TROY, Ala. — A production of the Troy University Department of Theatre and Dance has been selected for regional competition in the Kennedy Center's American College Theater Festival.
Troy students will perform “29,” a faculty-written musical, in the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Region IV contest, which takes place Feb. 2-6 at the College of Charleston in Charleston, S.C.
Among the cast members is Crestview resident Shelby Steverson, who plays Stephen. Performers also include Lacey Alexander of Morris, Ala., as Devon; Tori Beauchamp of Alpharetta, Ga., as Sandra; Sean Birkett of Palm City, Fla., as Danny; Raquel Cole of Troy, Ala., as Maricia; Kaitlyn Conway of Prattville, Ala., as Alex; DJ Gilroy of Enterprise, Ala., as Jeff; Anna Maria Mollica of Alabaster, Ala., as Sue; Seth Alderman of Altha, as Andy.
Sixty-five participating productions in the Southeast were considered for inclusion in the regional festival, with “29” making it to the final field of six.
The production, which has been selected to close the festival on Feb. 6, is a pop/rock musical theatre song cycle that features a tapestry of characters in their 20s, each facing defining moments of growing up, from graduating college to getting a job and finding romance.
With sounds reminiscent of Billy Joel, Ben Folds and James Taylor, the show ranges from playful and funny to touching and uplifting. The new musical was co-written by Troy University graduate and current Troy Theatre faculty member Tommy Newman.
“This is a true accomplishment,” said Tori Lee Averett, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. “The musical ‘29’ was specifically requested for placement in the coveted Saturday night performance slot, the closing show for the entire festival, which is an honor. This is an exciting opportunity for us.”
Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a national theater program involving 20,000 students from more than 700 colleges and universities nationwide
District IV includes colleges and universities from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, southern Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Productions selected from regional competitions will advance to the national festival at the Kennedy Center in April.
Before the trip to South Carolina, though, the department will present a free performance 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 in the Claudia Crosby Theater.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview resident, Troy student bound for regional theater competition