Hilltop Players

Theatre program aims to impact culture

Shakespeare once said "all the world’s a stage," and the theatre program at Bryan College is designed to take advantage of that dramatic philosophy.
 

Mr. Bernie Belisle, assistant professor of Communication Studies and Theatre Program director, said that the program gives its majors "a powerful tool for making a difference in the world."
 

That tool may be as specific as knowing how to stage a theatrical performance or as general as having a good grasp on the literary history which reflects the development of Western culture.
 

It also gives individuals the skill to identify with and portray persons different than themselves. "One of the key factors in lifestyle evangelism is identification, establishing relationships. It is inherent in the performing arts that we engage people unlike ourselves, people we might not be able to meet otherwise," he said.
 

On a broader front, equipping Christians to compete in and influence the dramatic arts is a way to more generally influence today’s culture. "For years, Christians abdicated their influence in the arts," he said. "It’s time to start taking back some of that territory, or at least influence it so it doesn’t get worse. I feel very strongly that we need to have a powerful influence in society. It's happening in small pockets around the country; I want to be part of the equipping process."
 

One Bryan graduate who has accepted that challenge is Walker Haynes, '96. Walker moved to California where he is working to break into the television, theatre, and film industry. "I had a very idealistic approach to breaking into the industry… that it would happen overnight," he said. "When I got to Hollywood, I realized that the term 'overnight success' omits the phrase 'he worked 15 years to become an…'"

A recent production of Neil Simon's RUMORS

But Haynes has found that, as a Christian, he is not alone. "I meet Christians every day in every area of the industry, and I am encouraged. I think the call needs to go out stronger than ever to Christians around the country to join the fight here. Christ is alive in the entertainment industry, and He is calling more and more to Himself all the time. There are Bible studies set up on a weekly or bi-weekly basis in the major studios, and these are packed out."

He found that the education he received at Bryan prepared him "as much as possible for life in Hollywood." Haynes highly recommends those students interested in film or television work to take advantage of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center program, offered by the Council for Christians Colleges and Universities. "It addresses and helps in practically every area relating to film." Several students have taken advantage of this opportunity since Haynes moved to California. Walker is only one of several of our graduates who are presently working in the area of theatre either professionally or through local community involvement.

In the liberal arts model of Bryan College, the theatre program offers a broad exposure to the field. "Students will act, work backstage, do costumes, lights, assist direct and direct," Mr. Belisle said. "Their senior recital is to direct a one-act play (or be a part of a design team). They may find their niche and do more of that than something else, but they will do it all."

The "do it all" aspect of the program is reflected in the repertory as well. "I try to choose plays over four years so that my students and the audience can experience a variety of styles of theatre – comedy, tragedy, drama, farce – from this century to Shakespeare and earlier," Mr. Belisle said. "Variety is important to broaden our cultural awareness, to help us know we are tied directly to the past as a culture. A good way to do this is through performance."

While the quality of the program depends on the quality of instruction, quality also is demonstrated by the type of students involved. "I look for enthusiasm about what a student wants to do," Mr. Belisle said. "I look for a teachable spirit, someone who can see the big picture, who is not so tunnel-visioned that they say, 'this is what I want do and nothing else,' someone who can see how it all fits together."
 

"The most important thing is a commitment to be excellent for Christ, someone who desires to be the best with the talent He has given."

As a result of many years of planning and research a new focus in theatre has been added in the area of Communication Studies as well as the Music major.
 

To help build the program, Mr. Belisle has developed a patrons program, which has raised money to purchase needed equipment and supplies. Over the years Patrons have contributed to the purchase of over $40,000 of new equipment and supplies. In 2005 we saw the first "Rachel Morgan Patron Scholarship" awarded through our Patron program. In 1999, the Haynes Hilltop Scholarship was established to help theatre majors with college costs.

Mr. Belisle is also seeking to broaden the impact of the program in the community as well, working with the Tennessee Valley Theatre, a Rhea County theatre troupe, supporting the Rhea County High School drama program and providing technical support to the annual Scopes Trial reenactment.

"We want to provide a major cultural influence in the Rhea County community," he said. And reaching out through local contacts and providing excellent programming is one major way he hopes to make a difference in this part of the world."

The cast of Rumors in a surprising conclusion.