SOSU Theatre Designer Receives Award

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
April 4, 2008

DURANT, Okla. ­ Dr. James G. Cunningham, Associate Professor of Theatre at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, recently received the Forrest A. Newlin Founders Award from the U. S. Institute for Theatre Technology - Southwest regional section. The award is given to a member of USITT-Southwest in recognition of outstanding lifetime service to the section in various areas, including leadership, volunteering and service.

The award is named for Dr. Forrest A. Newlin, a founding member and past Chair of USITT-SW and a former professor of design at several universities across the United States, including Texas Tech, the University of Oklahoma and Texas Christian University.

Cunningham also serves as "Theatre at Southeastern's" Designer and Technical Director,

Dr. Cunningham stated, "This award really means a great deal to me. Dr. Newlin was my mentor while I was a grad student at Texas Tech and he was a close friend for the rest of his career. It's such an honor to be recognized by my colleagues with this award."

As the recipient of the award, Dr. Cunningham was recognized for his work as a longtime member of the section, including recently completing a two-year term as the Chair of the section. He had also previously served several terms on the Board of Directors of USITT-Southwest as a Director-at-Large.

Dr. Cunningham is completing his 11th year at Southeastern. He has previously taught at colleges in Arkansas, Florida and Texas.

He received his B.F.A. in Theatre Production from Midwestern State University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Theatre Design and History/Criticism from Texas Tech University.

Dr. Cunningham lives in Durant with his wife Tonya, the Coordinator for Continuing Education at Southeastern, and their son Stephen.