Department of Theatre
ACU Box 27843
Abilene, TX 79699
325-668-7081
adam.hester@acu.edu
adamhester.net
CURRENT RANK
Senior Professor of Theatre
EDUCATION
M.F.A. (Theatre), Trinity University through the Dallas Theater Center, 1982
B.A. (Communications: Drama/Journalism), Abilene Christian University, 1977
EXPERIENCE
Department of Theatre Chair (1991-2015)
Department of Theatre faculty member since 1982
Adjunct Instructor/Professional Staff, January 1981-August 1982
Courses currently taught at ACU include:
THEA 226 Acting I Basic training in acting choices, stage technique, and creating a character. Involves scene work and character analysis. Fall offering for majors only, includes laboratory. Laboratory graded and credited with course.
THEA 353 Acting V: Stanislavski/Method An exploration and practical application of method acting using exercises from Stanislavski, Stella Adler, and Robert Lewis.
THEA 360 Musical Theatre Performance Workshop Provides advanced training in the performance of musical theatre. Students learn techniques for singing, dancing and acting within the framework of musical scenes in a workshop atmosphere.
THEA 454 Beginning Directing Basic principles governing play structures, choice, and casting are discussed. Requires student directed scenes with lab.
THEA 455 Acting VI: Shakespeare Advanced techniques in acting Shakespeare using soliloquies, monologues and duet scenes. Resources from Royal Shakespeare Company Master Classes.
THEA 456 Acting VII: Auditioning To equip the advanced acting student with necessary information for a professional career. Includes resumes, photos, cold readings, monologues, and information regarding Equity, U/RTA, and film.
THEA 457 Playwriting A basic method of developing a play script with critiques and readings by actors. Includes workshop by professional playwright.
THEA 460 Musical Theatre Directing Workshop Provides advanced training in the direction of musical theatre. With guidance from the instructors, students will direct peers in multiple workshop musical scenes, applying techniques of staging, analysis, and prompting with a musical theatre knowledge base.
Special Teaching Related Experience
Negotiated an affiliation with Syracuse University allowing ACU Theatre majors to study in New York City at the Tepper Semester, 2011
Established Abilene Shakespeare Festival 1990
Study Abroad professor, Oxford
Honors Colloquium on Censorship
Initiated a weekly Theatre Chapel discussing faith/art issues with majors
Mentor intern program through university Chancellor’s office
Audition Workshop (each fall)
Private Coaching for Unified Auditions:
U/RTA (University/Resident Theatre Association)
SETC (Southeast Theatre Conference)
NETC (Northeast Theatre Conference)
Strawhats Auditions
Various other
Hosted Regional Christians in Theatre Arts convention, February 27-28, 1998
Academic Contributions
BFA degree approved through councils
Majors Handbook created
Practicum Program installed
Weekly Theatre Chapel coordinator
Faculty Directing Mentor
New Course Proposals approved:
Theatrical Choreography (four classes: Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern)
Musical Theatre Workshop – Performance
Musical Theatre Workshop – Directing
Playwriting
Auditioning
Stanislavski/Method Acting
Arts and Culture: A Christian Aesthetic
Theatre Management
Special Performances/Presentations
Wrote and directed a full production of an original musical, After Zoey, at ACU 2016
NY workshop of original musical, After Zoey, funded by Cullen and Pursuit Grants, Summer 2015
Directed Mother Divine for the New York Musical Theatre Festival, 2013
Performed in the title role of Freud’s Last Session at Atlanta’s Legacy Theatre and at ACU, Fall 2015
Directed The Fantasticks for Dallas’ Firehouse Theatre, Summer 2016
Directed John and Jen at Atlanta’s Legacy Theatre, March 2009
Jacob’s Dream Dedication – special reading, September 9, 2006
The Hunt for the Christian Artist (A Discussion on Vocation), published in Summer 2004 Centerstage
Drama in Worship – Zoë Conference (Nashville, TN) 2004
Colloquium on Censorship (March 2, 2003) – ACU
Public reading/Talk-back of my original play, By Any Other Name, August 11, 2002, Sewell Theatre.
Coordinated production of Cause For Complaint (on multi-cultural diversity) Faculty Pre-session, January 2001
Professional Service
Program Review Chair of Committee for Theatre, Gordon College, Wenham Mass (April 4-8, 2014)
Regent University Theatre Self-Study Adjudicator (March 6-10, 2012)
Audition preparation/coordination for ACU students attending the Southeast Theatre Conference – screening and final auditions (2006–current)
Created and Facilitated ACU Faculty Pre-Session Conference (January 11, 2004): The Craft of Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be Incarnational as a Teacher?
Lilly Regional Conference Presentation: Integrating Theatre into Faculty Development, March 2003, ACU
Program Review Committee for Theatre and Communication Gordon College, Wenham Mass (Nov 17-18, 2003)
Peer Review Panelist for Young Audiences, Abilene Texas (February 22, 2003)
Presented Creative Connections – Faculty Perceptions and Theatre Arts for CCCU Faculty Development Conference, Boston, Mass (May 30-June 1, 2002)
Grants Peer Review Committee for the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council (1997-2001)
Portfolio Workshop, September 13, 2002, CTE Resource
Community/Church
Highland Church of Christ
Meals on Wheels (weekly since 2001)
Bible Hour Program (1983-1990) at Southern Hills Church of Christ
University Committees
Faculty Renewal Leave Committee (2016-present)
Co-Chair Strategic Planning Task Force (2012-2013)
CAS Dean Search Committee (2009-2010)
Academic Review Committee (2007)
iPhone Research Group (2007-2009)
Center for Christians and the Arts Committee (2007-2009)
Faculty Development Committee (2001- 2005)
University Calendar Committee (2001- 2015)
College of Arts & Sciences Tenure/Promotion Committee (1999-2001)
Strategic Marketing Council (2000)
Selection Committee for chairman of the Department of Art (1998)
Performing Arts Center planning committee (1998-2003)
WACU Sewell Theatre Archival Committee (2002-2004)
Learning, Faith and Religious Heritage Committee (2001-2003)
Memberships
Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers
Christians in Theatre Arts
Texas Educational Theatre Association
Awards:
ACU Teacher of the Year 2007
Faith Integration Award (College of A & S) 2003-2004
Educator of the Year (College of A & S) 1998-99
Outstanding Teacher of the Year (College of Arts & Sciences): 1994-95
Abby Awards/nominations for directing (Abilene Reporter News):
Romeo and Juliet (2006)
Pride’s Crossing (2005)
Godspell (2004)
Guys & Dolls (2003)
Jekyll & Hyde (2002)
The Three Sisters (2001)
Moon Over Buffalo (2000)
Cedar Gap Homecoming (1999)
American College Theatre Festival Award for directing 2000
Production Grants
Written and received (production underwriting)
Target
Bill and Ann Bradshaw Stokes Foundation
Texas Commission on the Arts
Tobin Foundation
Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
The Community Foundation of Abilene
Additional Contributions
Promotional Materials
Theatre This Week Newsletter (weekly)
Season Ticket Brochure
Production programs
Production posters
Production Flyers/Patron Cards
Television Advertising
News releases
Web (acu.edu/theatre)
ACU Theatre Facebook page
Commissioned playwright to write on ethnic diversity and equality issues (Performed for Faculty Pre-Session 1999)
Guest speaker -- fundraising dinner for the Performing Arts Center, Dallas Crescent Court, April 29, 1999