Academics at MBC
Faculty
Virginia R. Francisco, Professor
of Theatre
Virginia
Royster Francisco, a theatre historian, actress, and director, is professor
of theatre at Mary Baldwin College. She teaches theatre history, drama,
play analysis, and stage management. Her work as a director appears regularly
in the college’s theatre, where she alternates musicals with plays emphasizing
social issues.
In 2006 “Dr. Fran” headed a team of translators and musicologists who created an English version of a neglected French operetta. Performances at MBC were the operetta’s first in English since 1874. Her recent research examines visual evidence for performances of Shakespeare's time. A lifetime research interest is the acting and directing of Charles Kean, a nineteenth century actor-manager who was one of Queen Victoria’s favorites. She has published a number of articles on these topics.
Dr. Francisco also held administrative positions in which she focused on new program creation and advising for the diverse populations of MBC. She holds the BA degree in theatre from MBC, the MA in English from the University of Virginia, and the PhD in theatre history from Indiana University.
“Dr. Fran” has been a member of the MBC faculty since 1970. She is the mother of Sarah A. Francisco, '98.
Dr. Francisco's Web site: http://academic.mbc.edu/vfrancisco/
Clinton
Johnston
Clinton Johnston received his MFA in directing from the University of Virginia.
Along with over a decade of experience acting and directing in local theaters,
he has assistant directed with nationally renowned directors Sabin Ebstein and
Bill Rauch. Clinton enjoys working with a variety of pieces ranging from classical
to new work. He is also a produced playwright, as his full-length show, Am
I Black Enough Yet?, was presented jointly by the Earl Hamner, Jr. Theatre
and Charter Theatre in the winter of '07.
Sarah Kennedy
Sarah
Kennedy holds an MFA from Vermont College and a PhD from Purdue University.
She is the author of four books of poems, including Consider the Lilies (David
Robert Books 2004), Double Exposure (Cleveland State University Press
Open Competition Winner 2003), and Flow Blue (Elixir Press Prize in
Poetry Winner 2002). Sarah Kennedy has received grants from the National Endowment
for the Arts, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment
for the Humanities. She is a contributing editor for Shenandoah and West
Branch.
Sam
Koogler
Sam is a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel who has worked in theatres all across
the United States. He is currently the technical director for the MBC Theatre
Department, a production associate at the American Shakespeare Center in Staunton,
Virginia, and a director and producer for Oak Grove Theater in Verona, Virginia.
Anna Northam
Anna Northam trained at the Central School of Speech & Drama in London.
For the last ten years, she has played multiple roles on the British and American
stage; most recently a twelve week American tour of Hamlet with the
company Actors
from the London Stage. Anna earned her MLitt in Shakespeare and Renaissance
Literature from Mary Baldwin College and is working on her MFA.
Theresa K. Southerington '72
Theresa K. Southerington, professor of theatre, is an alumna of Mary Baldwin
College. She holds the MA and MFA degrees in theatre from the University
of Virginia, as well as the MS is mathematics from James Madison. Her primary
field is costume, and she studied authentic Elizabethan costume practice
at London's Globe Theatre. Her designs are frequently seen onstage at the
Blackfriars Playhouse and Ash Lawn Opera. Ms. Southerington teaches acting
and directing as well as the technical and design courses: basic production,
costume, makeup, stagecraft, scene design, and lighting. She has an extensive
resume of acting and directing ranging from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams,
and Noel Coward to modern British farce.
