Christians in the Arts

Today is the conclusion of my "How I Work" feature on Corrie Eddleman, who I interviewed last May. Corrie Eddleman is Assistant Professor of Acting at North Greenville University. She holds a BS in Theatre and Speech Communication from Hannibal LaGrange College and an MFA degree in Acting from Illinois State University. Corrie will begin her training as a Certified Alexander Teacher this summer and hopes to complete the program in 2012. A member of Actor’s Equity since 1999, she has worked professionally in New York, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and Texas. Most recently she was seen as Kate in Taming of the Shrew and Tamora in Titus Andronicus at The Illinois Shakespeare Festival in 2008. Corrie has also had the privilege to study acting with the Royal Shakespeare Company (Stratford, England), The National Theatre Institute and the Chautauqua Theatre Conservatory. In addition to teaching, acting and directing on campus she directs the Act Two traveling Drama Ministry Team. She is married to Matthew, a hospice chaplain with Spartanburg Regional.


LeAnne: What are you working on currently?

Corrie: Currently I am in the throws of directing The Miracle Worker at North Greenville University. The play tells the historical story of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. It is a story about rising above the difficult circumstances we encounter in our life. It is a story about strength, endurance, hope and redemption. The Christian surely can relate his/her life to Helen Keller’s struggle. As Christians we used to be moving about this earth blind, deaf, and ignorant of an amazing world of light and possibilities. Once we said “yes” to our Redeemer and Savior, we could not imagine living a life back in that darkness.

I am very excited about this production. We have a great cast who all are ready to take on this challenge. As a director, I will be applying Viewpoints, a technique developed by Tina Landau and Anne Bogart. Viewpoints helps develop a common vocabulary between director and actor as well as helps the actors create ensemble. My goal is to help the actors let go of performance anxiety so that their world on stage becomes second nature to them.