First Time in 9 Years MU Students Perform at Festival

For the first time in nine years, a Millersville University theatre production was invited to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. MU students performed “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised) (again)” on Jan. 14, 2025, in Pittsburgh.

While most Millersville students were enjoying their families and relaxing during winter break, the student actors, technicians and those involved with the production were on campus rehearsing for the festival.

The play was directed by Jonathan Strayer, Director of Dramatics and assistant professor of communication & theatre at Millersville and was first performed in Dutcher Hall on campus in February and March of 2024. “It’s a fun play,” says Strayer, “and a great way to introduce people to the world of Shakespeare.”

“Every year, Millersville submits our two major productions to be reviewed,” explains Strayer. You can submit the production as an associate or a participant.

When a production is submitted as an associate, one person reviews the play, not as a critic but as a consultant for the students. When a production is submitted as a participant, two people review the play, and the top plays are then selected to perform at the festival. Millersville applied to be a participant, and the play was reviewed by trained respondents.

Millersville’s production was one of five to be performed at the festival and was selected from approximately 75 entries.

“We were not only selected to perform at the PNC Theatre at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, but we also opened the festival,” says Strayer.  “Rafters Theatre on campus holds around 80 people, our students performed in front of 600 while in Pittsburgh.”

In addition to performing the play, the conference and festival included a variety of workshops for faculty and students.  Millersville students Madison Reisinger and Kat Thorpe both received recognition for their work. Reisinger was given an honorable mention for Stage Management and Thorpe applied for and was accepted to direct a 10-minute play at the conference.

“It was quite the intensive experience for all of our students,” says Strayer. “In the case of Kat, she arrived, received the play and didn’t have much time before presenting it at the conference.”

Thirty-one students along with Harry Schueren, production manager at Millersville and Adam Boyer, assistant professor in communication and theatre traveled to Pittsburgh.

MU student Nathaniel Hawley was the assistant director of the production. “Nathaniel worked hard with Harry, Adam and the entire crew to get the space setup in Pittsburgh. It was very much a team effort,” says Strayer.

“I am proud of and amazed by our students,” says Boyer. “They really took the initiative to make this happen! We made sure they had time, place and funds – but they did the work to make this a reality, from rehearsals to adapting the set for travel.”

Strayer says the students all worked hard, and many received certificates of merit for their work.

The last time Millersville was invited to perform at the festival was in 2016. Students performed “Bury the Dead,” directed by Tony Elliott.

Strayer concluded, “I’d like to thank the Communication & Theatre Department, especially chair, Dr. Lowery Woodall, along with Dr. Ieva Zake, Dean of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences and the Millersville University Alumni Association for their support. We couldn’t have done it without them.”