Theatre Students Compete in Festival

Nine students in Westminster College's theatre department participated in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition at the Region II Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) held Jan. 2-7 at Carnegie Mellon University.

"Through state, regional, and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another's work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theatre artists," said Dr. Scott Mackenzie, Westminster College assistant professor of theatre and faculty adviser to several of the students. "The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design."

"Our students were nominated to compete based on their outstanding work in various Theatre Westminster productions during the last year," he added.

Danielle Adams, a senior broadcast communications major, is a daughter of Daniel and Susan Adams of Marblehead, Ohio, and a graduate of Danbury Local High School. She was nominated for her performance as Kate Keller in "All My Sons."

Gabriela Hills, a junior English and theatre major, is a daughter of Wesley and Terri Hills of Encinitas, Calif. She was nominated for her portrayal of Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream," but did not return from California to attend the festival, which was held over the holiday break.

Marisa Monahan, a sophomore theatre major, is a daughter of Mark and Sharon Monahan of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Brentwood Middle-High School. She was nominated for her portrayal of Ann Deaver, also in "All My Sons." Unfortunately, she was not able to perform due to illness.

Joel Montgomery, a senior English major, is a son of Jay and Sue Montgomery of Knox and a graduate of Keystone High School. He was nominated for his performance as Bottom in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

Amber Scalfari, a senior theatre and fine art major, is a daughter of Larry and Desiree Scalfari of Littleton, Colo., and a graduate of New Castle High School. She was recommended for her performance in "The Bear," one of two one-act plays by Chekhov that comprises Love among the Russians.

Ian Turner, a junior music education major, is a son of C. David Turner and Sharon Turner, both of Grove City, and a graduate of Grove City High School. He was also nominated for his performance in "The Bear."

In addition to the Irene Ryan competition, Scalfari and Turner were invited to perform a scene from "The Bear" to showcase their talent. The invited scene provided an opportunity for the students to share their work with other schools in the region, but was not part of the competition.

"In the preliminary round of competition, each nominee needs a partner to perform with them," said Mackenzie. "Partners give a full memorized stage performance along with the nominee."

Students who attended the competition as partners were:

Joshua Anderson, a senior broadcast communications major, is a son of Richard Anderson of Akron, Ohio, and a graduate of Green High School. He partnered with Turner.

Leah Hesch, a senior English major, is a daughter of Thomas and Joanne Hesch of Erie and a graduate of Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. She partnered with Scalfari.

Lauren Ritter, a freshman elementary education major, is a daughter of Joseph and Lorraine Ritter of Monroeville and a graduate of Gateway High School. She partnered with Montgomery. In addition, she performed in a reading of "Dreaming of Darfur," a new 10-minute play.

Barry Unis, a senior psychology major, is a son of Ron and Maria Unis of Aliquippa and a graduate of Hopewell High School. A past Ryan nominee, he partnered with Adams, and was scheduled to partner with Monahan.

Mackenzie is on the KCACTF Regional Leadership Task Force and is the workshop coordinator for the region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. He solicited colleagues to present workshops at the festival and coordinated the scheduling.

"This year we had nearly 100 workshops," said Mackenzie, "including one I presented a workshop for faculty members about responding to regional productions."

Contact Mackenzie at (724) 946-6238 or e-mail mackensa@westminster.edu for additional information. For additional information about KCACTF, visit www.kcactf.org.