MONMOUTH, Ill.—Two Monmouth College students, who played lead roles in the recent Crimson Masque production of Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” will represent the college in the 2007 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region III competition, Jan. 9-14 in Milwaukee.

Renee Emery, a freshman from Girard, and Kayt S. Griffith, a freshman from Woodstock, were selected for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition as a result of the strength of their portrayals of Blanche DuBois and Stella Kowalski in the recent production.

The selections were made by Professor Doug Rankin, director of “Streetcar,” and by Professor Dan Haughey of Black Hawk College, who adjudicated the production on behalf of KCACTF. Commenting on Emery's perfomance, Haughey said “Blanche's role required marathon acting ability, and the actress delivered a marathon performance, with character consistency.” Of Griffith's acting he noted, “Stella was portrayed with good confidence, concentration and relaxation—as would be appropriate for effective acting and viable characterization."

Haughey was also impressed with the level of maturity exhibited by both young actors. “Although they are underclassmen, those two actresses will continue to grow, eventually reach their potential, and are designed to deliver strong Irene Ryan presentations some day,” he said.

In the initial round of regional competition, the pair will perform a new three-minute scene. Winners of the preliminary round will advance to the regional semifinals. The top regional semifinalists will compete for the opportunity to participate in the national festival, held in the spring at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. Students will also compete for $500 Irene Ryan Scholarships, which are awarded to outstanding performers at each regional festival. The scholarships were established by the late Irene Ryan, who is best remembered for her portrayal of Granny in “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

An educational studies and French major, Emery is the daughter of Martin and Melinda Emery of Girard. Active in theater at Girard High School, the honor student was the recipient of a Monmouth College Fine Arts Talent Award scholarship. Her career objective is to become a high school superintendent.

Griffith was a member of the Thespian Troupe at Woodstock High School, where she was also on the high honor roll. An English and communication/theater arts major, she plans to be a teacher and theater director. She is the daughter of Jeffrey and Sandra Griffith of Woodstock.

Approximately 20 representatives of Monmouth College will travel to the regional festival, where they will attend the Ryan competitions, participate in workshops and view several of the best mainstage productions from Region III, which encompasses Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. Some students will also participate in the Critic's Competition, in which they will write newspaper-style reviews of the shows they see.

Released by the Office of College Communications
Barry McNamara, Associate Director of College Communications
Phone: 309-457-2117
Fax: 309-457-2330