Foundation sends thespians to prestigious competition

Four Southwestern Oregon Community College Theatre Program students recently returned from Ellensburg, Wash., where they participated in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition in conjunction with the Northwest Theater Conference at Central Washington University.

Southwestern thespians Levi Goodman and Amy Katrina both participated, with the guidance of director Alice Carlson. Theater instructor Rob Clingan coached the students before the event. Each participating student also took along a partner for performances. Each student was allotted six minutes to present two scenes and a monologue for judging. After three rounds, the top finishers advance to nationals in Washington, D.C. The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation generously supported those students by sending them to Ellensburg for the competition, recognizing it as a tremendous opportunity for those students.

“In the big four-year schools it is so competitive that the students take year-long courses in auditioning just to prepare for this competition,” Clingan said. “So our students went up against some very strong competition. This is sort of the highlight of the academic year for big theater schools.”

Katrina and Goodman were selected for the prestigious competition based on their performance in the Southwestern Theatre Department production of Antigone – which was directed by Carlson – during Fall Term. Representatives of the Kennedy Center competition viewed the play and assessed actors’ performances before inviting Katrina and Goodman to the competition.

Press Release Date: February 26, 2007