Student's Play Finalist for Production and Playwriting Awards

Dec. 16, 2005 -- The University of Wyoming’s premiere production of an original full-length play is one of only four shows selected to be a Region VII finalist for this year's Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).

“Frequency 98.6,” written by UW student Dana Formby of Cheyenne and staged and directed by Professor Leigh Selting, was selected from among nearly 80 other productions to be invited to the regional festival.

“It’s a wonderful testament to the hard work of the students and the UW theatre and dance program on the whole,” says Selting. “This production is a wonderful mix of faculty design and mentoring, coupled with student designs in lighting and sound. To have our work recognized at the regional level is quite special.”

Selting’s production of this Vietnam-era, coming-of-age story features a strong cast and a lively radio chorus that provides commentary on the action.

“Dana’s script provided some very unique challenges for the actors and me,” said Selting. “They’ve done a nice job of patiently working through changes, rewrites and so on. It’s a sign of the maturity and talent of our acting program here at UW, as well as the quality of our young playwrights,” he added.

“Frequency 98.6" will be performed Feb. 25, at the Region VII KCACTF hosted by Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash. The play will compete with the three other invited productions for the opportunity to go on to the KCACTF National Festival in April in Washington, D.C.

Other KCACTF Region VII invited productions are “Urinetown: The Musical,” Bellevue Community College; “Boy Gets Girl,” University of Idaho; and “Waiting for Godot,” Colorado State University.

Formby’s play also is a finalist for the prestigious David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award, which promotes the writing and production of new plays. Her accomplishment is especially remarkable considering that the competition is open not only to students, but also to professional playwrights and professors, Selting says. Winners receive a $1,000 gift and may have their works published.

A special benefit performance of “Frequency 98.6,” which was sold out during its regular run, will be given Sunday, Feb. 12, at 1:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center studio theatre. A donation of $10 is suggested. All proceeds from the show will be used to defray the costs of taking the production to the regional festival.

Photo:
Regional Finalist -- The University of Wyoming's premiere production of an original full-length play, "Frequency 98.6," written by student Dana Formby of Cheyenne and staged and directed by Professor Leigh Selting, is one of only four shows selected to be a Region VII Finalist for this year's Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The play was selected from among nearly 80 other productions to be invited to the regional festival. Acting a scene from the play are senior Stephanie Lovell, of Enfield, Conn., left, freshman Jake Staley of Cheyenne, and, below, senior Thomas Stroppel of Wright. (UW Photo)

Posted on Friday, December 16, 2005