Nancy McNulty, a theatre major at Salem State College was selected the top college actress in the country

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Another feather in the cap of the theater arts program.
After Salem State College theater students dominated a regional acting competition at the University of New Hampshire, one of those students has emerged as the top college actress in the country.
And that student is Nancy McNulty, a senior from Milton, who took first-place honors at the Irene Ryan National Acting Competition at the Kennedy Center on April 28.
McNulty, with her scene partner Ian Conway of Peabody, beat out actors from Boston University, Western Michigan University, the University of Oregon, Illinois State University and the University if Central Florida.
Patricia Zaido, director of the college's Center for Creative and Performing Arts, described the feat as "incredible." "We're a little place," she added.
But that little place is getting a big reputation. McNulty's award marks the second time a Salem State College student has brought home top honors from the national competition. In 1993, Thomas Silcott became the only SSC student to win the national award.
McNulty was one of six Salem State College students who advanced to the Final 16 at the Irene Ryan regionals at UNH. Classmates Joseph Jay Carey of Nahant, Eric Gordinas of Salem, Julee Rose Antonellis of Natick, Tracee Chimo of Saugus and Brianne Beatrice of Swampscott joined her to give Salem State a significant stage presence. "What an accomplishment," praised Salem State College Theatre Coordinator David Allen George. "The competition started out with a field of 170 actors and actresses from top universities and colleges in New England. When that number was reduced to 16, over one third of them were Salem State College students."

McNulty's selection marks the fifth time in the past eight years that a theater student from Salem State College has advanced to the national finals. Both Antonellis and Chimos are former national finalists.