Recover GFU Theatre Acting Class with Cristi Miles
Donation protected
Hello Alumni, family and friends of the George Fox Theatre community.
After the recent announcement that the Theatre Major at George Fox University has been dissolved, several alumni wanted to find a way to support current Fox students and Faculty who have been affected by this decision.
We are reaching out to ask for a donation in support of supplemental coursework for current Theatre students finishing out their training at George Fox with their current acting teacher Cristi Miles.
The Theatre education we have seen and experienced in our time at George Fox has taught us to be curious, passionate and empathetic storytellers, and we want the current students to receive this same level of education. Since the administration has decided not to continue their investment in the Theatre Major, we as a part of the theatre community want to bridge that gap for the students and ask you to join us.
Changes due to the Major being cut:
Due to the Theatre Major at George Fox University being dissolved, the university made cost-saving cuts, one of which included the elimination of Cristi’s position as the primary acting professor. This means that Cristi has not been rehired by the university to teach-out the degree and will not be returning to Fox in Fall of 2021. Rhett Luedtke, the department head, is returning to the role and will be teaching the remainder of the acting classes. As anyone who has taken classes with him knows, Rhett is a loved professor and a skilled teacher who has been responsible for the successful training of many generations of Fox Theatre Majors. He brings expertise in the fields of directing, acting, theatre history and dramaturgy. The addition of Cristi’s position at the University made space for Rhett to step away from his role as acting teacher and focus on developing projects like The Big Bridge Theatre Consortium, a consortium Rhett conceived to support Universities across the nation who are committed to developing new plays that promote peace and interfaith dialogue.
Cristi’s Impact:
Cristi has been an irreplaceable addition to the Theatre department. In addition to teaching all of the acting classes for theatre majors, Cristi has directed two productions at George Fox, mentored acting students, helped students establish connections and opportunities in the professional theatre world, and served as a guiding force for students navigating their relationship to theatre, their faith, and the world. Her continued work in the professional realm with PETE, ICP, and many other reputable theatre companies have enriched her impact on the Fox Theatre department. No less significant is the personal experience she brings as a woman, a mother, and a first-generation Mexican American.
What we are raising money for:
We know that Cristi’s training, insight and presence is essential to preparing George Fox Theatre students for their professional careers. Because of Covid-19 and remote learning, many current Fox students have not had the opportunity to complete all or even half of the full curriculum of in-person acting classes with Cristi. As a result, we want to raise funds for a supplemental Movement and Voice acting class with Cristi for students to take outside of the university. This will be a three hour course taught on Saturdays of the Fall 2021 Semester by Cristi Miles at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg. Our goal is to raise $7,200 to cover the costs of space rental, hiring Cristi, and related costs so that 12 students can take the course.
Why it matters:
- We believe in the value of Theatre Education and training and we have seen how it enriches individuals and the community.
- We know that theatre happens when you have artists collaborating in a room together and that in-person training is essential to that education.
- We recognize that Cristi was a vital addition to the Theatre Department, and without her students will not receive the same scope of training.
- We know that the Fox Theatre department fosters a safe community for students to explore their art and faith and we want to give the gift of a free course to the current students so they can continue that exploration in a safe space with a trusted professor.
Thank you for your continued support of the students and faculty of the GFU Theatre community. We are deeply grateful to you and your donation is going to directly benefit students affected by this loss.
***This GoFundMe and course is NOT in association with or funded by George Fox University. The materialization of this class will be due to the efforts of alumni, community members and friends of the Theatre community who see the value of the Theatre degree and want to support the current students.***
More about Cristi's impact:
Taking Up Space A documentary about Cristi and her impact by Nicola Pieper
After the recent announcement that the Theatre Major at George Fox University has been dissolved, several alumni wanted to find a way to support current Fox students and Faculty who have been affected by this decision.
We are reaching out to ask for a donation in support of supplemental coursework for current Theatre students finishing out their training at George Fox with their current acting teacher Cristi Miles.
The Theatre education we have seen and experienced in our time at George Fox has taught us to be curious, passionate and empathetic storytellers, and we want the current students to receive this same level of education. Since the administration has decided not to continue their investment in the Theatre Major, we as a part of the theatre community want to bridge that gap for the students and ask you to join us.
Changes due to the Major being cut:
Due to the Theatre Major at George Fox University being dissolved, the university made cost-saving cuts, one of which included the elimination of Cristi’s position as the primary acting professor. This means that Cristi has not been rehired by the university to teach-out the degree and will not be returning to Fox in Fall of 2021. Rhett Luedtke, the department head, is returning to the role and will be teaching the remainder of the acting classes. As anyone who has taken classes with him knows, Rhett is a loved professor and a skilled teacher who has been responsible for the successful training of many generations of Fox Theatre Majors. He brings expertise in the fields of directing, acting, theatre history and dramaturgy. The addition of Cristi’s position at the University made space for Rhett to step away from his role as acting teacher and focus on developing projects like The Big Bridge Theatre Consortium, a consortium Rhett conceived to support Universities across the nation who are committed to developing new plays that promote peace and interfaith dialogue.
Cristi’s Impact:
Cristi has been an irreplaceable addition to the Theatre department. In addition to teaching all of the acting classes for theatre majors, Cristi has directed two productions at George Fox, mentored acting students, helped students establish connections and opportunities in the professional theatre world, and served as a guiding force for students navigating their relationship to theatre, their faith, and the world. Her continued work in the professional realm with PETE, ICP, and many other reputable theatre companies have enriched her impact on the Fox Theatre department. No less significant is the personal experience she brings as a woman, a mother, and a first-generation Mexican American.
What we are raising money for:
We know that Cristi’s training, insight and presence is essential to preparing George Fox Theatre students for their professional careers. Because of Covid-19 and remote learning, many current Fox students have not had the opportunity to complete all or even half of the full curriculum of in-person acting classes with Cristi. As a result, we want to raise funds for a supplemental Movement and Voice acting class with Cristi for students to take outside of the university. This will be a three hour course taught on Saturdays of the Fall 2021 Semester by Cristi Miles at the Chehalem Cultural Center in Newberg. Our goal is to raise $7,200 to cover the costs of space rental, hiring Cristi, and related costs so that 12 students can take the course.
Why it matters:
- We believe in the value of Theatre Education and training and we have seen how it enriches individuals and the community.
- We know that theatre happens when you have artists collaborating in a room together and that in-person training is essential to that education.
- We recognize that Cristi was a vital addition to the Theatre Department, and without her students will not receive the same scope of training.
- We know that the Fox Theatre department fosters a safe community for students to explore their art and faith and we want to give the gift of a free course to the current students so they can continue that exploration in a safe space with a trusted professor.
Thank you for your continued support of the students and faculty of the GFU Theatre community. We are deeply grateful to you and your donation is going to directly benefit students affected by this loss.
***This GoFundMe and course is NOT in association with or funded by George Fox University. The materialization of this class will be due to the efforts of alumni, community members and friends of the Theatre community who see the value of the Theatre degree and want to support the current students.***
More about Cristi's impact:
Taking Up Space A documentary about Cristi and her impact by Nicola Pieper
Organizer and beneficiary
JeanneAnn Faris
Organizer
Newberg, OR
Cristi Miles
Beneficiary