'Southern 2021

One of my first classes at Birmingham-Southern was Beginning Acting, a class
required of all theatre and musical theatre majors. The course reflected a “learning
by doing” approach and was an introduction to the craft of acting, with focus
on clarity and creativity in communication and performance skills, and the
development of character analysis skills. Students learned basic acting principles, presented
scene work with partners, and journaled progress throughout the semester. At the end of the
course, we were given an assignment to write a final paper, titled: “My Growth as an Actor.”
As most new, naïve students do, I waited until the last minute and joined the other
procrastinators in the computer lab to put my thoughts together in hopes that my professor
would see past a last-minute, hammered-out composition and praise my efforts with a
moderate score that would satisfy both my ego and my professor’s lesson plans. When my
work was returned to me, there was a clear
message from my professor written across
the top of my paper: “Nice attempt at an
essay.”
I don’t remember the letter grade I made
on that disastrous essay. But to this day, I can
still see the handwritten words written across
the top of my three-page paper. At the time
I was embarrassed, and a bit shocked that
he even cared enough to call me out on my
lackluster efforts. What I didn’t know at the
time is that he was sending me a message as
I began my journey at BSC. A message about
rising to the challenge, doing better.
Two years later, I found myself back
in Beginning Acting class – this time as
his Teaching Assistant. Little did I know,
Theatre 120 wasn’t finite. This course didn’t
particularly have a start and an end for me.
It was just one lesson in a long series of
lessons, and ultimately nudged and pushed
me into a trajectory that I’m still growing
into today. Over the past twenty years, I’ve
had a successful career teaching theatre to
young actors locally, all while honing my skills as a performer on stages from Carnegie Hall to
Hong Kong.
And you know what? That professor has been there for me the whole time. Because what
started as a student/teacher relationship, evolved into a mentorship. And not only has this
professor helped me grow as actor; more importantly, he has guided my growth as a person.
Which appears to be a regular theme on the Hilltop.
Two months ago, I started a new role as a staff member at Birmingham-Southern. And in my
first few weeks I sat down in the cafeteria and enjoyed coffee and conversation with my friend
and colleague – my former professor – Alan Litsey. We talked about theatre. We talked about
work. We talked about life. I wanted to follow him to the classroom and soak up discussion
about Theatre as Human Rights Activism with his current students. But instead, I returned to
my office. Where I find myself once again reflecting on my growth.
• • •
Dana McArthur Porter ’03 (MPPM ’11) returned to the Hilltop in June 2021 as the
assistant director of alumni engagement, following her years working in the Office of Admission
from 2007 to 2012. Porter has taught and performed nationally and internationally with her
biggest theatre accomplishment being cast in “The Sound of Music” Asia Tour. She has also
performed and taught with numerous Birmingham-based groups, including Alabama Symphony
Orchestra, Birmingham Children’s Theatre, and the Virginia Samford Theatre.
FALL/WINTER 2021 / 25