First Stage Students Place First in Utah Competition!

Milwaukee, WI – First Stage Theater Academy sent members of its Young Company to compete in the Utah Shakespeare Festival, held October 5-6, 2012 in Cedar City, Utah. This marks the Young Company’s sixth trip to the competition. Their first place finish marks the sixth consecutive time that the Academy has placed in the top three. It is the third time they have won the competition outright. The team of 12 high school students from the Academy’s pre-professional training program for teens won first place overall for its division, third for its Ensemble Scene, and placed both first and third in Monologues.

Erin Stapleton of Milwaukee won first place with her performance of “Margaret” from RICHARD iii in the Monologue Competition. With this victory she also received a $1,000 scholarship to Southern Utah University. Hayley Grey-Hoehn of Brookfield placed third with her performance of “Portia” from JULIUS CAESAR.

“This competition consistently offers our young actors an extraordinary educational experience,” said John Maclay, First Stage associate artistic director and director of the Young Company. “First Stage is incredibly proud of these students. Their work ethic and commitment to classical theatre is inspiring.”

In addition to Maclay, the program’s director, local professional theatre artists who helped prepare the students included Matt Daniels, Angela Iannone and Todd Denning.

Students who competed for First Stage Theater Academy, along with their schools, are: Homeschooled students Christine and Katherine Pollnow; Matthew Steege (senior at Prairie School); Hayley Gray-Hoehn (senior at Brookfield Central High School); Abbi Minessale (junior at Brookfield Academy); Caroline Fossum (sophomore at Grafton High School); Kiaran Hartnett and Laura Mesrobian (juniors at Whitefish Bay High School); Ashley Patin (senior at Muskego High School); Andrew Oppmann (senior at Arrowhead High School); and Erin Stapleton (senior at Wauwatosa West High School).