Shorter University student to perform at Tokyo festival

Rome, Ga. — Savannah Gillam, a sophomore musical theatre major at Shorter University, will travel to Japan in October to help spread a bit of early American culture to East Asia. 

The Acworth, Ga., native will spend Oct. 15-23 in Tokyo performing the songs of famous American songwriter Stephen Foster at the Paul Rusch Festival. Gillam will be traveling with the Stephen Foster Story, a company she worked with during the summer in Bardstown, Ky. The production group showcases work by Foster, including songs such as “Camptown Races,” “Oh! Susanna,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “My Old Kentucky Home.”

 “I am so excited to have the opportunity to be able to perform with the people I formed relationships with over the summer,” Gillam said. “And the fact that I’m going out of the country to perform is an amazing opportunity.”

Named for Kentucky native Paul Rusch, a missionary who is credited with introducing American football to Japan in the 1930s, the festival draws about 50,000 visitors annually. Events include music, dancing, cheerleading and even a tractor pull, all put together in the style of an American county fair. 

Dressed in hoop skirts and tuxedoes, the ensemble will sing concert-style each day in front of the Japanese crowd. This will be Gillam’s first time performing internationally, and she is most looking forward being immersed in another culture.

“It’s definitely going to be different than performing in America,” she said. “It will be a learning opportunity, and I hope to really get a chance to learn more about the Japanese culture while there.”

Gillam has been singing and acting since middle school, and she became serious about her career in musical theatre during her senior year at Allatoona High School. She said Shorter University was perfect fit for her because it balanced academics with a Christian community.

“I picked Shorter because I knew that they weren’t going to do shows that would conflict with what I believe in,” Gillam said. “It’s important to me to stay true to my faith even though I’m in an industry where that is sometimes difficult.”  

She hopes the trip to Japan will be a giant steppingstone to one of her goals upon graduation from Shorter.

“I would love to work at Disney for a few years, either with the cruise line or in Japan,” Gillam said. 

Sherri Seiden, her private voice instructor at Shorter said Gillam’s attitude and outlook on work and life will help her go far.

“She is definitely focused and clear-minded, ready to take on challenges and projects that are put before her,” Seiden said. “I believe the trip to Japan will enhance her opportunities for the future, including Broadway — which I truly believe is in her future.  As she finishes her degree at Shorter University, it will be a springboard for other successes in her continued education.”

Joining her in Tokyo will be her parents, Ben and Sandy Gillam.

“They are really, really excited about coming to see our performance at the festival,” Gillam said. “I learned after being away this past summer that I am appreciative of them wanting to be involved in my work. And the fact that they want to come and visit me all the way in Japan is a blessing.”

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian university committed to excellence in education. The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its list of best value and best Southeastern Colleges. Shorter University is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Shorter offers traditional bachelor’s degree program in 48 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, and four master’s programs. Shorter is online at www.shorter.edu.