First Stage Young Company places first in multi-state Shakespearean acting competition
The
Academy students participated alongside more than 3000 young people from over
100 schools from multiple Western states. Their division encompassed
all private schools, performing arts schools, non-traditional schools and
groups associated with professional theaters. The First Stage students spent
the week in Utah taking acting workshops led by professional Shakespearean
actors, performing for adjudicators and attending professional performances of
Shakespeare’s work.
Young Company students pose with Director John Maclay |
Performing at the competition showcase |
In
addition to winning the Essex division overall sweepstakes award for highest
total team score, the team also won first place for its ensemble scene, a
compilation of ‘Dream’ moments from a half dozen Shakespeare plays. The ensemble
was selected to be performed at the competition’s culminating showcase.
Individual students Alison Pogorelc (Whitefish
Bay High School) won the Larry Lott award for
outstanding performance in an ensemble and first place in monologues, and Taylor Kass (Brookfield Academy) and Henry Lynch
(Wauwatosa East High School) won first place
duo/trio with their performance of a scene from RICHARD III.
“This is a
special group of young artists,” said First Stage Associate Artistic Director
and Director of the Young Company John Maclay.
“We don't do this work for trophies. But I won't deny that it feels real nice
when a legion of professional artists is as enamored with their work as I am. I
am incredibly proud to be counted among their teachers.”
Students who competed for First Stage Theater
Academy, listed with the school they attend are: Isabelle Abbott (Menomonee Falls High School); Natalie Alteri, Mackenzie
Swart and Amber Soik (Brookfield
Central High School); Rose Bliesner
(Kettle Moraine Lutheran School); Madisyn
Fairchild (Mukwonago High School); Mary
Elsa Henrichs, Zoey Knox, Alison Pogorelc, and Josie Trettin (Whitefish Bay High
School); Taylor Kass (Brookfield
Academy); Henry Lynch (Wauwatosa
East High School); Madison Penzkover
(Homeschool); and Kyra Swanson
(University School of Milwaukee).
The Young Company’s annual trip to Utah is funded through the Bard-o-Thon. Students
participate in a day-long event performing over 500 consecutive Shakespearean
monologues (including all 154 sonnets).
The Young
Company celebrates its twelfth season, performing two plays at the
Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. The group will take on one of Shakespeare’s
greatest romances ALL’S WELL THAT ENDS WELL December 11 – 20, 2015 with an all-female cast. It is a wild journey
filled with comedy, love, bold plans, dirty tricks and brilliantly drawn
characters. In spring the Young Company presents Jean Anouilh’s brilliant
twentieth century adaptation of the classic Greek play, ANTIGONE April 8-17, 2016.
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