OUR WORK CONTINUES

The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation took our work to Memphis, TN, in September for workshops with undergraduate students at Rhodes College.  Coordinating with Rhodes Department of Theatre professor Julia Ewing, William Watkins helmed the senior seminar for two promising musical theatre majors who are well on their way towards launching their careers following graduation in May 2014.  Working one-on-one with each student, Watkins emphasized the foundation's core values of "developing excellent technique" and encouraging these young performers to develop their competencies in "a cross-section of artistic disciplines" not just for their artistic growth but also to make them more marketable in the highly-competitive world of professional show business.  

  

Drawing on the educational techniques of Earl Wentz as well as his own experiences on "both sides of the table" as an actor and producer for more than 30 years in New York and throughout the U.S., Watkins worked with the students on their performance styles, particularly around the audition process, and explored options for other musical material to showcase the range of each.  "I really wanted to start with each student, where they are, and what they need to know rather than just coming in with a blanket presentation."  To that end, Watkins devoted much of the time to answering the questions that each student had about how they could strengthen their skills, what happens in a professional audition, and what steps they might consider next as they make the transition from the educational theatre world.  "The students at Rhodes are talented and incredibly bright," Watkins said.  Rhodes College is highly ranked by U.S. News and World Report and Forbes as one of the top-tier national liberal arts colleges in the country.  "They have amazing opportunities to explore and learn both through traditional classroom and experiential initiatives. But it's not a conservatory offering professional training, so we want to arm them and students at other institutions, who are highly-intelligent and who will probably go on to more advanced training, with as much 'real-world' knowledge as we can to complement the valuable liberal arts education that they are gaining now.  I think they will have a leg-up on their competition because of this," Watkins said.  "The theatre, itself, is strengthened by drawing from the ranks of well-trained actors who are also well-steeped in the humanities and who have honed their critical thinking skills."

  

Afternoon sessions were spent with a wider-range of students, some who are combining theatre training with other majors, on the topic of "the business of show business."  This seminar explored the basis of theatre as a passionate expression, an "outpouring to the gods", and the inherent conflicts with that and the realities of a multi-billion dollar per year business seeking to make high returns on risky investments.  "Do I really want to take on a professional career in a tough market like New York or Los Angeles or can I and will I fare better elsewhere, perhaps using my interests and skills in creative ways in other arenas?  Those are questions that each person can only answer for his- or her-self, " said Watkins.  "We aimed to give them some hard facts and figures and prepare them for the future, not to dampen their dreams at all but to support their passions so that they will have a better chance of achieving success on their own terms as they move forward."

  

Students were overwhelmingly positive about their experiences in the workshops, providing post-workshop evaluation scores between 4.5 and 5.0 on a scale of 5.0.  Professor Ewing said, "We all learned so much!"  Ewing also expressed an interest in having Watkins return to Rhodes for additional workshops in the future as well as having Watkins and other foundation faculty lead a summer musical theatre workshop for inner-city youth in Memphis on the order of the foundation's recent workshop in Charlotte, NC, in August.  We invite you to stay in touch with us as plans develop in the coming months for these programs.

  

Thanks to the Rhodes College community and the instructors and staff in the Departments of Music and Theatre, particuarly Julia Ewing, Kevin Collier, and Andrew Drannon for making our September workshops such an incredible experience.

  

  

Sixpence, Inc., the New York City-based publisher of Earl Wentz's musical compositions, has announced that it will donate a portion of the proceeds of all sales of Earl Wentz's sheet music and CDs made through its online store to The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation. Robert Olds, Sixpence's Director of Customer Service said, "By special arrangement with the Estate of Earl Wentz, we have designated a portion of our online store as The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation Store and created a special online link to it.  A percentage of the purchase price of all Wentz products made through this link will be donated to the foundation in tribute to this talented artist." 

  

This includes Earl's best-selling Christmas CD so the timing couldn't be better.  In addition, Sixpence, Inc. has set up a special discount coupon for friends and supporters of The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation that is good through January 31, 2014 for all Earl Wentz music and CDs.  Just enter the coupon code EWWWF2013 in the coupon box on the check out page and your discount will be automatically calculated.  This coupon may not be combined with other discounts or coupons and is valid for online sales only through the Sixpence, Inc. online store.  

  

"We are happy to support the fine work of The Earl Wentz and William Watkins Foundation in this way," said Olds, "and excited to see Earl Wentz's wonderful legacy perpetuated."  

  

Sixpence, Inc. also features many original cast albums with performers as diverse as Kristin Chenoweth, Glenn Close, and Jim Dale.  Be sure to check these out while you are shopping for Earl's music and CDs.  A very special thank you to Sixpence, Inc. for their support of our work.