Seven West Virginia University theater students about to graduate with bachelor of fine arts degrees in acting will present a Bachelor of Fine Arts Showcase in New York City, May 6-7.

The Showcase will be held at the June Havoc Theater at 312 W. 36th Street, in the city’s Garment District, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. and May 7 at 2 p.m.

Talent agents, casting directors and theater companies from New York City, as well as WVU alumni, friends and guests are invited to attend the performances.

This year’s showcase will feature students Taylor Horst, a native of of Poca, West Virginia; Adam Messenger and Hannah Redmond, both of Morgantown, West Virginia; Aubrey Rice of Glendale, Arizona; Megan Schreiber of Marietta, Pennsylvania; Joshua David Smith of Salisbury, Maryland; and Cody Wilson of Fairmont, West Virginia.

The students will present scenes and songs to display their development and skills. The showcase will close their four-year intensive actor training at the WVU School of Theatre and Dance with nationally recognized faculty and special guest artists and teachers. Their study included work in the methods of Stanislavski and Meisner, Viewpoints and Suzuki, Linklater and Rodenburg, Shakespeare, comedic styles and musical theater.

Lee Blair, professor of acting in the WVU School of Theatre & Dance, is the director of the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and adviser for the showcase. He said he is looking forward to another great display of student talent in the Big Apple.

“It’s a great opportunity for our students to get a first taste of the ‘real’ professional theatre,” he said. “They get the chance to produce their own work in the city, as well as to show it to agents, casting directors and alumni in the entertainment industry.”

Each student will be participating in the College of Creative Arts Commencement ceremony on May 10, so they are finishing up finals, heading to New York City for the Showcase, then returning to Morgantown for graduation.

“It’s a big of a whirlwind during the two weeks before graduation, but it is worth it for this great opportunity,” Blair said.

The June Havoc Theatre is located 312 W. 36th Street, NY, NY 10018 (36th St. and 8th Ave.) It is a few blocks from New York’s Theatre District and in the heart of the city’s Garment District.

Admission is free, but those attending should make reservations in advance. RSVP to Lee Blair via email at Lee.Blair@mail.wvu.edu or by calling 304-293-6100 or 304-661-5889.

-WVU-

ec/5/5/14

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.