SCAD Day spotlights performing arts

Photo by John McKinnon
SCAD performing arts professor Lee Soroko (center) shows Ayo Tushinde (left), a prospective student from Greensboro, N.C.

By: Emily Green

Published: Friday, November 17, 2006

The Nov. 11 SCAD Day at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah provided prospective students with something new: a focus on performing arts and production design. The day included a closer look at the two programs of study and the chance for visitors to engage with students and faculty in the department.

“There is a need to provide more focused attention on students interested in pursuing performing arts and production design at SCAD,” said Director of College Visitation John Aronowitz. “We agreed with the School of Performing Arts that this would be a way for us to recruit the most talented students to SCAD.”

The first half of the event followed the schedule for a typical SCAD Day. Participants attended admission, financial aid and scholarship sessions; toured residence and dining halls; and met individually with admission staff members.

However, after having lunch in Madison Square, the guests spent the afternoon in Crites Hall, where performing arts students and faculty gave tours, hosted auditions and answered questions.

“It was really busy in this building,” said Dawn Testa, administrative director for performing arts. “It was full of really good energy.”

She said the performing arts focus provided specific targeting of prospective performing arts students.

One group of prospective students auditioned in the Mondanaro Theater at 2 p.m. Testa said as smaller groups of students arrived throughout the afternoon, auditions continued at the same time as tours. A stage combat demonstration by professor Lee Soroko followed the auditions, and guests had the rest of the day to explore Crites Hall and watch various students and faculty members demonstrate their work.

“We had a captive audience,” Testa said. “We really felt as though everything that we said and did was to someone who was eager to hear what it was that we had to offer. We were very pleased.”

“These guests were able to see what the performing arts and production design majors have to offer at SCAD,” Aronowitz said. “It gave those two programs the chance to shine in front of talented students who are considering SCAD and provided them with information that they need to make their college decision.”

Plans are to continue this option for the Feb. 24, 2007, SCAD Day.

“We [want to] make sure that people interested in performing arts and production design see that SCAD is a unique and great option as a college and a place that will lead them to a career in their field,” said Aronowitz.

Green is a publications editor.