March 20, 2002 -- University of Wyoming theatre student Todd McCullough is elated
about a depressing subject.
His play, "Rainy Day People," was one of two in the nation selected for the Mark Twain
Comedy Playwriting Award, the most prestigious playwriting award presented by the
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Rebecca Hilliker, UW Department of Theatre
and Dance head, says both winners will receive a $2000 award, a fellowship to the
prestigious Sundance Theatre Laboratory, and an offer to publish with Dramatic Publishing
Company.
The play is a comedy about depression, a concept McCullough says he wanted to write
about since he was a freshman. In the play, the writer of a depressing newspaper column
falls in love, and has a hard time writing about depressing subjects.
McCullough, a senior from Green River, began working on the script with help from
William Missouri Downs, UW's playwright-in-residence and associate professor of theatre
and dance.
"I'd write a draft, Bill would make suggestions, I'd get ideas from other students
and faculty, and we were ready to start rehearsing," says McCullough. "The theatre
department really encourages creativity. I learned a lot not only about writing, but
also about acting and directing."
The Twain award is the latest in a series of honors for McCullough. His play "Local
Celebrities" was first place at last year's regional American College Theatre competition
in Anchorage, Alaska, and "Rainy Day People" was this year's winner. McCullough's
10-minute comedy "Forever Blue" was chosen for Kennedy Center competition in April.
Downs was among eight faculty directors from across the United States selected to
direct at this year's Kennedy Center program.
Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2002
