Frank Hayden Hall F Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70807

"I was a young Instructor in Theatre from 1974-1977. It was a great stage space and had a good scene shop where I perfected the use of a vacuform machine for molded scenery (my specialty). Dr. Frank Hayden was in the Art Dept. and I gained great respect for his sculptures. He was working on a wood carving he would call the "sequence of life" and it inspired me to hone my craft. I also have fond memories of the theatre's Dr Maurice Berger and Dr Henry Young. My most memorable event was being the scenic designer and technical director for Porgy and Bess, the opera, which was staged with the music department and Ms. Fran Ellis as musical director and Dr Young as stage director. The production in 1976, was part of the 200th anniversary of the US. We were the first non-union organization to be given the rights to produce this work. Several New York actors lead the company and the production was so large that it eventually had to be mounted at the LSU dome. Our dome had just been completed but did not have the necessary equipment to turn it into a concert hall. The night we closed we had to break down the set and hall it off to make way for an Elvis Presley concert, so I missed the fantastic cast party but I still have my commentative silver engraved cup. I also got to meet "the King". I wish the current staff and students are building the same type of memories that will last you a life time."

"The theater is newly renovated, the faculty is motivated and the show was great."