Summer 2011 - Austin College Magazine

74443 Austin College_Layout 1 6/24/11 1:36 PM Page 22TThe rehearsal schedule seems even tougher considering that, formost alumni, the weeks at Austin College were “vacation” time. Caseyis the production manager of the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall andfounder of a business services consulting firm in New York City. KimPowers is a writer and producer for 20/20 and other programs at ABCNew York; Marc Daniel is an associate compliance officer and systemsdeveloper at AIG. Scott Metelko owns a set and stage design businessin Orlando, Florida; Cindy McNabb ’80 is a psychiatrist in Olympia,Washington; Carrie McLarty is a Texas administrative law judge inHouston. Anne Groben ’86 is president of Sizzle Promotion in Dallas;Sarah Lien Finnerty ’93 is a children’s minister in Raleigh, NorthCarolina. The list goes on.So why did they do it? Most who were asked that question had thesame answers: love of theatre, love of friends, love of Austin College.“I don’t always get to work with people with this level ofcommitment,” Scott said. “Everyone involved cares deeply about theproject and all have removed their egos from the production.”For Casey, the production was about the future and the past. “I owea great debt to Austin College,” he said. “My years here opened myeyes and opened my mind. Theatre and music were major forces inthat process. It is important to give back.”Casey explained that as this show took shape, he saw anotheropportunity to give back: to show current students that they are partof a much larger history and to give them a chance to see into thefuture. “I also saw how alumni could see into the past, rememberwhat we learned, and then share what we have learned with currentstudents,” he said.Kim said the production also was something of a belated welcomegift for President Marjorie Hass. “Though this is a tribute to thehistory of the College’s theatre, it also points to the future and tofuture generations,” he said.“To be back on stage with people I love is incredible,” SarahFinnerty said. Her decision to come to campus was not based on whather role would be in the play. “What mattered was just the idea ofbeing part of a community.”But she didn’t come simply for herself. “It’s important for thecurrent students to see where we’ve been and what we’ve become,”Sarah said, “to see where a liberal arts education can take you.”Marc said when he was in college, the Theatre Department oftenbrought in guest artists; he particularly remembered time spent withVern Sutton ’60. “We had that tradition as a way to meet alumni inthe arts, and it is important to share that rich network of people withcurrent students.” Marc added that since many question the valueof an education in the humanities, it is important to understand thatopportunities like directing or producing a play fundamentally arebusiness management and have applications in every aspect of life.Many of the alumni reprised roles they had in collegeproductions, as Sarah did performing “It’s Our Time” from MerrilyWe Roll Along. “Then I was a bright young college student, now I’mhere as an alumna and I’ve come full circle. We’re all facing theghosts we have here.”WEBXTRA:Photos, Cast Lists, Comments from Current Students20 | Austin College Magazine Summer 2011