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CCSU students advance in regional theater competition
by SCOTT WHIPPLE, Staff Writer
NEW BRITAIN -- Central Connecticut State University Theatre students advanced at the recent Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region I held in Fitchburg, Mass.

Thom Delventhal, CCSU associate professor of theatre, said the festival featured performances by universities and colleges from throughout New England, as well as workshops led by prominent theater professionals. Delventhal and Josh Perlstein, CCSU associate professor of theatre, completed their tenure as co-vice chairs of KCACTF's New England Region.

“The workshops range from working with ‘smart lights,’ a new generation of light with amazing programmable flexibility, to improvisation with The Gotham City Improv Company to practical advice about the business, led by casting directors,” Delventhal said.

During the event, recent CCSU graduate Jon Cahill received the TVI Actor’s Award, a scholarship to Talent Ventures Inc.’s program in Los Angeles. He was one of six finalists selected for this distinction. TVI, an educational institution, provides actors with practical knowledge about training marketing their talents.

“Winning a TVI scholarship is a great honor and a great opportunity for a student actor,” Perlstein said. “TVI understands the needs of the actor and those who offer employment in the highly competitive entertainment marketplace. TVI has advanced the careers of Courtney Cox, Sandra Bullock, and Tony award-winner Tonya Pinkins, among many others. We are very proud that Jon Cahill’s dedicated work at CCSU was rewarded.”

Cahill and his partner, Danielle See, a junior, were among 16 out of 150 couples that advanced in the Regional Finals for the national Irene Ryan Scholarship competition.

“Ryan was a longtime stage and screen actor known most recently for her role as Granny in the hit TV series ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’” according to Jennifer Ouelette, CCSU university assistant.

The Irene Ryan Foundation donates scholarships to young KCACTF theater arts students.

CCSU senior Stefanie Seng and her partner, sophomore Colin Longstaff, were advanced to the semifinal in the competition.

Selection of CCSU student Jane Harris’ play for the American College Theatre Festival in Washington in the spring was a significant accomplishment at this year's KCACTF Regional event.

Out of 60 undergraduate and graduate submissions read, Harris’ play “The Arena, Inc.” was one of five 10-minute plays selected. Harris is a theatre minor with a major in English at CCSU.

“This year's event was the first time that a CCSU student-written play was chosen and is the result of a burgeoning playwriting program led by Prof. Anna Dolan,” Perlstein said. “The play depicts the corruption of the corporate world and how it ultimately condemns people who are forced to make a choice between personal fulfillment and corporate loyalty.”

Other performances by CCSU students recognized for nomination to the KCACTF Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition were Jon Cahill, John Swift, and Jillian Kellogg for their work in the production of David Mamet’s black comedy "Speed-The-Plow" and Stephen Dexter, and Stephanie Seng for their roles in Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Angels In America, Part I."

The National Festival will be held in Washington, D.C., from April 17 through 23. Region I institutions from six New England states compose Region I of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

Scott Whipple can be reached at swhipple@newbritainherald.com or by calling (860) 225-4601, Ext. 224.

©The Herald 2006

 
 

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