Theatre Students Honored at Kennedy Center Festival

Written by Kate Harner

Willimantic, CT - Eastern Connecticut State University theatre students and their productions were recognized at the annual Region I Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, held at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH, from Jan. 26 - 31. Director of Theatre Ellen Brodie; J.J. Cobb, assistant professor of theatre and acting; Robert Sweetnam, assistant professor of theatre and design; and Chase Rozelle, associate professor of theatre and technical director, accompanied 25 Eastern students to the festival.

            "It was a wonderful learning experience for all," said Brodie. "It is also affirmation that Eastern is on the right track."

            Stephanie Armagno '13 and Sarah Paprocki '13 were cast and performed in "One X Ten's," which are premieres of new plays. Paprocki was the lead actress in that production. Kyle Charles '10, Jason Wadecki '11 and Ryan Gearity '12 were chosen and worked as festival technical theatre interns. Jonathon Knust '10 won the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) first prize for "Technical Craftsmanship" for the deer he created for Eastern's Fall 2009 production, "As You Like It." Guest Director Nora Cole and the cast of Eastern's Spring 2009 production, "The Black Girl in Search of God," won Merit Awards for both "Best Ensemble" and "Best Storytelling."