Fall 2000 p. 2

Board of Directors

Deena Burke
Cornish College of the Arts

Kate Burke
President-Elect
U. of Virginia

BettyAnn Leeseberg-Lange
Past-President
Valparaiso University

Dorothy Runk Mennen
Founding President
Purdue University—Professor, Emerita

Mandy Rees
CA State U.-Bakersfield
Janet Rodgers
President
Virginia Commonwealth U.

Karen Ryker
U, of Wisconsin-Madison

Kate Ufema
U. of Minnesota-Duluth

Officers
Janet Rodgers
President
Virginia Commonwealth U

Philip Thompson
Secretary
The Ohio State University

Lisa Wilson
Treasurer
University of Tulsa

Barbara Acker
Conference 2000Planner
Arizona State University

Cynthia Blaise
Archivist

Wayne State University
Rocco Dal Vera
Journal Editor
U. of Cincinnati College Con. of Music

Theresa Davis
Membership Chair
U. of West Virginia

Craig Ferre
Newsletter Editor
Brigham Young U.-Hawaii

Paul Meier
Newsletter Associate Editor
University of Kansas

Anne Scrimger
ATHE Conference Planner
Mount Royal College

The President’s Letter

Dear VASTA members:

Greetings to you all in this first “VASTA Newsletter” of the 21st century! It has been wonderful hearing from so many of you in connection with the “VASTA Voice and Speech Exercise Book”. I would like to expand upon this dialogue and explore with you ideas about next year’s summer conference 2001.

VASTA was born in NYC in August of 1986. For the 14 years since then, our yearly summer conferences have usually featured three (or a few more) presenters and have spanned a three day duration. This year we are holding our first INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE. For this once-in-a-decade event, we have expanded the conference by one day and added many more presenters who will represent a vast variety of voices from around the world. Barbara Acker and her committee is working very hard on the plans for this unique conference and it should prove to be a VERY exciting event.

So, what do we want for our next conference that will be in Chicago in 2001? VASTA is rapidly approaching adulthood as an organization and we have emerged as an important force in the training of actors and in the collaborative creation of the
theatrical experience. We have, indeed, created a network of Voice and Speech Trainers who have come into their own as teachers and coaches during this period of time. It has been a wonderful time in the life of VASTA and a fabulous time for those of us who continue to grow together in the profession. Over the years, we have learned from the trailblazers who have gone before while we have continued to develop our own skills as teachers, coaches, singers, actors, and directors. I believe that it is time for VASTA to devote one of its yearly conferences to showcasing the work of its own members. What do you think about this idea? Would any of you be interested in leading a workshop? Would anyone be interested in organizing or assisting in the organizing of this event?

Please e-mail your thoughts to me at <jrodgers@saturn.vcu.edu> or mail to 2424 W. Main St., Richmond, VA 23220 or call 804-828-6557. I will convey your responses to the VASTA Board of Directors. Remember, VASTA is here to serve us, yet we are VASTA. Please let me know your thoughts.

All my best,

Janet B. Rodgers,
VASTA President

VASTA is a non-profit organization and also a focus group of
ATHE
Association for Theatre in Higher Education

© Copyright 1987-2001 Voice and Speech Trainers Association, Inc.