A scene from the spring production of 鈥淪poon River Revival,鈥� an adaptation of Edgar Lee Masters鈥� Spoon River Anthology. (Photos by Lee Pellegrini)
鈥婩or his innovative spring production 鈥淪poon River Revival鈥濃�攚hich capped a year of unprecedented challenge in the presentation of live theater, albeit for virtual audiences鈥擜ssociate Professor of the Practice and Theatre Department Chair Luke Jorgensen has won the Outstanding Creative Ensemble Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Pandemic restrictions influenced Jorgensen鈥檚 decision to adapt and direct Edgar Lee Masters鈥� Spoon River Anthology. The style of presentation鈥攁 collage of monologues鈥攍ent itself to safe distancing on stage. 鈥淪poon River Revival鈥� was presented in one act with live bluegrass music.
Luke Jorgensen
鈥淲hen COVID canceled our ability to do a full musical we needed to either give up or get creative; we got creative,鈥� said Jorgensen, who also won the KCACTF honor in 2008 for his BC production of 鈥淢etamorphoses.鈥� 鈥淭his award means a great deal to me, as it recognizes this tremendous group of md传媒国产剧 College students who were careful, thoughtful, and relentless in their approach to making a show during a pandemic.
鈥淲e took so many precautions鈥攎asks, rubber gloves, temperature checks, disinfectants鈥攖hat it seemed at times that we were producing a medical drama! I am truly fortunate to have been able to lead this experience with these wonderful students,鈥� he added.
Four cast members also were honored by KCACTF for excellence in acting: Olivia Sheridan 鈥�22, Nick Rossi 鈥�24, Grant Whitney 鈥�23, and Ezekial Coleman 鈥�24 were chosen to participate in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition. The award provides recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers for the further pursuit of education.
The Outstanding Creative Ensemble Award came as no surprise to Jacob Kelleher 鈥�21, who served as stage manager. 鈥淧erhaps more so than any cast I have worked with over the last four years, the cast of 鈥楽poon River鈥� truly worked in unison. With Luke鈥檚 guidance, they managed to take these separate pieces and weave them into a cogent story. For me, the most striking part of 鈥楽poon River鈥� is the way it parallels real life. This group of 14 characters couldn鈥檛 be more different, yet they are united by their connection to Spoon River and the love, hate, laughs, and other experiences they shared.
鈥淚n many ways, that is how we theater students see ourselves. We, too, are people with vastly different histories who have vastly different experiences, but we remain connected and united through our connection to BC theater.鈥�
KCACTF is a national theater program which involves 18,000 students annually from United State colleges and universities. Jorgensen will receive the award at next year鈥檚 festival.
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Rosanne Pellegrini | University Communications | 2021