College Spotlight

At the Judge’s Table
Evaluating student talent

A theatre major, Colin Morgan enjoys exploring the range of roles that a dramatic production demands. He has tested his talents in every phase, from directing and performing to preparing scenery, costumes, and props.

In the Black Box Theatre at the University Arts Center—the central focus for cultural productions fostered by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences—Morgan spoke about an opportunity to take a unique perspective on the challenges of mounting a theatrical production.

 “I was invited to be a judge at an annual competition for high school theatre students. It’s called District Thespians. Contestants present student-directed scenes—monologues, duets, ensembles—and they submit portfolios of scenery and costume design. I was picked to be one of three judges for student-directed scenes and ensembles. The stakes are significant. A group that’s graded ‘Superior’ can be nominated for the state competition, and then they’re up for big awards and scholarships.”

Morgan’s high school teacher nominated him as a judge. “I was nervous, maybe more than the students themselves,” he said. “But it was great because we had Q&A’s after the student-directed scenes. They also had to present a prompt book with research and blocking diagrams, and we graded them on all that.”

The competing schools were given a choice of six plays as sources for their presentations. Morgan was invited to be a judge only a week before the contest so he had to learn the plays quickly, reading them and researching online. As result of his efforts, he said, “I was able to ask the students technical questions about how they prepared to play roles with unusual demands.”

Once he relaxed into his role as a judge, he appreciated the give and take it allowed. “It’s nice to know that some of these students will walk away with new insights because of the judge’s feedback,” he said. “Also, I like to see other people’s work and think about how I’d tweak it.”

Morgan would be happy to serve as a judge again. “I came away not being so harsh on myself,” he observed. “I saw that these kids are using their imagination, making things work that we’re taught not to do. Some of the student directors had strong, original ideas for productions that I’m still thinking about. And next time I’d love to bring someone with me who would also like to be a judge sometime.”

For further information on the theatre major at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, go to www.undergrad.nova.edu/hum/thea.