SVSU student from Warren shines on Midwest theatre stage

2017 Jan 25

Saginaw Valley State University students turned their passion for theatre and strong work ethic into performances that earned praise and top honors - including an invitation to a national competition - during a festival featuring students from across the Midwest.

SVSU theatre students competed during the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for Region III Jan. 10-14 in Indianapolis. The event includes colleges and universities from Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Jonah Conner, of Warren, advanced to the semifinal round of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the festival. Conner also won the Region III 10-Minute Play Directing Award at the festival, giving SVSU two top honors..

Ric Roberts, SVSU professor of theatre, served as chairman of the organization's Region III festival. He said SVSU students spent about one month rehearsing the material they performed at the festival.

"The level of dedication and determination is high," Roberts said. "This, of course, is all happening while they are working on SVSU productions, too."

He said the festival exposed his theatre students to talented peers from across the Midwest.

"Going to the regional festival, they get a chance to see not only where the stack up against their peers, but also how SVSU can compete with the best of them," Roberts said.