Jacksonville State University Offers Chance to Relive the Stage with Shakespeare

Jacksonville, AL –Per the Director of Strategic Communications for JSU, Buffy Lockette, JSU shared that if you’re are interested in knowing how to better understand William Shakespeare, but feel insecure about the Bard, The JSU Department of Theatre and Film will open from the most well-known playwright with a two-part course on September. 9 at the JSU Stone Center’s Ward Theater.

The event is hosted through the Dr. Michael Boynton, a JSU theatre professor and Shakespearean actor, the show will shed light on the way professional actors and performers bring Shakespeare’s over 400-year-old plays to life.

“Many people are terrified of Shakespeare unfortunately or, even more so having had a negative school experience which made his work appear dull and inaccessible,” Boynton said. “But there’s nothing more than the fact! When you discover Shakespeare as an exciting stage and get him on his feet and acting him out, it’s evident that Shakespeare is fun for everyone.”

The first portion of the event, which will run between 1-4 p.m. It will focus on Shakespeare’s history as a theater artist and the impact he had on his work both then and today. Part two which runs between 6 and 9 p.m. The focus will be around Shakespeare’s First Folio text work, which is the tool professional actors utilize for their performance. Special performances and guest appearances by professionals Shakespearean performers will be showcased during the workshop.

The event is targeted at college and high school students and young actors of the future are invited to take part in professional monologue training during the program. If you’re interested in this unique chance, prepare your most-loved Shakespeare monologue. You can also email the Dr. Boynton at mboynton@jsu.edu to book your spot.

Shakespeare lovers are encouraged to mark their calendars for JSU’s performance of “As you like it” written as directed by Boynton who will direct the show, which will be on stage at JSU’s campus from October. 27-30. More details on this play and the entire 2023-2024 JSU theatre season will be available soon at www.jsu.edu/theatrefilm. For inquiries, contact theatrefilm@jsu.edu on the one-year anniversary of the dedication of Hugh Merrill Hall, the JSU Board of Trustees passed the resolution of naming one of the departments located in the building in honour of a fellow trustee and alumni Greg Brown. This department, the Department of Finance, Economics and Accounting will be referred to in”the “Greg D. Brown Department of Finance, Economics and Accounting.”

Brown has graduated at JSU with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and accounting in 1979. He spent the majority of his time as the chief executive officer and president at BR Williams Trucking, Inc. and a pioneer in the industry of transportation. He joined the board in 2016 and was appointed to the Board of Trustees, where his work includes serving as the chairperson of the Audit Committee – improving the process of evaluating the financials of the university and increasing its financial accountability.

The trustees also approved a plan for a change in the title for the Office of Graduate Studies to the “Graduate School” and approved a strategy to revamp and name departmental units inside the College of Education and Professional Studies according to the following:

• The Department of Curriculum and Instruction as well as the Department of Secondary Education are being merged into the Department of Teacher Education.
• The Department of Counseling and Instructional Support will be renamed to”the Department of Professional Counseling and Leadership.
• The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences is now being renamed as”the Department of Career Technical Education and Professional Studies.

The board also approved a variety of names suggested from the Advancement Committee to recognize university donors and alumni in the following order:

• The scoreboard at JSU Stadium will now be called”the “Ronnie Watkins Ford Scoreboard” to honor its Ronnie Watkins Ford dealership in Gadsden, Ala., which has aided the school for over 20 years.
• The locker room of the team in Jim Case Stadium will be designated”David Boatfield Team Locker Room “David Boatfield Team Locker Room” in the memory of 1983 alumni as well as the former Gamecock ball player David Boatfield. The couple, along with their wife Cynthia who graduated in 1982 have been long-time supporters of the university. They live in Allen, Tex.
• An interview room located in Merrill Hall will be named the “Guaranteed Labels Inc. interview room” to honor the Moody, Ala. business that was founded by the 1990 JSU graduates Scott Noell and his wife, Kathy.

The trustees finally decided to proceed with the demolishment of Wallace Hall. The building was constructed in 1973. building housed the School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions and Wellness prior to the tornado that struck in 2018. Its School of Nursing will start the fall 2023 semester at its new, modernized location in JSU South Complex. JSU South Complex, formerly Jacksonville Hospital. Respiratory Therapy and Athletic Training are also located at JSU South Complex. JSU South Complex. This property was given to JSU by the Regional Medical Center in 2018.