Troy University News

March 15, 2003

Contact:
Tom Davis or Ashley Fowler : (334) 670-3196; tomdavis@troy.edu

Office of University Relations
253 Adams Administration
Troy, AL 36082
(334) 670-3196
(334) 670-3274 (fax)

TSU Student Recognized by Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

   Troy State University graduate Tommy Newman will receive the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Selection Team Fellowship Award at a ceremony in Washington D.C. on April 16 for the score he composed for TSU's production of “Antigone.”
    Newman, a native of Hawkinsville , Ga. and a December graduate of TSU, will have the opportunity to meet and work with various composers and musical theatre writers at the Kennedy Center ACTF.
    “Antigone,” which was under the direction of TSU professor Adena Moree , was invited as one of six productions to showcase at the ACTF Region IV Festival at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in February. Troy State University is the only school in the region to have two performances showcased in consecutive years.
    “The Kennedy Center has offered to fly me to Washington , D.C. to accept the award and pay for my hotel room,” Newman said. “It is a great honor to be recognized at the national level.”
    Newman won the Lois Garren Award for musical composition at the ACTF regional competition held on Oct. 18.
    In addition to his Kennedy Center honor, Newman has received notice that he is a final candidate for the NYU Tisch School of the Arts Music Theatre Writing Program. He will travel to NYU for a weekend interview and workshop on March 19.
    “From an artistic and educational standpoint, the composition was very different than any score I've heard in a Greek tragedy,” said Adena Moree , Associate Professor of Speech and Theatre and Director of Theatre. “Tommy's love of musical theatre and his tremendous talent combined to produce a great accomplishment. When all the factors come together in this way and blossom, it is a rare occurrence.”
    “Being recognized by the Kennedy Center is a significant honor,” said Dr. Hal Fulmer, Dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts. “Tommy's score was an integral part of the success of our performance of ‘Antigone' and he richly deserves this award. He well represents the excellence of our College of Communication and Fine Arts.”
    Troy State University enjoys a long history of excellence on the stage. This is the fifth time its theatre program has been honored by the Kennedy Center 's national ACTF.
    In 1986, the theatre department performed its production of “Master Harold” three times at the Kennedy Center 's Terrace Theatre as part of the National Showcase. In 1989, the department's production of “Brighton Beach Memoirs” ranked among the top nine productions nationally. Both productions were directed by Dr. David Dye, TSU professor and former Dean of the College of Communications and Fine Arts.
    In 1987 and 1988, students of the TSU Department of Speech and Theatre were honored in a nationwide competition as Kennedy Center National Acting Award winners.