Rory Fitzgerald of Barre, Vt., and Jayden Choquette of Milton, Vt., reached semi-finalist status as candidates for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. They partnered for the competition with Brendan O’Leary and Nathaniel Beliveau, along with 274 pairs of competing actors. Rory and Jayden and their acting partners were amongst the only 36 pairs that made it to the semifinalist round. They were coached for the acting competition by SMC associate professor of theater Cathy Hurst. Other SMC competitors for Irene Ryans were Kate Clark, Amanda Mulligan, and Jonny Drummey, and their acting scene partners, Julia Watson and Katie Healy—all coached by Professor Hurst.
Professor Hurst served as Directing Chair of the regional stage directors and choreographers, student directing competition, and Co-Vice Chair of the New England region.
Emily Benway of Burlington, Vt., received an honorable mention for her scenic design and technical work onProfessor Wellright’s Library, the SMC Fine Arts show that was produced in the spring of 2009.
John Paul Devlin, past Co-Chair of Design, Technology and Management, was awarded a Kennedy Center gold medallion in recognition of his outstanding service to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. In presenting the award, the organization said Professor Devlin had “significantly expanded the scope and breadth of the design, technology and management area at the Region One Festival.”
“All the SMC students I spoke with during and since the festival had a great time,” said Professor Devlin. “They not only supported each other through the Irene Ryan auditions and the Design responses, but frequently coordinated workshop and production attendance—they were busy from morning through the late night events.”
Region I of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival has traditionally included institutions from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, but this year was expanded to include Eastern New York.
“It was exciting to see so many new faces among both the student participants and the faculty,” Professor Devlin said. “It seemed to bring a great infusion of new ideas and energies.” Devlin also commented on “a fabulous costume parade at the closing awards ceremony featuring costumes displayed a la fashion show runway, complete with descriptions from a faculty member from New York, serving as emcee.
Saint Michael’s strong tradition of theater education, and professional theater at the Saint Michael’s Playhouse, includes continuous participation in the ACTF theater festival and two top awards in the past that took SMC theater productions to the Kennedy Center in Washington.