Kent, OH 鈥� Local theatre critics recently honored Porthouse Theatre, Kent State University鈥檚 summer professional theatre, for achievements during the theatre鈥檚 2015 season. The theatre鈥檚 2015 productions were recognized in multiple categories including acting, directing, musical direction, choreography, and costume and scenic design.
Cleveland Jewish News critic Bob Abelman recognized associate professor Jonathan Swoboda as the year鈥檚 Best Musical Director for his work on 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥� In his 鈥淏est Theatre of 2015鈥� article, Abelman applauded Swoboda鈥檚 鈥渟uperb musical direction鈥� and praised his ability to capture the production鈥檚 complex musical numbers using a string quintet.
The Cleveland Critics Circle recognized 9 members of the 2015 Porthouse Theatre company in their annual Cleveland Critics Circle Awards. The Awards recognize outstanding Cleveland area productions, performers, directors and designers who contribute to the professional theatre scene.
- Kent State University assistant professor Amy Fritsche won Best Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Violet in 鈥淰iolet.鈥�
- Kent State associate professor Jonathan Swoboda won for Best Musical Direction for 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥� Swoboda also received Superior Achievement recognition in the Musical Direction category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Porthouse鈥檚 productions of 鈥淎 Little Night Music鈥� and 鈥淰iolet鈥� received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Musical Production category.
- John R. Crawford-Spinelli, Dean of Kent State鈥檚 College of the Arts, received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Choreographer category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Kent State assistant professor Jennifer Korecki received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Musical Direction category for 鈥淰iolet.鈥�
- Kent State associate professor S.Q. Campbell received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Costume Design category for 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥�
- Jared Dixon received Superior Achievement twice in the Best Actor in a Musical category for his performances in 鈥淰iolet鈥� and 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Lucy Anders received Superior Achievement in the Best Actress in a Musical category for her performance in 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥�
- Sean Morrissey received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Direction of a Musical category for his direction of 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥�
- Steven C. Anderson received Superior Achievement recognition in the Best Direction of a Musical category for his direction of 鈥淰iolet.鈥�
Porthouse Theatre鈥檚 2015 season was also recognized by American Critics Association critic and BroadwayWorld.com contributor Roy Berko in his 鈥�2015 Times Theater Tributes.鈥�
- Porthouse Theatre鈥檚 production of 鈥淰iolet鈥� won in the Outstanding Musical Production category. The theatre鈥檚 production of 鈥淗airspray鈥� was also recognized in the category.
- Assistant professor Amy Fritsche won in the Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Musical category for 鈥淰iolet.鈥�
- Associate professor Jonathan Swoboda won in the Outstanding Musical Director category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Steven C. Anderson won in the Outstanding Director of a Musical Category.
- Professor and Porthouse producing artistic director Terri Kent was recognized in the Outstanding Director of a Musical category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Kent State professor and College of the Arts dean John R. Crawford-Spinelli was recognized in the Outstanding Choreography in a Theatre Production category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Assistant professor Jennifer Korecki was recognized in the Outstanding Musical Director category for 鈥淰iolet.鈥�
- Associate professor S.Q. Campbell was recognized in the Outstanding Costume Design category for 鈥淎 Little Night Music.鈥�
- Kent State alumnus Nolan O鈥橠ell was recognized in the Outstanding Scenic Design category for 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
- Jared Dixon was recognized in the Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Musical category for 鈥淰iolet鈥� and 鈥淗airspray.鈥�
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Media Contact:
Joni Koneval, 330-672-0116, jkoneval@kent.edu
