Kaucher Mitchell Contest for Excellence in Oral Interpretation

90.5 FM KSJS and the Department of Television-Radio-Film and Theatre present
"The Kaucher Mitchell" Contest for Excellence in Oral Interpretation
- Friday, May 12, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Hal Todd Theatre (Hugh Gillis Hall)
located at 5th and San Fernando Streets in downtown San Jose.

Students compete in the craft of oral interpretation and storytelling, performing
literary selections, to earn the title of Kaucher Fellow. Admission
is free of charge and complimentary champagne and appetizers will be served.
This event will be broadcast live on 90.5 FM KSJS with your host Ramon
Johnson, public affairs director of KSJS and a multiple Kaucher Mitchell
finalist.

The Kaucher Contest for Excellence in Oral Interpretation began under the
direction of Dr. Dorothy Kaucher sometime in the 1940's. Dr.
Kaucher founded, supervised, and made a huge success of SJSU's Speech and Drama
Department's area of Oral Interpretation, Readers Theatre, and Radio Theatre
and Announcing. The contest featured student Oral Interpretation performances
of literary selections. The winner was awarded a cash prize.

Upon Dr. Kaucher's retirement in the late 1950's, Professor Noreen
La Barge Mitchell took the helm and not only added the art of Storytelling
to the program, but, as well, directed a Readers Theatre production each semester
and continued the Kaucher Contest. Each semester Professor Mitchell would send
Dr. Kaucher the programs from the contest's preliminary and final events along
with a brief bio of the winner.

Upon her death, Dr. Kaucher willed a very generous cash endowment to the department
of Television-Radio-Film and Theatre for the promotion of the art of Oral Interpretation.
At this point Professor Mitchell established the Kaucher Fellowship. The Kaucher
Fellow is given a cash award of $500.00 for their dedication to and promotion
of the oral tradition, specifically, the arts of Oral Interpretation and Storytelling.
The Television-Radio-Film and Theatre Departments Alumni Room displays a plaque
honoring Dr. Kaucher and each Kaucher Fellow since its inception in 1980.

After a successful and celebrated tenure, Professor Mitchell retired in the
mid 1980's. Professor Richard Parks (a former student of Professor Mitchell)
continued the program most successfully, but upon his retirement a few years
later the program, though always valued, floundered.

Instructor Beverly Swanson (also a former student of Professor
Mitchell) joined the faculty in 1992 and lovingly resurrected the program, adding
the art of Voice-Over to the mix. Mrs. Swanson also resumed the contest for
Excellence in Oral Interpretation, which now awards excellence in Storytelling,
as well. Most importantly, however, Mrs. Swanson is responsible for the addition
of the most deserved and long overdue "Mitchell" to the name of this
event that honors students' excellence in the craft.

Event Details