CWU CTE To Present Pulitzer Prize Winner: 'How I Learned To Drive'

May 12, 2004

Contact: Leslee Caul (509-963-1760/fax: 509-963-1767/e-mail: caull@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash.-- Fasten your seatbelts: "How I Learned to Drive," Central Washington University's Central Theatre Ensemble's (CTE) production of Paula Vogel's award-winning play will open Thursday, May 13 in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre, with productions planned for the next two weekends.

The play, directed by Brenda Hubbard, CWU theatre arts professor, explores the relationship between a young girl and her uncle in Maryland in the 1960s.

Winner of a 1998 Pulitzer Prize, "How I Learned to Drive" is a surprisingly funny, yet devastating story of a woman who learned the rules of life from behind the wheel. The Village Voice referred to Vogel's work as "the sweetest and most forgiving play ever written about child abuse."

Amy Hill, junior theatre arts major, plays the lead role of Lil' Bit. Hill has been featured in many of Central's productions including "Macbeth," "Pinocchio," "West Side Story" and, most recently, "Bus Stop." Hill's work in the 2002 production of "Hay Fever" earned her a nomination for the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. She is the daughter of Roger and Janet Hill of Olympia.

Sophomore theatre arts major Ryan Holmberg will take on the challenging role of Uncle Peck, the charming and obsessive object of Lil' Bit's fascination and fear. Holmberg was recently a semi-finalist in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition and was seen playing two roles in "Tens," CTE's 10-minute play festival. He is the son of Dave and Janie Holmberg and Barb MacGregor of Lacey.

Jen Kennelly plays Lil' Bit's caring but feather-brained mother and serves double duty as the show's choreographer. Kennelly, a senior theatre arts major, has an extensive dance and musical theater background, including parts in CTE's recent "West Side Story" and Leavenworth Summer Theatre's "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Her double role of Candlewick and FireEater in CTE's "Pinocchio" garnered her an Irene Ryan Acting Competition nomination. She is the daughter of Jim and Kathleen Kennelly of Sumner.

Theatre arts newcomer Connie Pyles and theatre arts senior Matt Milton play Lil' Bit's crass, funny grandparents. Pyles, from Yakima, appeared in the CWU Center for Student Empowerment's production of "The Vagina Monologues" this year and has a background in costume design and construction.

Milton is an award-winning actor, playwright and director whose talents have been seen in CTE's 2003 One-Act Play Festival, "The Honorable Urashima Taro" and "Laughter on the 23rd Floor." He is the son of Randy and Leah Milton of Tacoma.

Kristl Miller, senior theatre arts major, returns home to Ellensburg from the University of California Santa Barbara and the British American Drama Academy to play Aunt Mary -- a short but dramatically intense role. Miller was an Irene Ryan Acting Competition finalist in 2001 for her role in CTE's "Mud/Entertaining Mr. Helms" and was recently nominated again for her work in "Buttercup," featured in the fall quarter TENS: Original 10-Minute Plays. She is the daughter of Homer and Judy Miller.

Theatre arts majors Brian Kiger, Shayne McNeil, Amanda Rubeck and Bridget Foley round out the cast as the show's chorus -a mix of roles including students, waiters and children. The chorus is an ever-shifting, vibrant part of the play, and these actors come to their roles with a mixture of experience levels and specialties.

"How I Learned to Drive" will be presented May 13 and 20 at 7 p.m., May 14, 15, 21 and 22 at 8 p.m., and May 16 at 2 p.m. in the Milo Smith Tower Theatre.

Tickets are $10 general admission, $9 for seniors, 65 years of age and older, and $8 for students with valid identification.

The Milo Smith Tower Theatre box office is open weekdays from 1 to 5 p.m., and one hour prior to each performance. Tickets can also be purchased by phone with a VISA or MasterCard by calling (509) 963-1774.

For more information, or for persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation, call (509) 963-1774, or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-2143.

"How I Learned to Drive" contains sexually explicit images and themes and is intended for mature audiences.