Almost, Maine being considered for national competition
UW-Green Bay’s performance of Almost, Maine is being considered for invitation to the American College Theatre Festival’s National Festival at the Kennedy Center in April. Productions invited to the national competition will be announced in March. Both of the theatre company’s two performances at the regional level on Saturday, Jan. 8 received standing ovations. While there are eight ACTF regions, only four to six shows will be invited to the national competition. “The fact that the national selection team has asked us to hold our show and is considering us for the National Festival in Washington, DC is the cherry on the sundae,” said Prof. John Mariano who directed the show. “I’m proud of our students and our program.” Read more.
Another ‘Golden Handtruck Award’
UW-Green Bay also won the coveted Golden Handtruck Award, which recognizes the best technical work and most professionalism in getting production materials ready for the performance and then taken down afterward. The last five times UW-Green Bay has taken a show to the regional competition it has received the Golden Handtruck Award. “That is something we all do together entirely,” said Prof. Jeff Entwistle, scenic designer for Almost, Maine who also received a Regional Service Award. “Every single student and faculty and staff member focused on excellence throughout this entire process.”
Student named one of top costume designers in country
UW-Green Bay senior Dustin James Wagner, a graduate of Pulaski High School majoring in history and theatre, received Honorable Mention in the National Costume Design competition. “I got great feedback, great suggestions, and even was told I’d be great for film and media design,” he said. “It was such a great experience to go through, because it reassures us that we are capable of achieving our dreams.”
The production of Almost, Maine also received a Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design and Lighting Design.
Flashback: ‘Almost, Maine’ video
Almost, Maine earned enthusiastic reviews and audience response over its seven-show run earlier this fall. The romantic comedy featuring a 13-member student cast in nine vignettes was performed on campus in October. Here’s a link to the video Robert Hornacek put together in advance of the show – click here.
