University of Southern Maine

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USM Department of Theatre Brings Home Regional Awards

February 1, 2005

Nearly 60 University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre students, faculty, and staff traveled to Rhode Island College in Providence, R.I., January 25 - 30, 2005 to compete in the Region I (New England) Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). They returned to Maine with multiple awards.

Having a show selected for the festival is a major coup -- only six are chosen from the region. This year USM sent TWO productions: "The Laramie Project" directed by faculty member Wil Kilroy of Westbrook, and a student-written play, "november/december" by Chris Gyngell of Willington, Conn.

In addition to the productions students compete in various competitions. Twelve nominees and their partners, pre-selected during the year, performed in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. Nominees were chosen by regional adjudicators. Four Theatre and Musical Theatre students were selected for the semi-final rounds: Karen Cabot and David Branch of Portland, Anthony Teixiera of Sandwich, Mass., and Rosie Schoneberg of Limington.

David Branch made it to the finals of the competition, and was chosen as first alternate for the national competition to be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. this April 2005. David was ranked number three among over 200 contestants.

Design student Jerome Wills of Portland won the Barbizon Design for Theatrical Excellence in Scenic Design for Region 1 for his scenic design of "The Laramie Project." This award includes travel, lodging and per diem expenses to the KCACTF National festival in April 2005, as well as attendance at Festival workshops and performances in Washington D.C.

Student playwright and director, Chris Gyngell was awarded the KCACTF National Festival Student Director Fellowship. This award includes travel, lodging and per diem expenses to the KCACTF National festival in April 2005, as well as attendance at Festival workshops and performances in Washington D.C. Gyngell is also one of six finalists being considered for the National Student Playwriting Award for his original play, "november/december."

Costume design student Corey Anderson of Portland received the Regional Award for Costume Design Excellence for his costume design of "A Midsummer's Night Dream." This included a monetary award. Student Kate Law of Westbrook received two Regional Awards for Technical Excellence for costume technology. These included monetary awards and a year's free membership to United States Institute of Theatre Technology (USITT).

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