Today@Sam Article
Theatre Department To Perform At Kennedy Regional Conference
Feb. 23, 2015
SHSU Media Contact: Tammy Parrett
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| SHSU's production of "Machinal" has earned a place in the Region VI Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Students are performing this week in San Angelo for an opportunity to continue in the competition, which culminates in Washington, D.C. Above (and below) are scenes from SHSU's fall presentation, in the Erica Starr Theatre. —Submitted photos |
Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre is one of six schools invited to perform its production of Sophie Treadwell’s “Machinal” at the weeklong Region VI Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, this year in San Angelo.
SHSU’s theatre department has participated in the festival since 2001, which offers exciting opportunities for the department to develop the theatre and musical theatre programs. It also provides an opportunity for students to meet other students from across the country and network with well-known theatre professionals.
“Machinal” is inspired by the case of convicted and executed murderer Ruth Snyder and tells the story of a young woman who is pressured by societal norms and expectations to marry a man that she does not love.
The department chose to perform “Machinal” because they wanted to challenge actors, designers and audiences in new and different ways, according to director David McTier, professor of theatre at SHSU.
"I am delighted that we get to share our production of ‘Machinal’ with the other schools in our region and with the folks from the Kennedy Center,” said McTier. “To be one of only six schools invited to perform at the festival is a huge honor. We are featuring some cutting-edge technology, and all of our students have worked so hard to get to this point. I am very proud of everyone and am confident that we will represent Sam Houston State very well."
Of the 50 SHSU students who will attend the festival, 28 were selected by external reviewers to compete individually in areas such as design, technology, directing, stage management, acting and musical theatre.
Performances will be on Thursday (Feb. 26) at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. in the Angelo State University Auditorium.
KCACTF is a national theatre program connecting 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide and was founded in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens. The festival serves as a network for more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theatre departments and student artists showcase their work to receive outside assessment by festival respondents.
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