Six students nominated for Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition

This year, KCACTF will be in Bloomington, Minn. Students will stay for one week in January and compete, participate in workshops, devised theatre, and audition for summer internships. Two years ago, our very own Anthony Stratton '13 won an Irene Ryan Scholarship and advanced to compete nationally in Washington, D.C.

The actors must choose an acting partner from their peers, then prepare to perform two contrasting scenes and either a monologue or a song. Their performance must not exceed six minutes.

Students nominated for an Irene Ryan Scholarship this year are:

Chris Galvan, Senior: nominated for his role as "Narrator" in The Laramie Project, will be performing with acting partner, St. Ambrose alum Molly Conrad '14.

Shannon Rourke, Junior: (below, on right) nominated for her role as "Kelli Simpkin's characters" in The Laramie Project, will be performing with acting partner, sophomore Sam Jones.

Becca Brazel, Junior: nominated for her role as "Miss Prism" in The Importance of Being Earnest, will be performing with acting partner, junior Conor Strandquist

Brooke Schelly, Senior: (at left) nominated for her role as "Cecily" in The Importance of Being Earnest, performing with acting partner, sophomore Sam Jones

Jordan McGinnis, Junior: nominated for various roles in Working, will be performing with acting partner, junior Amelia Fischer

Jonathan Johnson, Junior: nominated for various roles in Working, performing with acting partner, sophomore Kelci Eaton

Background on the Irene Ryan's

Every year, St. Ambrose University Theatre Department submits shows for review to a Kennedy Center American College Theatre (KCACTF) adjudicator. From submissions received across the region, two actors are nominated for an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Irene Ryan was an American actress, best known for her role as Granny Clampett in the famous 60s sit-com, The Beverly Hillbillies.

The nominated actors then compete at the KCACTF Festival. The Kennedy Center recognizes student actors and their talents through awards and scholarships in areas such as playwriting, acting, directing, and design. There are eight regional and two national scholarships. The regional scholarship winners receive $500 and the national winners receive $3,000.