River Campus celebrates its fifth season

This year marks the fifth anniversary for the Earl and Margie Holland School of Visual and Performing Arts. The school will host a celebration of art at the River Campus for all members of the community to enjoy.

The open house will be held Saturday, Sept. 17 and will be used as a way of creating community awareness of the River Campus.

"We're hoping to draw in new patrons and make more people in the community aware that we're here because, surprisingly, a lot of people are not aware that the River Campus is really here and what we do," River Campus box office manager Ellen Farrow said. "We have so many great shows that are here and not near enough people in the community are taking advantage of that and the great deals that we can offer them."

Rhonda Weller-Stilson, the interim director of the River Campus and associate dean of the school, said the open house will be a kick off for the rest of the season.

"We're just wanting to share with the community the talented students and faculty we have and what great art we're creating," Weller-Stilson said.

We're just very proud of where we've been these last few years and excited about this coming year. Many of us are stunned we're in our fifth year. I mean, we remember opening night. So it's just a celebration," Weller-Stilson said.

Weller-Stilson began working on planning the open house over the summer with assistant director Bob Cerchio and senior administrative assistant Theresa Messmer. The preparation for the event has now spread to all branches of the River Campus.

"I think it's been an outstanding collaboration," Weller-Stilson said. "It's more than met my expectations. People have really rallied behind this and they're excited to show what we do. And I'm serious, it's everybody, every group."

As of Aug. 31, 85 students were signed up to volunteer just in the theatre and dance department. That number was expected to rise and does not include the student volunteers from the art department or the music department.

Senior dance major Danielle Sampson will volunteer at the open house.

"It's a huge accomplishment for one, not just for us, but for the community. For other people who want to be in the arts and this performance department, it's a good time for them to come check us out," Sampson said.

The Department of Theatre and Dance will present stage-combat exercises on the lawn, where students will create the illusion of a physical brawl, live entertainment in the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall and pieces choreographed by guest artists and dance faculty in the dance studio. The Department of Music will present a jazz performance in the Gertrude L. Shuck Music Recital Hall and a cello group and steel drum ensemble also perform. The Department of Art will have artwork displayed and there will be tours of the art studios where students will be working. Various activities for children will also be held, including face painting and juggling.

"We have several goals on this," Weller-Stilson said. "Of course to bring the community together but our other goal is to get students from that campus [Southeast's main campus] over here because we want the students to be excited about it as well."

The open house will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the River Campus. The River Campus box office will be open throughout the afternoon for the public to purchase tickets for this season. Discounted tickets will also be available to all open house attendees.

"The fact that Southeast has actually dedicated this entire campus to the arts, it's a really incredible thing and it's a great opportunity for kids in this area," Farrow said.