I’m guessing most of you are familiar with the infamous saying: “Those that can, do; those that can’t, teach.” Well, with all due respect to the great George Bernard Shaw, I couldn’t disagree more. This is certainly not true of Southern Virginia University's Theatre program faculty. We believe “master-doers” make the best teachers. So, in addition to our important role as educators, we actively seek out opportunities to put into practice professionally what we teach our students.
In just the past 2 months, I’ve performed in two professional theatre productions. In July and August I had the extraordinary experience of playing the role of King Lear in the new musical, MUSE!, at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. This required me to apply acting principles of auditioning, developing character, movement, and Shakespearean speech skills during the audition and rehearsal processes in New York City and as we staged and maintained our show at the Fringe.
Then, upon returning from Scotland to SVU last week, I immediately jumped into rehearsals to play Alfred P. Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Alluvion Stage Company in Lynchburg, VA! We open this weekend!
Participating in both of these productions has strengthened my skills as an actor, developed professional connections, provided valuable performing experience, expanded my views and understanding of theatre’s purposes and role in society, and helped improve me as a “master-doer” teacher. I now get to share this enhanced knowledge and understanding with our SVU Theatre students.
These recent performing experiences are simply a continued extension of my 25 years as a professional performer. My teaching expertise in the fields of acting and musical theatre has been developed and honed over the course of a widespread career comprised of leading roles in national and international Broadway tours, numerous regional theater productions across the country, award-winning films, new works readings, solo concert performances in distinguished venues nationwide, and voice-over recording projects. These real-world, professional experiences as a performer allow me to offer SVU students instruction and career advice in the fields of acting, musical theatre, film, and concert performance that I have both studied and applied extensively. I know the business of show business because I’ve successfully navigated it at its highest levels. And there’s nothing I love more than sharing this expertise and the lessons I’ve learned along the way with the wonderful students at SVU, both as a mentor and a teacher.
As a life-long, active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I have a strong desire to not only provide my students with the tools they need to succeed as theatre professionals, but also to help them succeed spiritually. I have confronted countless spiritual challenges throughout my career and learned valuable lessons from these experiences that have helped me stay committed to my faith in Jesus Christ and His Restored Gospel. I’m grateful for the unique opportunities I have at SVU to discuss the theatre profession in the light and teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with my students and share with them the wisdom and knowledge I have gained. It’s my greatest hope that my students will remain disciples of Christ throughout their lives and gain the strength of testimony and conversion they need to stand strong when confronted with the great temptations and doctrines of men that are so prevalent in this profession.
In my humble, albeit biased, opinion, I think we can correctly say that, “Those that can, do; those that do it best, teach at SVU!” I love our university. I love our theatre program. And I would love to share my expertise as a theatre professional and my commitment to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ with any of you who would like to join us! Please reach out to our wonderful SVU admissions team, or send me an email at dallyn.bayles@svu.edu, to learn more!