Greensboro College Faculty Members Presents Scenery and Painting Techniques to Scenic Artists’ Unions in New York

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Greensboro College’s John Saari, professor of theatre, and his son Sean Saari ’12, adjunct instructor of technical theatre, presented techniques of scenic painting and texturing processes to scenic artist apprentices and other theatre union members recently in Staten Island, N.Y.

The Saaris were among only a few experts invited to present at the first Scenic Materials Fair and Apprentices Day, sponsored by the United Scenic Artists Local 829 and the International Alliance of Theatre Stagehands & Electricians.

Other presenters included Otto Medvedesky, a scenic artist on the recent John Wick “Parabellum” movie.

The Saaris also will be presenting workshops during the Fall 2019 United States Institute of Theatre Technology — Southeastern Section master classes, being held Sept. 6-7 at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

They will offer two workshops over three sessions: “Mixing it Up,” an expanded texturing workshop that builds on the workshop the Saaris offered at the 2018 USITT-SS master classes at Coastal Carolina University, and “Scrimmage Fun!,” in which the Saaris will instruct participants on how to paint on scrim fabrics and then develop fluorescent three-demensional details.

John Saari holds a B.A. from Lake Superior University and an M.F.A. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He joined the faculty in 1990.

Sean Saari holds a B.A. from Greensboro College and an M.F.A. from the University of Georgia. He joined the faculty in 2016.

Greensboro College’s Department of Theatre seeks to provide a strong foundation in theatre while allowing the student to emphasize in a particular area such as directing, acting, or arts administration.

The coursework is integrated with the production work to provide a better understanding of the many facets of the theatre. Required participation on stage or backstage on all theatre productions allows the techniques and theories that are examined in the classroom and the laboratory to be tested in a performance setting.

For more information on the program, contact David Schram at 336-272-7102, ext. 5243, or email schramd@greensboro.edu.

Greensboro College provides a liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and, spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.

Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, the college enrolls about 1,000 students from 29 states and territories, the District of Columbia, and seven foreign countries in its undergraduate liberal-arts program and six master’s degree programs. In addition to rigorous academics and a well-supported Honors program, the school features a 17-sport NCAA Division III athletic program and dozens of service and recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.greensboro.edu.

Think critically. Act justly. Live faithfully.

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Media Contact:
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“I loved the GC Honors program and Greensboro College. I felt safe and a sense of genuine belonging at the college. I worked closely with my thesis advisor and professors who helped inspire me to define my path and passion of interest. That path has led me to my doctoral studies in Engineering Mechanics.”

- Joshua Fitzgerald, Class of ’19, Mathematics Major

Joshua currently studies astrodynamics at Virginia Tech University and is an Engineering Mechanics Ph.D. Candidate.