‘The arts create community’

Honors College students connect with professionals and leaders in the performing arts at a roundtable event to learn about life on the stage – and beyond.

Performing Arts are much more than acting, singing, and playing musical instruments. Behind the scenes, passionate and creative people are constantly working to create opportunities for everyone to love the arts. As Honors College students learned from top leaders in the regional performing arts industry at the Professional Development Roundtable event on April 11, many career paths can fall under the umbrella of “performing arts” - from acting and conducting to strategic planning and marketing.  

As Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, put it at the event, “the arts create community.” Whether performing on stage, composing for others, teaching, cultivating audiences, or connecting with donors, leaders like those who attended are essential.  

Honors College advisory board member Deb Gandy organized the event. A Senior Managing Director at Chevy Chase Trust, she serves on the executive committee of the board at the local Signature Theatre.  

Drawing on her connections to Signature Theater, Gandy attracted top talent and leadership to speak with the students. James Gardiner, a faculty member at George Mason, brought his experience both as performer and as Director of Creative Content and Deputy Director of Marketing at Signature Theater. Christine Stanley, Senior Director of Advancement and Planning at Signature Theater, brought the perspective of an arts administrator, exposing students to the vital role of philanthropic giving to the advancement of the arts. Tori Gomez, the star of In the Heights at Signature Theater, brought the perspective of a performer just a few years out from graduation, encouraging students to be open to what the industry had to teach them: “always be a sponge. Absorb the good and bad things.” 

Gandy also attracted Sean-Maurice Lynch, the Director of Community Engagement at Arena Stage, who has performed in theater and opera and shared with students on a range of topics from getting a foot in the door in the competitive industry to helping to cultivate and more inclusively serve audiences.  

The Honors College was also pleased to welcome back University Scholar alum Mark Irchai (BM Performance ‘17), who is an illustrious pianist and concert musician, the director of Loudoun Lyric Opera, a faculty member at Shenandoah University, and a piano instructor at Levine Music. Irchai shared with his tables three keys to a successful professional career in the performing arts: intelligence, strength, and kindness. 

Speaking to the Honors College student participants after the event, Gandy said, “They all have inspired me, and I hope they have done the same for you.” 

The event culminated a series of related Professional Development Fellows roundtables, which connect learners to leaders by having Honors College students rotate among small tables, each hosted by a distinguished guest.  

 “You get to meet people who are super accomplished, but also super diverse, and they’re knowledgeable about their fields, and they have advice, but they’re interested in coming to talk to you and help students.”  Jessica Taylor, a senior music technology major

Speaking about the series of events, which have previously invited executives and leaders from the government contracting industry and the healthcare industry, Honors College Communication Director Richard Todd Stafford commented, “We could think of no better way to inspire students to aim high than putting them in contact with leaders from a variety of different fields.” Stafford continued, “I’d like each student who participates to be able to see themselves as a future leader in whatever industry they might pursue.”