The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts at Northwestern State University will induct Professor of Theatre Dr. Vicki Parrish into the CAPA Hall of Fame Saturday, April 21.
A reception to honor Parrish will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. in the Orville Hanchey Art Gallery.
“CAPA is honored to induct another one of our own faculty into the Hall of Fame,” said Dr. Greg Handel, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Mrs. H.D. Dear and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts. “Affectionately known as Dr. P., Vicki has influenced the lives of hundreds of students in the Creative and Performing Arts, been an inspiration as a professor and director, been a confidant for faculty and students, been an outstanding advisor and has maintained a tireless commitment to the Creative and Performing Arts and their advancement at NSU and throughout the community. Her entire life has been dedicated to the arts as a professor in theatre for the past 40 years. It is only fitting that we honor her with this award.”
Parrish joined Northwestern State’s faculty in 1977 and has worked as an educator, director and choreographer. She has also been active in the community, serving as president of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches.
“I do a job that I love,” said Parrish. “To have an opportunity to work with inspiring colleagues and Northwestern students is a gift. All of the people in our department work so hard. I am stunned and surprised to receive this honor.”
Parrish earned a bachelor’s at West Georgia College and her master’s and doctorate at Louisiana State University. After four decades in the classroom, Parrish continues to learn from her students.
“I learn something new every day,” she said. “Our students amaze me. They have such a broad vision of a subject and can come up with so many varied interpretations of a play written 500 years ago.”
Parrish is the ninth inductee into the CAPA Hall of Fame.
Following the reception in her honor, guests are invited to attend NSU Theatre’s production of “Into the Woods” at 7:30 p.m. in A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. More information is available at theatre.nsula.edu.
