GSW Students Fondren,Taylor Intern at the Rylander
By Americus Times Recorder, Ga.
Jun. 26—- — The Rylander Theatre has shared a partnership with Georgia Southwestern State University since its reopening in 1999. The partnership is vital to the community as it involves not only jointly sponsored programming which brings the students, staff and faculty to downtown, but student interns.
The students work under the supervision of Bill Fields, technical director, Brenda Burns, administrative assistant and Brooks Nettum, managing director.
“We try to offer the interns a challenging role in the day-to-day operations of the theater and its many events. This summer Emily Fondren and Zac Taylor have set new standards for the intern program at the Rylander,” Nettum said.
She practically shouts: “We call them the dynamic duo! We offered them the opportunity to co-produce the Missoula Children’s Residence in June and they stunned us with their enthusiasm, organizational skills and energetic contribution to the program.”
In addition to co-producing the Missoula residency which featured 60 local children, the interns have worked in the box office, volunteered with the corps of Rylander volunteers, performed in Sumter Players, “The King and I,” operated lights and sound for Rylander events and toured the City of Americus Building to meet the staff.
“One reason that I love the theater so much is that every single day is different and sometimes, every single hour of every single day is different!” adds Nettum. “And Emily and Zac rise to the occasion. It has truly been a pleasure to work with them!”
Fondren is originally from Stockbridge. She is a 2006 graduate of Eagle’s Landing High School in McDonough. She has very supportive parents, John and Melissa Fondren, who will be celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary this year. Her only brother, Evan, will be turning 15 in September. Fondren is a junior in the early childhood education program at GSW, as well as a dramatic arts minor. After graduation, she hopes to join the Peace Corps and teach children in foreign countries before settling down in an area that has a great school system, as well as a strong community theater.
Taylor, an Americus native, is the son of Dennis Taylor and Jincy Blair. He is also the grandson of Billy and Dana Blair, and Johnny Taylor. He graduated from Christ School in Arden, N.C., in 2004. and attended the University of Montana training in theater arts, circus arts, dance, and vocal performance. He transferred to GSW in the fall of 2007, where he is a senior majoring in dramatic arts with a minor in political science He plans seek a career as a professional actor while attending law school.
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