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BSC theater program does well in regional competition

Published: Feb 08 2016
BSC theater program does well in regional competition - Photo
Bismarck State College Theatre Arts performed a showcased scene and garnered a Merit Award at the Region V competition of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (ACTF).
 
Fourteen BSC Drama Club members attended the festival Jan. 17-23 at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minn., with program director Danny Devlin and technical theater director Dean Bellin.
 
Students performed a scene chosen by ACTF judges after they saw BSC’s fall production of “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead.” BSC was among only 10 four-year universities and a two-year college chosen for this recognition from a seven-state area.
 
Performing in the Invited Scenes Showcase were Robert Day and Shaina Hovrud of Mandan. Carly Willoughby of Bismarck received a Certificate of Merit for stage management in the “Dog Sees God” production.
 
Judges also selected Day and Hovrud for the Irene Ryan National Audition contest, a theater scholarship program for actors. Their performances were assisted by scene partners Aeryn Mehlhoff (Bismarck) and Alexis Larson (Carrington).
 
Other Irene Ryan nominations went to Taylor Jung (Bismarck) and Alicia Billock (Mott) for their roles in “Eurydice,” BSC’s winter play. Scene partners were Larson and Adam Michal (Mandan).
 
BSC’s four-member Ramrod team missed the top award but competed strongly in the Stage Crew Showdown competition, Devlin said. Technical theater team members were Carly Willoughby and Jonah Eslinger (Bismarck), Elley Cannard (Mandan), and PJ Rackov (Dickinson). Other students attending the festival were Rick Hentz (Bismarck), Joshua Tatum (New Salem) and Tanner Hostetter (Huff).
 
“It was an excellent and complete learning experience for BSC Drama Club members,” Devlin said, “and one we look forward to eagerly next year.”
 
Students participated in panels and workshops led by academic and professional leaders in the theater field. The group also had behind-the-scenes tours of Minnesota’s finest theater buildings and attended a preview production of the Guthrie Theater’s “Pericles.”
 
The national American College Theater Festival is comprised of eight regional festivals that offer theater craft training and present the best plays and talent in each region. The program, run by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., also recognizes excellence with awards and scholarships. Colleges in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa comprise Region V.
 

About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.