First Stage Theater Academy Places First In Utah Shakespearean Fest

First Stage Theater Academy sent members of its Young Company to compete in the Utah Shakespearean Festival/Southern Utah University Shakespeare Competition, held Oct. 8-9 in Cedar City, Utah. This marks the Young Company's fourth trip to the competition and their second First Place finish. The team of 15 high school students from the Academy's pre-professional training program for teens won First Place overall for its division, as well as placing First for its Ensemble Scene, First in Monologues, and won the Larry Lott Award for Best Actor in an Ensemble.

The Academy students participated alongside more than 2,500 young people from over 90 schools from Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California and Idaho. The Essex division encompassed all private schools, performing arts schools, non-traditional schools and groups associated with professional theaters. First Stage teens traveled the farthest to attend the competition.

First Stage, competing in the Essex division, won First Place in the overall Team Sweepstakes as well as First Place in the Ensemble competition for their 10-minute scene combining "Sonnet 145" and ROMEO AND JULIET.

Emily Daly of Milwaukee won first place with her performance of "Volumnia" from CORIOLANUS in the monologue competition. With this victory she also received a $1,000 scholarship to Southern Utah University.

"This competition consistently offers our young actors an extraordinary educational experience," said John Maclay, First Stage Theater Academy Director. "The trophies are nice, but the real joy is watching the actors' work take the next step. This is an exceptionally talented group."

"We are thrilled that First Stage students travel every year to join us for this event," said Michael Bahr, Education Director of the Utah Shakespearean Festival. "Their performances are stellar in quality. I'm not surprised that these students consistently are awarded scholarships for their high quality performances."

Students who competed for First Stage Theater Academy, along with their schools, are: Eric Schabla and Emily Daly, both seniors at Rufus King High School; Rachel Schmeling and Haley Olig, both seniors at Brookfield Central High School; Gretchen Mahkorn and Kira Gaudynski, both seniors at Pius IX High School; Garrett Hanson, a junior at Nicolet High School; Emmy Tisdel and Anna Wolfe, both seniors at Shorewood High School; Laura Troshynski, a junior at Divine Savior Holy Angels High School; Allie Babich, a senior at Arrowhead High School; Kelly Venable, a junior at University School of Milwaukee and Kelley Annesley, Kieran Kane, and Kyle Connor, all seniors at Wauwatosa East High School.

First Stage Children's Theater is Milwaukee's premier, professional family theater. Founded in 1987, the mission of the company is to touch hearts and transform lives by creating exceptional theater experiences for young people and families through professional Theater Productions, theater academy training and dynamic

in-school education programs. First Stage is a member of the Theater Wisconsin and Milwaukee Arts Partners, and is a cornerstone member of the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF).

 

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