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Pitt County students spend day immersed in theater arts, dance
A day created especially for theater arts and dance drew about 130 students from across Pitt County to East Carolina University on March 8.
ECU faculty, staff, students and alumni led sessions ranging from ballet to costume design. Pitt County students had full access to classrooms and studios in Messick and McGinnis theatres since ECU was on spring break.
“I think a lot of people would love theater if they knew more about it,” said Anna Eagleston, an ECU junior theatre for youth major who helped with the day. “We always need more theater students. There’s something for everyone.”
ECU senior Brianna Gamble, who is student teaching at D.H. Conley High School, is reflected in a mirror in Messick.
In one session, students toured the costume shop, which was filled with renderings and works in progress for the upcoming ECU production of Spring Dance 2019. Delta Childers-Smith, assistant professor of costume design and stage makeup, showed the students one technique for distressing a dress for a particular scene.
Following the tour, Childers-Smith challenged the visiting students to create a costume for a character of their choice made only with paper – all in about 20 minutes.
“The biggest thing is to help them understand they are capable of being designers,” Childers-Smith said. “They get a little afraid if they can’t sew or draw. But they have imagination.”
One group quickly talked through ideas for a “SuperMom” costume with a cape and belt. “And it’s International Women’s Day,” said one student.
Darnasia Maye, a senior at North Pitt High School, said it was her first time attending the event. Earlier, she had learned how to stack a marshmallow on noodles in the scene shop. “This whole thing has been really fun,” she said.
Students were purposely grouped with others from different high schools. “They are learning to work together, collaborate and listen to each other,” Childers-Smith said.
The day – now in its fourth year – brought together students to provide an “all-county” event similar to chorus and band. Students had the chance to collaborate, think critically and create with other students who they normally don’t have the chance to learn from and work with, organizers said.
In the dance studio, Kimberly Quick-Blount, a dance teacher at Wellcome Middle School, said her students were given the opportunity to accept some challenges and to learn about different styles of dance they may not see on a daily basis.
“It’s really important to have that type of opportunity and experience,” Quick-Blount said. Some of her students will be heading to high school in the fall, where they will be pushed out of their comfort zone to meet new students and friends, she said.
Zaniaya Ewing, a senior at North Pitt, said she had learned some new techniques in dance class. “It’s a great experience,” said her classmate Katelyn Carmon.
Marissa Nesbit, ECU assistant professor and dance program coordinator, said the students appeared to be challenged and inspired. “I hope they are taking away a sense of how big and diverse dance is, and the importance of studying with different teachers and being adaptable,” Nesbit said.
She commended Pitt County dance teachers Ashley Cartledge of North Pitt and Jill Williams of D.H. Conley for organizing the day, which included sessions in ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern/creative movement.
Julie George, theatre teacher at North Pitt, organized the theatre arts sessions, which included voice and articulation, improvisation, design and production and costume design. In addition, a Storybook Theatre presentation led by ECU professor Patch Clark was held for Wahl-Coates Elementary School of the Arts students.
The following schools attended: A.G. Cox Middle, Ayden-Grifton High, D.H. Conley, E.B. Aycock Middle, Farmville Central High, Hope Middle School, J.H. Rose, North Pitt, South Central, Wahl-Coates and Wellcome Middle.
High school students dance under the direction of ECU senior Donterreo Culp on March 8.