College Relations
SSC Student Wins National Acting Award
April 27, 2005
Contact: Kathleen McDonald at 978-542-6515
 Salem, MA. - Salem State student Stephen Laferriere won top honors from the national finals of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival this weekend. He is the first place national winner for the Irene Ryan Award, a prestigious honor accompanied by numerous professional acting opportunities. Additionally, Stephen took home the Eugene O'Neill Foundation Award which places him at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre this summer where he will work with playwrights in new plays.
The road to the national championship began with a nomination for his role in the SSC production of the Irish drama Translations, allowing Laferriere to audition for the regional Irene Ryan award. He took first place over two hundred other student actors. As Region One winner, Laferriere then attended the national finals at the Kennedy Center, where his presentation of short comedic and dramatic scenes and monologues was awarded the top national honor. His scenes were performed with SSC senior Amy Forney, his chosen acting partner, to whom he gave ample credit for his success in his acceptance speech at the Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C., last Friday night.
Faculty member David Allen George says, "This is the real 'pay-off' of a college and theatre program's success, even despite major funding challenges. We continue to thrive and see our theatre majors go on to become successful working members of the theatre community. We are so proud of Stephen, and have been privileged to have him at our college these past four years."
He can be seen performing next in an original comedy, Shake it Up, at the Callan Studio Theatre at Salem State College, June 2-5, 2005.
|
