Meet Our Faculty
Susan Picinich
- Title
- Professor of theatre; associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences
- Department
- Theatre
- Areas of interest
- Costume design, theatrical makeup, construction and theatre production
Note: Professor Picinich has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar grant to lecture at the National Academy of Theatre and Film Arts in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the spring semester of the 2008-2009 academic year. She will teach theatrical design workshops, share current American theatre practices, and collaborate with Bulgarian colleagues on curriculum planning strategies.
What are the strengths of the theatre department?
It really is the most complete theatre program in northern New England. You can focus on acting, direction, production, and some dance program and history. It’s more comprehensive than any other program in Maine.
What role does interactive learning play in the theatre program?
In theatre, production is the same thing as lab in science. You actually do the work. There’s a certain amount of college credit involved; you’re directly supervised by faculty and staff. The regular schedule within the Department every year calls for about six productions, most are in Russell Hall in Gorham. Once a year we put on a show at the St. Lawrence Performing Arts Center on Munjoy Hill in Portland.
It’s not unusual for some nontraditional students to come to us, because they’re involved in shows in town and they take some courses. You can’t go anywhere in town without running into a USM theatre student, alum, or, a faculty member.
What notable professional experience has influenced your teaching?
I’ve always been involved with either professional or academic theatre. I worked one summer in the Williamstown (Massachusetts) Theatre Festival. That was an experience of professionally producing plays, all day, every day. While that was fun for a short time, for me it lacked a sense of being a fully rounded experience. I like to bring what I do professionally back to students. That rounds things out for me.
I had a great experience working on the stage production of “Beauty and the Beast,” in Los Angeles in 1995, and again when I was on sabbatical working on the movie “Sabrina.” The exciting part for me was taking that experience and later sharing it with the next generation.
Are costume design or theatre production things students enter the program thinking about? Or are they some things they discover?
Some have interest in fashion and in making costumes, and then design is something they discover. Backstage people want to know how things work under the hood. The more they learn, the better critics they become of productions. Some say they can’t enjoy watching a show any more. Instead of enjoying it, they’re busy examining what went into it!
Do you see yourself in your students? If so, how does that affect your approach?
People who really love theatre will do anything to be involved with it. There’s a real sense of we’re all in this together. Students are tremendously dedicated to the work.
What is your role in students’ lives?
Always a teacher of some kind, and I play the role of mentor. Because students and faculty all work together, we’re also colleagues. We need to keep professional distance, but I try to be open with students on a personal level. You can’t be creating works of art with people without letting them know when something touches you deeply. As students progress through the program, there’s a transition from being students and faculty to becoming colleagues.
What surprises you about USM students?
I’m surprised by how amazingly talented so many of them are. Some come from high school theatre programs, some have been home schooled. They’re so natural. They’re willing to be open and brave about getting in touch with their emotions and sharing who they are. They rank up there with the very best. People think you need to be sophisticated and glamorous to succeed in theatre. It really has more to do with a willingness to let people see who you really are.
Think about some memorable students. What makes them stand out?
The most memorable ones are always the ones who want to try everything. They come in open-minded, willing to broaden their base. Right at eighteen, in their first semester, they want to try all different aspects of the program, from play writing to lighting design. They are the ones who take leadership roles by their sophomore or junior years, start directing the student group, then move onto the main stage.
What local resources do you use to enrich students’ opportunities to learn?
A lot of our students start with the resources right at USM. Some go on to full-fledged internships with Portland Stage Company and the Maine State Music Theatre. There are a number of other groups in town. We encourage students to pursue opportunities, so long as the groups allow them to keep up with their school work.
Where do you live and why?
Scarborough. I live on the marsh, and I could never leave.
What do you like about living in the Portland area?
Portland and Brunswick are the hub of the arts in Maine. I’ve always had plenty of opportunity to work. There are such vibrant cultural and arts scenes. At USM, there’s such a strong Art Department and School of Music, we collaborate to create an integrated art experience. Portland is an extension of that, a great place for music, art, and theatre.
