E-State theater students do well at festival
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Friday, February 8, 2008
Thirty Emporia State University theater students and faculty attended the 40th gathering of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region V. Co-hosted by Creighton University, the University of Nebraska-Omaha and Iowa Western Community College, the festival took place Jan. 20-26 in Omaha.
At the festival, a commendation for meritorious achievement was awarded to Amanda Dura, costume shop manager, for her costume designs for ESU’s winter 2007 production of George Brenard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.”
Seniors Michael Wilke and Tricia Stogsdill came away with awards in the 2008 Design/Tech Exposition at the festival. Wilke participated in the Thayer Lighting Showcase, one of only five student lighting designers in the region selected for the competition. In the Barbizon Lighting Design competition, Wilke was selected the regional runner-up. Stogsdill was awarded a runner-up award in the regional design competition in theater crafts. She submitted a makeup design for Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”.
Five students participated in the design/tech expo. They included Pat Janssen in sound design, Cassie Kay Hoppas in costume design and Chris Lohkamp in scenic design in addition to Stogsdill and Wilke.
Eight ESU theater students participated in the Irene Ryan Scholarship audition. Participants in the preliminary round were Pat Janssen, Dylan Lewis, Eric Luchen, Jamie McCabe, Lindsay Roland, Julie Soroko, Tricia Stogsdill and Emily Young. They presented auditions with a scene partner. Their partners were Kelsey Fredricks, Emily Warren, Camille Schmeirer, Paul Howard, Ian Knodel and Kevin Nardi.
“Although none advanced to the semifinal round, all agreed that the audition was competitive and their experience was worthwhile,” said Jim Bartruff, director of theater at ESU. “Several will be eligible again and they’ll be able to build upon their experience,” he added.
Two students were selected from the region to compete for the scholarship at the Kennedy Center in April.