The Matchmaker Cast Brings Home 5 of 10 Distinguished Theatre Awards

From Connie Lester, Redfern: Keene State students, faculty, staff, and community members from the fall production of Thornton Wilder’s The Matchmaker participated in the Region I Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held at Fitchburg State College in Fitchburg, Mass., in January. After attending all productions in each of the eight regional festivals, the national selection team awarded ten commendations for distinguished achievement to selected New England Festival Productions. Five of those commendations were awarded to The Matchmaker. They included Jenny Fulton, faculty member of the Theatre and Dance Department, for scene design; Kade Hill, for his performance as Cornelius Hackl; Ethan Selby, for his performance as Barnaby Tucker; Jamie Pearsons, for her performance as Mrs. Irene Molloy; and Allie Lee Relihan, for her performance as Minnie Fay.

The festival brings students and faculty together to see some of the area’s strongest productions, participate in workshops, and compete in a variety of areas in theatrical performance, design, and production. Keene State College was honored to be one of five New England productions from the 116 adjudicated for inclusion in the festival.