Danielle Watts is currently Actors Theatre's director of eduction and has been with the theatre for eight years.

One of the newest additions to the Humana Festival of New American Plays is designed specifically for college students and their professors. College Days not only offers a chance to see the freshest new works in full production, it offers a glimpse behind the curtain in sessions with playwrights, directors, designers and dramaturgs.

"What a wonderful offering to local and regional institutions and young aspiring theatre artists."

That was the feedback from a University of Tennessee professor who attended college days with students in 2005. A student from Boston University said: "I loved meeting other students with my interests and having the chance to see behind the scenes and attend the Humana Festival shows, which were AMAZING."

Danielle Watts helps organize College Days. She’s directed the education department at Actors Theatre for five years, and worked in communications before that. The 2006 festival will be her eighth.

"This is the fourth year for College Days," she says. "The purpose is to give college students and professors an opportunity to learn about professional theatre and the possibilities for work in professional theatre."

In 2005, the program really exploded, Danielle says, with attendance tripling to 70 participants. Their sessions included a meeting with Carlyle Brown, the writer of Pure Confidence. "They also watched technical rehearsals and meet directors."

The weekend also gives students a chance to audition or interview for positions in Actors Theatre’s Apprentice/Intern Company.

"It’s nice that we’re starting to develop a reputation that colleges can turn to us," Danielle says. "These are the people you want to be interested in theatre as audience members or theatre-makers of the future."

— Raven J. Railey