A Ball State University Theatre and Dance Department student will go to Washington, D.C., to participate in a national theater festival.
Sophomore theater production major Laura Pittenger won in the critique category at the Regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. She will compete at a national level from April 14 to 18.
According to its Web site, the KCACT Festival is a national theater program that serves as a catalyst in improving quality in the U.S. It recognizes diverse work produced in university and college theater programs and provides opportunities for students to achieve professionalism.
Michael Daehn, assistant professor of theatre education, said Ball State has taken part in the KCACT Festival for about six years.
'A lot of schools are good at one specific area, [Ball State is] known to be good at any area,' he said. 'I think this is a great place to receive any training.'
Pittenger worked with assistant professor of theatre Jennifer Blackmer before the competition. Daehn became her mentor afterward.
'I like doing reviews because I get to write in a journalistic style, telling in productions what either made certain aspects of it work and things that didn't work,' Pittenger said. 'I hadn't done an actual review until the competition.'
Pittenger went to Saginaw, Mich., for the regional festival, where she wrote reviews for three different productions.
'My experience at the regionals was really stressing. I didn't have much to do the first days,' she said. 'The performances I had to write a review for did not happen until a couple days after.'
The national festival will include a similar competition, and whoever ends in first place will have a full scholarship for a summer workshop at the Eugine O'Neill Institute for playwrites and critics.
Daehn said he thought Pittenger shows interest and is excelling in writing reviews.
'For a student her age, she is willing to actually be a critic,' he said. 'Most young critics, when I see their work, either they end up liking everything or hating everything about the production. She can see the aspects and write down what she agrees with, what she does not agree with.'
Pittenger said she felt confident in herself as she prepares for the national competition.
'I felt really good after I won [at the regional festival],' she said. 'It was definitely a great indicator for me that I'm in the right track. I feel like I'm going somewhere.'
The Theater and Dance Department is still waiting to find out whether senior theatre major Ryan Prendergast will compete at the national festival. Prendergast wrote the play 'Death at Jefferson' and was recognized at the regional fair.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
