Wednesday, June 11, 2003
|
Wednesday, June 11, 2003 |
Corse retires from Clayton StateIn the words of William Shakespeare, "Parting is such sweet sorrow." Clayton State's second-most senior faculty member, Dr. Larry Bailey Corse, is retiring after 31 years at the University. A professor of English, and founder and artistic director of Clayton State Theater, Corse will be greatly missed by faculty, staff, and students alike. Adieu. A native of Tyler, Tex., Corse earned the following four degrees from North Texas State University: his Bachelor of Music in music education (1962), his Master of Music in music theory (1963), his Master of Arts in English (1970), and his Ph.D in English Renaissance (1972). Corse entered academia as choir director at Randolph High School, located on Texas' Randolph Air Force Base (1963-1967). Next, he taught both choir and English at Bailey Junior High, part of an Independent School District in Arlington, Tx. (1967-1969). Just prior to teaching at Clayton State, Corse served as a Teaching Fellow, instructing freshman English at his NTSU alma mater (1969-1972). In Sept. 1972, Corse joined the faculty of Clayton State (then Clayton Junior College) as a professor of English. Now, in 2003 on the cusp of his retirement, Corse teaches freshman English and the University's online theater appreciation course. Though Corse will be remembered for his teaching, his contributions to Clayton State Theater will be his lasting legacy. For 31 theater seasons, Corse has been committed to both student actors/actresses and aspiring playwrights. Time and time again, Corse has opened the stage to premiere new works of theater, including the musical "The Day it Rained Forever," by science fiction author Ray Bradbury and composer William Whitefield, and the play "Your Name in Bold," by Clayton State Biology Professor Dr. Greg Hampikian. In total, Clayton State Theater has premiered 34 new works. The last show Corse directed, Christopher Durang's parody "For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls," part of the larger production "Short, Short, Really Short Redux," marked show number 216, and closing night marked the 1,009th performance on the Clayton State stage under Corse's direction. To keep the theater going strong after his retirement, Corse has promised $200 to the best overall actor and actress of each theater season, and a $1,000 prize each year for 10 years for playwriting. For more information on either of these cash awards, call the Clayton State School of Arts and Sciences at 770-961-3420. Corse enjoys composing music, and has worked with former Clayton State student Brad Fairchild and local playwright Andy Ditzler to compose pieces for the Spivey Educational Series. Corse has also written a number of stage works including a three-act opera "Frederick Hohenzollern," written in collaboration with Fairchild. Corse's original poetry has been read at Clayton State events including the Fall Frolics and Clayton State Theater's "Love Cabaret." Corse's poem "Seven Goldfish" can be read online at http://a-s.clayton.edu/poetryjam/poems/crse7.html>. He is also credited with writing the University's alma mater, which is still sung at Clayton State graduations today. So will Corse continue to be involved in Clayton State Theater? "Retirement means to me retirement," said Corse. "But if the new director has a project that I would be interested in, I may be involved from time to time, but for the moment I plan to travel and compose and write and cook."
|
||