Staff Report
Some performers, production team members, and NWACC theatre students received meritorious awards and Irene Ryan nominations for their work on a recent production related to Edgar Allan Poe. The recognition came from Region VI of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
Arkansas Classical Theatre and NWACC Theatre presented “The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story,” by David Rice, in White Auditorium in Burns Hall on the Bentonville campus, Nov. 21-23. In Rice’s work, it’s been two years since Poe’s wife died, and Poe is not only haunted by her memory, but also seems to be conjuring scenes from his frightening stories.
Aurora Patterson, who portrayed a Prisoner and Helena, was nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Program. Avery Redmond, who played Luciana, also was nominated for the program. Guest artist Olivia Mack was recognized with a meritorious achievement award for excellence in lighting, and Keefer Roach received a meritorious achievement award for excellence in sound. Guest artist Peter Kieklak was recognized for excellence in acting, and guest artist Emma Lovell also was recognized for excellence in acting.
“We were so excited to host our respondent from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VI, Prof. Patrick Pearson from Sam Houston State University, for our closing performance,” said Professor Stephanie Freeman, NWACC Theatre Program Coordinator. “He gave many wonderful insights into both the performance and design/tech sides of the production, and along with director Professor Betsy Jilka, they each chose an Irene Ryan Scholarship Award nominee: Aurora Patterson (Prisoner/Helena) and Avery Redmond (Monk/Luciana). These two actors are encouraged to bring a monologue and a scene to the Irene Ryan competition to represent NWACC at the February conference in Abilene, Texas. We couldn’t be prouder of their amazing choices on stage and their professionalism throughout this process!”
Prior to the production taking to the NWACC stage, Director Jilka said, “’The Madness of Edgar Allan Poe: A Love Story’ by David Rice has been an absolute pleasure to work on. David Rice has been generous in helping with the dramaturgy of the play, even Zooming in with our actors on the first day of rehearsal. We started this piece in September with a professional production in Fayetteville, and now we are producing this play with a set of delightful college students at NWACC Theatre. This play is genius in the way it interweaves Poe’s last day on Earth, in a sense, as he is going through the stories, poems and characters he has created in his mind. His memories are boundless as we see his characters come to life. It is a love story to Poe and his writing, as well as a story about the love between him and his beloved wife, Virginia.”
The Spring Region VI Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival will be Feb. 20-24 in Abilene, Texas.
