Judith Farris embarks on final year of teaching at Southeast's River Campus

Judith Farris, artist in residence and vocal director at the Conservatory of Theatre and Dance at Southeast Missouri State University, will retire from the university in May.

Farris, who moved back to Cape Girardeau and began teaching at Southeast in 2005, previously lived in New York City. She opened a private voice studio where she taught professional actors and dancers, many of whom went on to perform in principal and chorus roles on Broadway. She has continued some work at her studio throughout her time at Southeast.

Originally from Cape Girardeau, Farris left after she graduated from the university to perform professionally around the country and decided to come back to Southeast after a request from then-president Ken Dobbins.

"It was the right thing when I came here; I get that now why Dobbins thought it was important, because this community had been so good to me and followed me, and I wanted to give back," she said.

After working with students in Rose Theatre in the Grauel Building for a couple of years, Farris was able to transition with the Department of Theatre and Dance to the brand-new River Campus and began her tenure there by helping produce the facility's inaugural musical, "Big River."

Now, 10 years later, Farris will come full circle in February by working on her final main-stage musical production, the River Campus' 10th-anniversary performance of the Huckleberry Finn-inspired musical.

"I find that lovely -- as they say in 'The Lion King,' it comes full circle, the circle of life, and I feel like that's what I'm constantly in, the circle," she said.

Farris said she plans to move once May rolls around, but she hasn't decided on her destination yet. Her main goal is to find somewhere she can work and be involved in community events and activities.

"My leaving is bittersweet. ... It's just that feeling that it's time to go," she said. "I've been very directed spiritually on the right things to do at the right time, so this is no different. And I'm just changing my focus; I'm going to do everything I'm still doing, but under my own conditions, and I'm just changing my focus; that's all."

Farris has an extensive background in musical performance, including performances with the Opera of St. Louis, Tulsa Opera and the Washington Opera, among others. She has performed at the Chicago Opera Theater, the Connecticut Grand Opera, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and more. She has appeared with the Saint Louis Symphony, the National Symphony and the American Symphony, and has won numerous awards throughout her career.

lyoung@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3632