Master Class Workshops

This INTENSIVE six-week zoom program offers a “deep dive” training into what it means to be a PROFESSIONAL ARTIST…and what specific SKILLS these incredible Artists have honed to craft their unique contribution to the Arts World! All who are serious about an Arts Career – or curious about these prolific – legendary – alumni who “got their start” right here at one or both of Northwest Louisiana’s dynamic HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) must tune in - Zoom in - for the next SIX WEEKS!

Workshops ARE FREE and open to the public.
Click on a date to get the Zoom Login info.

Scroll down to meet the Artists!

Presenting Your Workshop & Master Class Instructors.

 

Eric Francis

VISUAL ARTS RESIDENT ARTIST
Eric Francis presents a 12 session (6-week) WORKSHOP SERIES that takes the participant through all of the steps of Portraiture…and if you attend all 12 workshops, you will complete a portrait.  The workshop includes developing a concept approach, using the brush, understanding the relationship between drawing and painting, techniques in drawing and painting, paint mediums, blending colors, scale, color and contrast, and completing the portrait.
Read their bio.

  1. Introduction to Painting Process

  2. Using a Brush: Blending Paint

  3. Setting up Your Painting:

  4. Laying Out Colors

  5. Painting, Drawing, Framing the Subject

  6. Blending Paint and Mixing Realistic Skin Tones

  7. Basic Drawing Skills: Practice the Art of Tracing

  8. Using Picture Resources

  9. Completing the Painting

  10. Evaluating the Painting and Preparing It for Sale

Roshanda D. Spears

PERFORMING ARTS RESIDENT ARTIST
Roshanda Spears presents a 12 session (6-week) WORKSHOP SERIES that studies the history and professional contributions of the great Performers that were “born” from the GSU / SUSLA Performing Arts Department. Topics and Artists include Theatre, Storytelling, Dance, and Music.  At the same time, she teaches and equips YOU to develop a professional Performing Arts Portfolio complete with a head shot, resume, artist statement, and samples of your work.
Read their bio.

  1. How to Build Your Performing Arts Portfolio, Digital Resume, and Head Shot. Digital resume building will be discussed step-by-step.

  2. History of Grambling State University Performing Arts Program
    Guests: Dr. Alex C. Marshall, Albert Bostick, and Mildred Gallot

  3. History of Southern University - Shreveport and it’s Performing Arts Programming
    Guests: Florece Hunt, Henry Price, and June Phillips

  4. How to Build Your Performing Arts Biography

  5. Why We Dance: History of West African Dance Guests: Felicia B. Spears and Luther Cox, Jr.

  6. Write and Understand the Vision: Discuss the planning process, collaborating with the Director, creating the team necessary to achieve the vision, and creating a system of communication.

  7. Black Dance: Jazz to Modern Dance Guests: Felicia B. Spears and Luther Cox, Jr.

  8. Music: Negro Spirituals to Hip-Hop Final Project, Electronic Portfolio Drafts Due Guests: Brenda Wimberly, Natorshau Davis, Marvin T. Williams Sr., Terrance “Bay Bay” Stewart, Shannon McGowen, and Hattie Wade

  9. The Art of Pre-Production

  10. Acting and Theater: Story Telling and Drama Guests: Thelma Harrison, Dr. Ava Brewster-Turner, Gloria Gipson, Anthony Bean, and Angelique Feaster Evans

  11. The IMPACT of HBCU’s on the Nation & the Arts by Dr. Sharron Herron-Williams

  12. Final Live Stream Performance: “How Did We Get There?”

Brent Latin

PERFORMING ARTS PRODUCER
and RESIDENT ARTIST

The Technical Side of Production: Discuss the nuances of production from video media, setup, audio, lighting, and other preparation for an actual shoot. We will also discuss and specify the equipment used.

Read their bio.

  1. The Technical Side of Production

  2. The Making: SUSLA & GSU Homecoming 2020 Reunion Virtual Performance

  3. The Artistic Side of Production


Brenda Wimberly

MUSIC MASTER CLASS ARTIST
Brenda presents six Master Classes exploring Music and Music Divas, from Classical, to Negro Spirituals, to Opera, Pop Culture, Rap, and Broadway!

Read their bio.

  1. What is Music? How it can impact your life?

  2. A Story of the Negro Spiritual

  3. Enhancing Education Through Performing and Visual Arts: The Impact it has on Students and Community Guests: Mrs. Sylvia V.C. Twine, Dr. Marvin V. Curtis, and Dr. Valerie Jones Francis

  4. What is Opera?

  5. Music and Popular Culture

  6. Rhythm and Poetry

Sonya D. Hester

MUSIC and the BUSINESS OF MUSIC
MASTER CLASS ARTIST

The Road to Artistry: Get ready for an innovative and interactive virtual broadcast beginning with Sonya’s lived music experiences. Learn Music Genres, deep dive into specialty sessions on Gospel Music, and explore the Human Voice as an instrument. Peek into today’s music industry expectations! Music is a universal language. Let’s speak it together!
Read their bio.

  1. The Road to Artistry: Understanding Music Genres, a deep dive into specialty sessions on Gospel Music.

Dr. Sharon F. Green

FILMAKING MASTER CLASS ARTIST
Dr. Green’s workshop explores the roles of Visual Art and Music in establishing the mood, plot, location and time period, and characterization in FILM.

Read their bio.

  1. How Visual Art & Musical Choices Affect/Impacts Film


Fred Irby, III

JAZZ CLINIC MASTER CLASS ARTIST
Fred Irby, III presents a two-part Master Class exploring the life, responsibilities and sacrifices of a Professional Musician. Learn the Basic Techniques of a performance on the Trumpet to include breathing, musical styles, and secret tips for success.
Read their bio.

  1. Intro to the life of a Professional Jazz Musician

  2. Learning basic techniques, breathing, style and repertoire

C’BABI

VISUAL ARTS MASTER CLASS ARTIST
The Journey to Becoming a Professional Artist: Discover avenues of becoming a professional artist and to avoid potential pitfalls. Learn how to create a community by reading “who’s in the room,” and practice your Elevator Speech. This workshop will encourage, ignite, and foster the motivation to pursue Art as a viable career option.
Read their bio.

  1. The Journey to Becoming a Professional Artist

Meet the Master Class Presenters!

 

Dr. Sharron Herron Williams

Professor of Political Science,
SUSLA Faculty

 

Florece
Hunt

Assistant Professor
of Education, SUSLA

 

Luther
Cox, Jr

Founder, Director, Choreographer, Inter City Row Modern Dance Company

 

Natorshau
Davis

Assistant Professor of Vocal Music & Choral Director, GSU

 

Hattie
Wade

Minister of
Music & Worship

 

Dr. Alex C.
Marshall

Retired Professor of Theater

 

Henry
Price

SUSLA Grad; President of the Shreveport Regional Arts Council; Arts Supervisor, Caddo Parish Public Schools

 

Mrs. Silvia
V.C. Twine

Vocal Music Faculty, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Washington D.C.

 

Marvin T.
Williams, Sr.

CEO, Jabbo
Productions

 

Thelma
Harrison

Professional Storyteller & Retired Educator and Guidance Counselor

 

Angelique
Feaster Evans

Founding Artistic Managing Director, Mahogany Ensemble Theatre & Museum Coordinator, Southern University Museum of Art, Shreveport

Mr. Albert
Bostick

Renaissance Artist and
Modern Day Griot

 

June
Phillips

Retired Division Chair
of Humanities, SUSLA

 

Dr. Martin
V. Curtis

Dean Emeritus, The Raclin School for the Arts, Indiana University

 

Terrance “Bay Bay” Stewart

Rapper, Recording Artist, and Producer

 

Dr. Ava
Brewster-Turner

Founding Artistic Director,
UpStage Theatre Company

 

Anthony
Bean

Producer and Artistic Director, Anthony Bean Community Theater

Mildred
Gallot

Author

 

Felicia B.
Spears

Choreographer and Executive Artistic Director for Grace Roots Dance Theatre, Los Angeles, CA

 

Dr. Valerie
Jones Francis

Associate Professor of Music, Nicholls State University

 

Shannon “Mercedes” McCowen

On-Air Personality,
Khamradio.com

 

Gloria
Gipson

Executive Director, Theatre of Performing Arts