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Student Opportunities
From the day you walk on campus opportunities are available for
active involvement in your craft and with the campus at large. To
enhance your academic and overall college experience, you are encouraged
to seek opportunities outside of the division in other areas of interest
across campus; for more information about campus-wide student
opportunities please visit: www.lmc.edu/studentinvolvement. Within the
division we offer a multitude of opportunities outside of the classroom
for you to explore your interests and your future career! Some of these
are listed below:
 Work
Study Positions: Lees-McRae College offers several work
scholarships to students who demonstrate a strong work ethic. Students
participating in the Work Study Program can be found working in almost
any area of technical theatre, management or leadership. Examples of
these positions include Office Manager, Tech Assistant, Publicity
Assistant, Costume Coordinator, Team Supervisor, Sound Technician,
Summer Theatre Assistant, Career Resource Assistant, etc.
Auditions for Professional Companies:
Engaging in regular auditions and interviews is part of being involved
in the field of performing arts as a working artist, technician or
manager. The Division of Performing Arts is committed to keeping
students abreast of local, regional and summer stock auditions. You will
find this information located in the studio building. Announcements are
made at regular Performance and Production Labs. Students regularly
attend the North Carolina Theatre Conference, United Professional
Theatre Auditions, and Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Auditions for Academic Productions:
In addition to the associations and companies listed above, the Division
of Performing Arts holds auditions for all of its productions and
concerts throughout the year. Click Auditions in the menu to your right
for more information.
 Community
Partnerships and Service: Building community
partnerships in the arts is crucial to the success of any arts program.
The Division of Performing Arts is proud to be positioned as an arts,
cultural and entertainment resource for the communities of Avery County,
Banner Elk and Watauga County. The Division maintains strong community
partnerships with the following agencies and institutions: Avery Arts
Council, Avery County Public Schools, Blue Ridge Community Theatre,
Cannon Memorial Hospital, Extraordinary Players, Planetree Healing Arts
Program, School of Arts-Liberal Arts-Technology, Town of Banner Elk,
Town of Beech Mountain, Yellow Mountain Enterprises, and area churches.
Students regularly engage in experiential learning opportunities,
working as volunteers in a variety of community and service
organizations.
Field Trips: During the
course of an academic year, faculty and staff will frequently take
students on a variety of field trips to enhance classroom learning.
Such experiential learning opportunities may include theatre
productions, dance and music concerts, professional businesses and
public schools.
City Experiences (New York and Chicago):
Due to the success that our alumni have had in New York and Chicago upon
leaving Lees-McRae, and the cost effectiveness of traveling from Banner
Elk to these two cities, the department makes available one trip every
other year alternating between the two cities. During these study trips
students meet with producers, agents, alumni, and theatre groups in the
area. Previous students have enjoyed this part of their education, and
feel that it has given them insight as to what to expect if/when moving
to a large city. These trips tend to occur over holiday break in
January.
 Guest
Artist Program: The Division of Performing Arts believes
strongly in students supplementing their academic studies through
workshops and seminars. In addition to keeping students abreast of
continuing education opportunities throughout the southeast, the
Division of Performing Arts is committed to bringing professional
artists and programs to our students. Examples of programs conducted
include stage combat, healing arts, mime, make-up, lighting, management,
acting, dance, arts ministry, and vocal performance.
Leadership: There are two
arts organizations in which students can participate, Alpha Psi Omega
and Nu Delta Alpha. APO is a national honorary theater fraternity and
NDA is a dance honor society. Both organizations are part of the Student
Government Association. In addition to these organizations, students
have the opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity within their
work-study and assistantship positions, as well as serve as a team
supervisor for the Performance and Production Lab.
Internship Program:
Participating in professional work during the summers is not an uncommon
venture within the field of Performing Arts. Also, gaining practical
experience in a realized work environment is crucial to a potentially
successful transition from Lees-McRae to the workforce. The Division of
Performing Arts has placed student interns in the following agencies and
institutions: Avery Arts Council, Avery County Public Schools, Dance
Association for NC Educators, Horn in the West, National Dance
Association, Northwestern Studios, Planetree Healing Arts Program
(Cannon Memorial Hospital), School of Arts, Liberal Arts and Technology,
Tweetsie Railroad Amusement Park, X Factor Modern Dance Company.
 Highlanders:
The Highlanders are a scholarship-based show choir and dance ensemble
featuring students selected through an audition process. As part of
development and public relations for the college, performances for
community and campus events are part of their regular performance
agenda. The Highlanders rehearse twice per week and present a wide range
of musical works and dramatic presentations.
LMC Players: LMC Players
is a student run Children’s Theatre Company. Students write the script,
hold rehearsals, make or organize the set, props and costumes and travel
to different venues in the area presenting to children.
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre:
Lees-McRae Summer Theatre is a regionally recognized professional summer
theatre company. A typical season includes three main stage musicals,
Theatre for Young People, a Performing Arts Camp, and a second stage
series. Our students have the opportunity to audition for employment.
Auditions are usually held in late-February to early-March.
LMC Clogging Team: In
support and recognition of our mountain heritage, the Division of
Performing Arts sponsors a scholarship clogging team. Auditions are
opened to all LMC students. Performances for campus, community and
public school events are part of their regular schedule. The team
rehearses three times per week.
 H.I.C.S.:
Highland Improvisation Companies is a student-directed company focusing
on the art and performance of improvisational work. H.I.C.S. performs
for both campus and community events. H.I.C.S. holds weekly “play
sessions” which are open to all students in the fall semester and the
beginning of the spring semester; players are then invited by members of
the group to join the organization, or given suggestions for improvement
and asked to return for later play sessions.
Performances-Production:
Students are also encouraged to participate in areas off the stage as
well. This could be carrying out the duties of a Light Board Operator,
Spot Operator, Sound Board Operator, Multi-media Technician, Properties
Supervisor, Properties Personnel, Stage Manager, Assistant Stage
Manager, Set Crew, Dresser, Wardrobe, Dramaturge, Front of House
Personnel, Box Office Assistant, etc.
Performances-Acting:
Performance opportunities are in abundance in the Division of Performing
Arts. A typical year includes two musicals, two dramas, Christmas
Concert, Dance Concerts, Student-Directed One-Act Plays, community
performances, and campus events. For additional information on the
Audition Process please click the Auditions link to your right.
 Performances-Acting:
Performance opportunities are in abundance in the Division of Performing
Arts. A typical year includes two musicals, two dramas, Christmas
Concert, Dance Concerts, Student-Directed One-Act Plays, community
performances, and campus events. For additional information on the
Audition Process please click the Auditions link to your right.
Performance and Production Lab:
This is a non-credit course required of each student enrolled in the
Division of Performing Arts and is informally referred to as “Team.”
Further discussion on this integral part of our department can be found
by clicking the TEAM link on the right hand side of the screen.
Special Topics: Students
have the opportunity to propose new classes that may expand upon a class
that was already offered, or propose new topics. Faculty work with the
students and decide which classes may be feasible.
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