawba, and with great success!

Unfortunately, the theatre department will wish Professor Dayna Anderson farewell next semester as she leaves on sabbatical. Former Dean of the School of performing arts Jim “Epp” Epperson will be filling in as director of The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later for her. There will also be another guest director, Craig Kolkelback, who will be kicking off next years season with Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Also coming up next year is a Musical Theatre Ensemble course helmed by professor Missy Barnes. This class is slated to work on a musical theatre showcase and then tour locally.

With so much change happening in this close knit department, I felt it was only necessary to ask the members in this department what their thoughts were:

I first talked to professor Linda Kesler who said that with the dynamic of the theatre “there will always be transition. It’s the way the world goes round!” Linda proclaimed with a chuckle. “And if academy wasn’t changing what relevance would we have and how could we benefit our students?” is Linda’s question. I say that question is something to think about. I asked Linda what she thought was something our department could continue to improve on and work towards and her response was “Balance.” Well, amen to that!

I also wanted to get some of the students input and feelings on the changes we are going through in the theatre department. Jamie Caputo says she feels “we’re moving forward and things will be better for the students and though we have a lot of work to be done we can do it because we are so close knit and we can handle the transition.”

Ashley Jackson said “I’m excited about the transitions! As a transfer student and seeing how things were last year to seeing how they are now, I think things are so much better and they can only improve from here.”

I also wanted to get a senior theater student’s view so I asked Kat Campagna how she felt about the changes in the theatre department. “As a graduating senior I know coming back to Catawba, it’ll be a different place. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though. I think the transitions we’re making will only make us a stronger department and I have a lot of faith in the underclassmen to continue successfully .” I also talked to senior Robin Tynes, President of the theatre club, Blue Masque and a strong voice for the students in the theatre department. “I’m excited about the changes. I know they will be hard for some people but a lot can come out of these changes. I’m also grateful for the changes in the music department with having a choir with such a positive atmosphere… “Justin is so wonderful and willing to work with the theatre department. With people leaving, I think we can look to hire others who give our department what we need, especially someone well-versed in dance and musical theatre in general because it’s one of our biggest majors. I know people can be a bit resistant to change but I think the changes being made are for the best and this will all be a great experience.”

It seems like a lot of the theatre students are staying positive and “holding onto their seats” as these changes in the department comes their way. “I think these changes will be very beneficial and sometimes it takes a bad situation to turn into something better than what was before.” Katie Hopkins said. “It’s a bit scary but it’s what we need to grow as a department and it will be for the better.”

There are so many positive opportunities coming to the theatre department. The students on campus are certainly blessed to be working in such a tight knit department that is sure to help them grow and learn from experience. Like Linda said “Change is the way the world works!” So get ready theatre folks! You’re in for a heck of a ride!

This year the music department of Catawba filled the weekend with music, intertwining the musical festivities with the planned events of Homecoming. With sound from choral composer such as Hrusovsky to the great of the 70s such as Kansas and Earth, Wind, and Fire, it was a can’t miss weekend.

Saturday afternoon featured a match up at Shufford Stadium between our Catawba Indians football team and the Wingate Bulldogs .

To kick off the game the Catawba Singers graced the crowd with a riveting rendition of the National Anthem and following the Singers came the Catawba Pride Marching Band, performing numbers such as Sway by Michael Buble. 

Then, immediately following the football game, the Vernacular All Stars rendered an unplugged performance for the alumni just moments before the basketball team delivered an energizing and fun game for spectators to see. Later in the night, the music continued on as the Vernacular All Stars made their full public debut and delivered a out of this world tribute to the 70s touching on classics such as Sweet Home Alabama, Horse with No Name, and I Want You Back. More music ensued as the Catawba Singers performed two moving compositions for the Sunday morning chapel service dedicated to the Catawba family. Wonderful music filled the air during the service centered around a a powerful sermon, led by Catawba’s Chaplin, Dr. Ken Clapp.

Lastly, the Board of Trustees along with President Oxendine held a dinner to honor the services of Linda Hamilton in her years spent at Catawba. The Vernacular All Stars were called on once again to deliver another unplugged performance, with Sophomore Olivia Albertson performing an original song of her own.

All together it was a weekend full of joy, remembrance, and love to which the Music Department of Catawba played the soundtrack.

As I Lay Dying is an all American novel, written by William Faulkner. The play adaptation being shown right now was written by Catawba’s very own Dr. Janice Fuller. The director helming the production is Associate Theatre Arts professor Dr. Beth Homan. The two of them started their collaboration on making this play come to life, years ago and now they have it. This show has been very dear and special to all involved but especially to these two courageous and brilliant women.

“Being a part of this process has definitely opened my eyes and widened my artistic view.” says ensemble member Jered Shults. “I’m so glad and thankful to have been able to work with the cast and technicians, and other collaborators so closely and to have really built something special and that is our own.”

The As I Lay Dying Ensemble includes:

Director: Beth Homan

Playwright: Janice Fuller

Stage manager: Maggie Truxell

Assistant stage manager: Katie Johnson

Addie Bundren: Robin Tynes

Anse Bundren:  Greg Stoughton

Cash Bundren: John Millbank

Darl Bundren: Jesse Siak

Jewel: Chris Herring (Blue Masque Guest Artist)

Dewey Dell Bundren: Sydney Berk

Vardaman Bundren: Jodye Carrol

Tull: Aaron Alderman

Cora Tull/Mrs. Armstid: Donna Steele

Peabody: Rayshaun Sandlin

Whitfield/Macgowan: Jered Shults

Moseley/Samson: Jeffrey Salerno

After being together for a full eight months, which is completely out of the traditional allotted time for a production, the ensemble has become much closer through many discoveries about theatre and about themselves. They have discovered unity, collaboration, and have built their very little own family.

Come see what this family has to offer! As I Lay Dying will be running this week starting Tuesday, September 27 to Saturday October 1, 2011. Jered Shults says “It’s a very unique and amazing show that you don’t want to miss!”

The next event on the Blue Masque schedule was the new members “fall rights” that night! “Fall rights” is a fun ceremony event that inducts new members into the club while remembering members that have come and gone and those who are moving the club forward now. The event is meant to be a blast for all participating and it’s usually a great success!

This years Blue Masque President is Robin Tynes, the Vice President is Quinn McRae, the Secretary is his twin brother Zach McRae, the Treasurer is Bristol Glass, and the Historian is Jodye Carroll. The Blue Masque also has a Social chair and Service chair and those positions belong to Mackenzie Westbrook, and Jeffrey Salerno. Along with the board  there are senators for every class. Michelle Newberger (freshman class), Allison Andrews and Jordan Clifton (sophomore class), Kara Procell and Maggie Truxell (junior class), and Annabelle Prince and Jered Shults (senior class).

All of these people along with the club members and club advisor, Erin Dougherty, work hard to keep the Blue Masque, the longest running club on campus, active. The weekend ended with the annual fall picnic at Hurley Park. The Blue Masque members always get together to lounge around, play games, chat, and eat delicious food grilled by this years grillmasters Zach and Quinn McRae!

This past weekend was a great experience for new and old members alike. One thing it reminded everyone is that the Blue Masque is truly a family.

Janice and I talked about where she was on 9/11, what her poem is about, and how this poem came to existence.

“I was commissioned to write this poem in Wales during my fall 2001 sabbatical from Catawba College. The occasion was a joint poetry reading with Welsh poet Menna Elfyn on October 4, 2001, National Poetry Day, at an art gallery (Oriel Mostyn) in Llandudno in conjuction with the opening of an international exhibit on intimacy.”

“Going to Wales, I was leaving my kids and had just got into a relationship with a Welshman. It was a struggle between wanting what was best for my kids (even though I knew they were fine) and figuring out where this new relationship would go in Wales. I wrote the poem one week after the 9/11 attack. The poem was honestly a compilation and reflection of the time I spent in Wales and the experience I had taken from that venture.”

Dr. Fuller explained to me how she now felt about the poem and the recognition it is getting now.

“For quite a long time I had tried to avoid the poem simply because of where it comes from; the 9/11 attack, a bad relationship, and just a very personal time for me. When I was asked about the chance to submit this poem I looked back at it and was very proud of it. I remembered the main reason I wrote it and that was to forget differences in nationalities, sexualities, and race etc. It was to always remember to come to a common ground without war.”

We are so proud of Dr. Janice Fuller here at Catawba College.  Dr. Fuller’s stage adaptation of As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner will premiere on September 27, 2011 through October 1, 2011 here on campus in Hedrick Little Theatre.

Here is the link to “This Whistling Is for You There in the Dark.”

The Troupe consists of:

• Ryan Glidewell (Senior)
• Chris Clowers (Senior)
• Chris Herring (Senior)
• Katie Hauser (Senior)
• Robin Tynes (Junior)
• Tommy Hawfield (Sophomore)
• Sean Henderson (Sophomore)
• Sydney Berk (Sophomore)
• Jordan Clifton (Freshman)

During the show, the troupe played games and created the scenes right off the top of their heads. Basically, it’s just like that show that used to be on TV called “Whose Line Is It Anyway”. They also used suggestions thrown out by the audience, as well as making audience members participate in the games!

Games included: The Dating Game- with ‘beautiful bachelorettes’, Interrogation, Lines from our Pockets, No Hands, One Voice, and Dr. Know-It-All.

We look forward to more shows in the future from this talented bunch of improvers!

Directed by Professor Dayna Anderson, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” tells the story of a fat knight who has plans to seduce two lovely ladies in order to get close to their husband’s very deep pockets. Little does he know, Mistress Page and Mistress Ford are quick-witted women who swiftly devise a plan of their own to teach Falstaff a lesson. This rib-tickling classic is peppered with jealous husbands, feuding couples, love triangles and (of course) a Welshman, Frenchman, 19 women and 1 man. What are the odds?

Director Anderson suggests that right now, everyone needs a little comedy in our lives. She says, “The world is coming apart at the seams–an increasingly insane jumble of political over-reaction and lethal consequence. How perfect to present a merry play, abundant with humor, where there is room for magic, fantasy, and jolly treatment of serious ideas?”

Set in Elizabethan England, this was Shakespeare’s only play meant to be produced and performed in his own time. Having penned 38 plays and 154 sonnets, Shakespeare’s works are constantly being rediscovered and adapted. This piece is truly one of his hidden treasures, perfect for old lovers of the language as well as new Shakespeare audiences.

“The Merry Wives” acting company is made up of Aaron Alderman of Durham, proud to represent his kind as Falstaff, and 19 fabulous ladies including Bailey Buckner of John’s Island, S.C.; Jamie Caputo of Greensboro; Jodye Carroll of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; Carrie Foster of Baltimore, Md.; Bristol Glass of Concord; Katie Haeuser of Robert, La., Carrie Harris of Asheville; Katie Hopkins of Albemarle; Katie Johnson of Myersville, Md.; Yolanda McClure of Eden; Mary Alice Nichols of Conyers, Ga.; Annabelle Prince of Charlotte; Kara Procell of Bel Air, Md.; Collette Riddle of Roanoke, Va.; Donna Steele of Charlotte; Katherine Tierney of Smyrna, Ga.; Robin Tynes of Black Mountain; and Mackenzie Westbrook of Charlotte.

In addition to Director Anderson, the artistic staff consists of Professor David Pulliam, set designer; Zach McRae of Hendersonville, assistant set designer; Claire Robinson of Houston, Texas, costume designer; Vaughn Pollman of Overland Park, Kansas, lighting designer; Brooke Beall of Raleigh, assistant lighting designer; Professor Christopher D. Zink, technical director; Sean Henderson of Concord, assistant technical director; Jeffrey Salerno of Lake Mary, Fla., sound designer/engineer; Chelsey Lowery of Pembroke, makeup designer; Danielle Smith of Charlotte, makeup designer; Robin Tynes of Black Mountain, company dramaturg; Mary Alice Nichols of Conyers, Ga., period movement and combat consultant; Jodye Carroll, movement captain; and Mackenzie Westbrook of Charlotte as combat consultant.

The play’s production staff includes Dustin J. Sullivan of Monroe, stage manager; Katie Johnson of Myersville, Md. and Mackenzie Westbrook of Charlotte, assistant stage managers; Cassie Bell of Leonardtown, Md., properties manager; Jered Shultz of Sevierville, Tenn., charge scenic artist; Jake Krug of Concord, master carpenter; Quinn McRae of Hendersonville, master electrician; Tatianna Long of Kodiak, Alaska, first hand; Katie Higgins of Durham, front of house; Sydney Berk of Encino, Calif., publicity; Ka’Shara Davis of Charlotte, sound board operator; Kat Campagna of Watertown, Conn., light board operator; Sydney Carpenter of Mooresville and Ryan Kelley of High Point, wardrobe; and Brianna Gallagher of Hasbrouck Heights, N.J., Ashley Jackson of University Place, Washington, and Katie Marlowe of Newton,  dressers.

Following the Friday, April 8, performance, audience members are invited to a reception in Peeler Crystal Lounge honoring the college’s Elizabethan Scholar, Dr. Bethany Sinnott. Dr. Sinnott will retire from Catawba at the end of this academic year after almost 42 years of service to the institution.

Tickets for Catawba College’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” are $10 for adults and $8 for senior citizens and non-Catawba students. Group discounts are available. For more details, contact the Catawba College Theatre Box Office at (704) 637-4481, or buy tickets online at www.showtix4u.com.