News

Student wins Irene Ryan regional, advances to national finals at the Kennedy Center

Salem State theater student Michael Zuccola captured top honors in the New England regionals of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) at Fitchburg State College and will compete for the coveted Irene Ryan Scholarship and national repute at the nation's capitol in April.

Zuccoll, of Haverhill, will compete in the KCACTF finals at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. for the distinction of being the country's top college actor. Zuccola's appearance on the Kennedy Center stage will mark the fifth time in the past nine years that a Salem State student has competed in the national finals. The most recent winner of the Irene Ryan Scholarship from Salem State is Stephen Laferriere who won in 2005. Salem State's Alan Mayo made it to the finals in 2006 but did not win.

At the KCACTF regional, Zuccola, who earned rave reviews as Caliban in Salem State's fall production of The Tempest, won the "Best Comedic" scene working with his Salem State acting partner Joe Coppellotti. From Shrewsbury, Coppellotti captured the "Best Partner" award and will accompany Zuccola to D.C. in April.

"I am grateful for the coaching done by Professor David Allan George and Professor Celena April," said Bill Cunningham, chairperson of the college's Theatre and Speech Communications Department. "I am also grateful to all of the support that the administration provides our department. I am happy to say that once again the students and the faculty of Salem State Theatre have distinguished themselves in the New England region. Next stop the nation!"

Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation of Encino, California, has awarded scholarships to the outstanding student performers at each regional festival. These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the late Irene Ryan who is best remembered for her portrayal of the lovable and feisty Granny in The Beverly Hillbillies.

More information on the American College Theatre Festival and the Irene Ryan Scholarship is available at http://www.kcactf.org/. More information on Salem State's theater program.