NEWS RELEASE

Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

10/20/2003

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES-Northwestern State University has conferred the title of professor emeritus on former Artistic Director and Coordinator of Theatre Dr. Jack Wann.

Wann retired in June to pursue an acting career in New York. In his 13 years at Northwestern, Wann created a degree program in theatre and built one of the top undergraduate theatre programs in the South. Under Wann, Northwestern gained accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre. More than 40 of his students worked in summer stock companies each year and a number of former students are working professionally.

"From the first day I was back at Northwestern, Jack and I were fast friends," said NSU President Dr. Randall J. Webb, who conferred the honor on Wann. "We worked together on many fronts. He built a highly successful theatre program and it is appropriate to present Jack with this very special honor."

Wann established the NSU Summer Theatre. He also regularly brought working theatre professionals to Natchitoches to hold workshops for students.

In 2002, he published a book, "Shakesperience!: An Approach to Performing Shakespeare," and received the Mildred Hart Bailey Research Award from Northwestern.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this honor," said Wann. "When I left in June, I took you folks with me. I will never forget this place and the kids won't let me. The work I do is so rewarding and beautiful. Now, kids I worked with are helping me get work."

Wann recently played Baptista in a production of "Taming of the Shrew" in Las Vegas. He will also begin work on an independent film soon, playing a Russian immigrant fighting the involvement of his daughter with a Georgia boy during the Civil War.

At the ceremony, the establishment of the Jack Wann Scholarship in Theatre was also announced. The scholarship will be awarded to the outstanding junior in theatre to help them complete their senior year.

"Jack's number one concern has always been for the students," said Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Vicki Parrish, who worked with Wann during his entire tenure at Northwestern. "He is very student oriented and serves as both a teacher and mentor. When he came to Northwestern, we had six students. At least a thousand students came through the program or took classes. Countless other students attended plays and went out and inspired others."

For more information on the Jack Wann Scholarship, contact the NSU Foundation at (318) 357-4414.

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