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By LAUREN KEATON
Entertainment Editor

Earlier this year, The Tyler Civic Theatre Center introduced a new program to East Texas, allowing theatre students and community members an opportunity to measure themselves against an international standard through the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art examinations.

Dozens of interested kids, teens and adults signed up for the opportunity, prepared to put their best foot forward, and now, as LAMDA examiner, Priscilla Morris arrives in Tyler, it is show time.

“This will be as much about taking the exam as taking the experience. I have been very impressed (with the area). I take it this is East Texas hospitality,” Ms. Morris said, laughing. “The people here really have a forward thinking attitude and want this to work.”

Ms. Morris, a well-known British educator, has been working with LAMDA since 1986.

She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

In 1972 she founded her own drama school in the Midlands, where she continues to teach children and adults at all levels.

Her extensive experience in amateur theater includes directing more than 40 plays for youth and adult theatre, as well as performing in genres from Shakespeare and Restoration comedy to pantomime and modern farce.

Since joining the LAMDA board in 1986, she has conducted examinations throughout Great Britain and Ireland, as well as other international sites.

She is an adjudicator in speech and drama for the British Federation of Festivals in Britain, Bermuda, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.

She has delivered her practical Shakespeare workshops in many locations, including Singapore and Bermuda.

In 1997, she published “Introducing Shakespeare to Young People.”

Ms. Morris’ particular interest is voice production.

Her company, Loud and Clear, offers courses on vocal development throughout the United Kingdom, and she is a trustee of the Voice Care Network.

Monday night, a reception welcoming her to Tyler was held.

She will be conducting examinations through the end of the week.

She said she is enjoying herself on her first trip to Texas and hopes to be back.

“I am delighted to be the first LAMDA examiner to visit Texas,’’ she said. “LAMDA is always looking at ways to expand its examinations offering worldwide and is pleased and fortunate to be working with Tyler Civic Theatre Center. I believe this is the beginning of a long and prosperous relationship for both organizations.”

DeAnna Hargrove and Felicity Enas, directors from TCT, spearheaded the implementation of this program and could not be more thrilled to see their efforts realized.

“We are very excited and we have had a great response,” Ms. Hargrove said.

According to TCT officials, 65 individuals signed up for the first round of LAMDA examinations.

When the idea was originally presented, Ms. Hargrove and Ms. Enas were worried they wouldn’t be able to round up the 30 people to ensure an examiner would fly to East Texas.

Looking back, it seems the directors worries were in vain.

TCT is one of only two sites in the United States to offer these examinations from LAMDA, which Ms. Hargrove said "is one of the most prestigious theatrical training institutions in the world."

In the 1880s, LAMDA began offering examinations for others beyond its own student body. Now, the examinations are offered worldwide -- from 2006-07 alone, LAMDA performed 70,000 examinations in 24 countries.

TCTC officials said an impressive evaluation from LAMDA is considered a significant addition to any resume, whether performance or business oriented.

“I think both students and veteran actors see the value of adding the LAMDA accomplishments to their resume whether in college or already in the job market,” Ms. Hargrove said. “They offer a life-long training for public speaking and a life-long confidence in any venue, whether it is the work-place or on stage. It is a positive life-choice and a positive career choice, no matter what your profession.”

The director said they are not sure if another opportunity will be offered as soon as the fall, but she is sure they will be continuing the program.

“After evaluation of the spring session we will decide if we’ll offer it in the fall. But, we will aim to have another opportunity next spring. And hopefully in the future, we will be able to offer the examinations twice a year, one in the spring and one in the fall,” she said.

But, she is not stopping there. Ms. Hargrove said expanding the program will also be on the agenda.

“We also hope to increase the offerings. There are musical theatre examinations as well as public speaking, and we would like to explore that as well. We currently don’t have anyone examining in public speaking but we hope to next time,” she said. “Quite honestly, the majority of the exam candidates are concentrating on monologue and duet acting. We have a few that are examining in verse and prose which are fundamental in understanding the language and speech delivery and voice production. We would like to increase the number of examinees in verse and prose.”

LAMDA tests are not pen and paper affairs.

Rather, they call upon the candidate to perform, as an examiner evaluates their skills.

When candidates for the tests sign up, they are given curriculum guides for the tests they select so that they can study and practice to meet the examiners’ expectations.

Examinees receive feedback on their performances, as well as a certificate of accomplishment.

For more information about the LAMDA examinations, including a full set of frequently asked questions, an application form and a brief overview about the Acting Conservatory, log on to the TCTC Web site at www.tylercivic-theatre.com or call the TCTC box office at 903-592-0561.

The Tyler Civic Theatre Center is a non-profit regional theater organization operating two stages -- Braithwaite and Rogers Children's Theatres -- and a year-round educational program.

It is located at 400 Rose Park Drive, in Tyler.