MSU performs The Beaux' Stratagem at Kennedy Center ACTF Region III competition

By Bridgette RedmanFor The Lansing State JournalWhile most students prepare to return to school from vacation or the bowl games, the MSU theater students are preparing to hit the road.Their production of "The Beaux Stratagem" was considered one of the best college performances in region three of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. This region includes all educational institutions of all sizes in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. They've been invited to perform it again in a competition against the other productions that were considered the best of the season at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The regional competition is being held Jan. 3-7.MSU's "The Beaux Stratagem," written by George Farquhar, directed by Edward Daranyi and adapted by Thornton Wilder and Ken Ludwig, was produced this season from Nov. 11 to Nov. 20.This is the 44th year of the Kennedy Center Festival and the program provides a travel grant to each of the competing schools. They will present their play before national judges and the top production will win an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to compete in the national festival at the Kennedy Center.Other productions in the regional competition include the University of Southern Indiana's production of "Rent," The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater's production of "The Edwin Booth Company Presents ...," Southern Illinois University at Carbondale's production of "Risata, Sciocco ... Risata!," Hope College's "Gone Missing," the University of Evansville's "Master Harold ... and the Boys," Ball State University's "The Circus in Winter" (an original work) and Carthage College's "Rail Splitter."In addition to performing the play, students participating in the production will also have the opportunity to attend master classes and network with theater professionals.The national competition provides scholarship opportunities for individual performances. Other recognitions include outstanding scenic, costume, lighting and sound design, outstanding choreography, outstanding devised work, outstanding direction and outstanding performances in leading and supporting roles.Kennedy Center Festival judges attend performances at more than 800 educational institutions around the country to select the finalists to compete in each region.