Fall GTA season starts this week

Students are about to hit the stage for the fall season of Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA). The opening play is "Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook," set for Oct. 3-5 at Pearce Auditorium on Brenau University's campus in Gainesville, Georgia.

The second play this fall is "Sister Act," which runs Nov. 7-15 at Hosch Theatre at Brenau.

GTA is an inter-collegiate theatre collaboration between UNG and Brenau. Formed in 1979, GTA focuses on producing high-quality, university theatrical productions and provides students access to learning opportunities between both universities.

Saif Zalmiyar, a junior from Snellville, Georgia, pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in theatre arts and a degree in English with a literature concentration, started at UNG pursuing a degree in engineering before shifting gears. Through multiple roles as either a lead character and understudy for a lead, Zalmiyar has enjoyed learning about the roles and how to portray the experiences of his characters.

In "Sister Act," he is playing Eddie, a police officer who puts Deloris in witness protection in a convent. Zalmiyar appreciates the applicability of "Sister Act" to everyday life.

"Deloris uses what she knows to help other people in their journey, and they do the same," Zalmiyar said. "We all know things another person doesn't know. We can learn from each other."

Meanwhile, he is excited about the ways both degrees he is pursuing are preparing him for his goals of graduate school, acting and film work.

"I'm constantly learning and being challenged in different ways," Zalmiyar said.

Kailey Avera, a junior from Danielsville, Georgia, also pursuing a B.F.A. in theatre arts, is the assistant choreographer for "Sister Act." She is excited to work alongside professional Kari Twyman, a GTA alumna who is serving as director and choreographer.

"This is the kind of artist we hope they become and aspire to," said Zechariah Pierce, associate director of theatre in the School of Communication, Film & Theatre and GTA artistic director. "Bringing Kari into this space is so important for us to continue to support our alumni and highlight them to our students.

Avera's goal is to pursue choreography in film and theatre when she graduates. Her time in GTA is laying the groundwork.

"GTA has really taught me how to fully delve into my craft and how to network with people," Avera said. "They have taught me how to really analyze the story I'm trying to bring to life."

Luiza Parodia Penha, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a B.F.A. in theatre arts, is serving as assistant director of the Junie B. Jones production. While most of the showings of the play are on the weekend, students will also produce the play multiple times for elementary and middle school students during the week.

"Having local schools come in and watch the show is important to me," Parodia Penha said. "There's a lot of education that comes through in theatre."'

She spent the summer as a teaching artist at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, a year after working as an intern there, before returning to UNG this fall. The senior is also directing a short film this fall with film students in UNG's School of Communication, Film & Theatre.

Parodia Penha said she often sees alumni finding success and makes sure to ask faculty members how to reach such heights herself.

"The professors are invested in our success as people," she said. "They've always been willing to give me that feedback and help me do what I need to get opportunities."