We live to perform another day!

Above are the Irene Ryan Semifinalists celebrating after the announcement

There are 400 hundred actors who arrived at the festival to audition for the prestigious Irene Ryan Scholarship. Of the 200 groups (2 actors who are partnered) only 32 move on to the semifinal round on Thursday. I am very proud to announce that 2 of our 3 groups advanced (and in my opinion the third was absolutely deserving as well) to the semi-finals. Many schools are lucky to have one group advance and we have two! Sloan, Aaron, Melissa and JP will compete tomorrow.

Here is Sloan and Aaron after their first round audition.

I also spent the day in the first round. I was serving as respondent. I sat in with the two judges (there were two audition rooms with two judges each) and watched a "flight" which consists of four group auditions. Then I would relay my notes and the judges notes to the actors (one on one outside). This gave me a wonderful chance to see performers from all over the region. There were many strong performers and ALL of our actor's work stood up. I was just as proud of Paige and Gage's work. Their preparation and hard work was unmatched.

Before the evening's performance of Ladybug

I also met with the chair of Region 4 today and we discussed the strong possibility of hosting next year's festival in Daytona. This would be very exciting. I also think the region is excited about escaping the snow and hitting the beach!

Melissa, Sloan, and Lindsey

Gage...

JP and Paige

Sloan and Aaron rehearsing the semifinal round performance in their room

So, tomorrow I will work with Melissa, JP, Aaron and Sloan on their semifinal auditions. Round one was one two person scene. Now they will perform that scene and add a second contrasting two person scene. We have a rehearsal in the space in the morning and then they will all perform in the afternoon.

Break a leg you all!

Geoffrey Kershner

Director of Theatre