SUU’s Brian Swanson Receives Service to Theatre Education Award
Published: February 02, 2022 | Author: Ashley H Palmer | Read Time: 3 minutes
SUU’s Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration is proud to recognize Brian Swanson, Chair of the Department, for his Service to Theatre Education Award from the Utah Theatre Association (UTA). Swanson, along with the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration, recently hosted the 2022 Utah Theatre Association Conference on SUU’s campus. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this was the first and possibly only experience at UTA for Utah students during their high school career. All involved with the conference ensured that health and safety protocols were followed while participating in activities on campus.
Andrew Lloyd Hunsaker, President of the Utah Theatre Association, shares, “Brian Swanson was awarded the ‘Service to Theatre Education Award’ due to his dedication for the last ten years as a representative of not only SUU, but also as the representative of all Utah Higher Education Departments of Theatre for the Utah Theatre Association board. He serves with good ideas, strong leadership, and an open-mind to change. He is an outstanding example of how healthy and well communicated bridges should and can be built between high school teachers and those in higher education. He is always positive, kind, and thoughtful. We are so lucky to have him on our team.”
Formed in 1977, the mission of the Utah Theatre Association it to create an annual conference where secondary education students and teachers have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of theatre, connect with theatre peers and professionals, and celebrate in the creation of educational theatre. It offers opportunities for high school students and their teachers to meet together and share their affinity for theatre as well as meet with college and university representatives to learn about and audition for programs and scholarships.
Dean Shauna Mendini, Dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts at SUU, adds, “Service comes as second nature to Brian Swanson and he is highly effective working behind the scenes to ensure quality outcomes. On behalf of the entire college, we are thrilled that he has been recognized throughout the state and region for his important contribution to theatre education.”
The SUU College of Performing and Visual Arts is honored to have such distinguished and talented professionals working with our students. Swanson has a great influence on his students and helps them achieve their targets in studies and application in Theatre. For more information about the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Arts Administration at SUU, please visit www.suu.edu/pva/ta.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 26 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year and is affiliated with the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA), Utah Shakespeare Festival, and the Center for Shakespeare Studies. Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Tags: Theatre Arts and Dance College of Performing and Visual Arts