CWU Theatre Production Gets Top Honors

March 12, 2008

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - This past February, Central Washington University's Central Theatre Ensemble group showcased their production of "NOH Telling" at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Laramie, WY. Following the festival, the group was notified that their production was one of seven nationally chosen shows competing for four spots at the national conference. The national conference takes place April 14-20, at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

"We are very proud of our students and faculty for the accomplishment of brining this diverse cultural experience to the region and representing the quality of work that is being done here at Central," says Michael J. Smith, Artistic Director for Central's Theatre Ensemble. Smith adds, "The fact that CWU is presenting work that is nationally recognized only serves to reinforce our goals here and provide great hope for the future of this program."

The theatre department received word last week however, that their production was not one of the plays selected to be performed at the national conference. "While it would have been great to attend, just the fact that we were recognized as having one of the seven best plays in the nation speaks very highly of our program here at Central," said Scott Robinson, chair of the Theatre Arts Department.

"Noh Telling" is directed by George Bellah 3rd and was commissioned by CWU's Asian Studies Development Program. It was first performed at CWU before being presented at the 2007 International Conference in Seattle last March.

Media Contact:
Leslee Caul, CWU Theatre Arts, 509-963-1760, caull@cwu.edu
Kyle Torrens, CWU Public Relations and Marketing, 509-963-1493, torrensk@cwu.edu

Central Washington University is a master's degree-granting institution with approximately 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. More than 160 undergraduate and master's degrees are offered. Founded in 1891, the Ellensburg campus is located in the heart of Washington State, nestled between the Cascade Mountains and the Columbia River. Since 1975, CWU has served the needs of place bound students at six university centers throughout the state. CWU is an AA/EEO Title IX Institution.