Two students qualify in college auditions

Two of the CNMI’s student representatives who attended the International Festival One-Act Play Marathon 2004 have received “call backs” after participating in the festival’s annual college scholarship auditions.

Jennifer Jang (Marianas High School) and Rose Marie Wakit (Saipan Southern High School), who are entering their senior year, participated in the auditions during the festival week, which ran from June 21 through June 26.

There were over 350 participants in the auditions, and these CNMI students from troupes at Saipan Southern High School and Marianas High School were among the top 10 percent who got “call backs,” which led to an extensive interview process.

The 10 colleges and universities that included Jang and Wakit on their “call back” lists are now actively recruiting them to attend their programs, which lead to bachelor’s degrees in Fine Arts, Theatre, or Dramatics.

The students said they now understand what recruited athletes feel like!

To complete the process, the students must successfully complete their senior year requirements and SAT obligations. They must also process all their paper work before Dec. 1, 2004.

The institutions include Florida State University, Nebraska-Wesleyan University, St. Louis University, South Western College, Southern Illinois University, Savannah College, Lawrence University and others.

These auditions were preceded by Individuals Event competitions that winnowed the student applicants who are qualified for these critical college auditions.

Following the auditions, the two students were joined by troupe members Dong Hwi (Thomas) Shim (SSHS) and Matthew Quiatchon (MHS) in presenting the opening production of the Festival’s One-Act Play Marathon. This is a four-day event and marks the third year of CNMI participation.

Their production of the hilarious comedy “The Chinese” by Murray Schisgal was greeted with non-stop laughter and capped by a standing ovation from their fellow thespians from around the United States and Canada. The production was performed at the University of Nebraska’s Carson Theatre, part of The Lied Performing Arts Center.

After these successes, the students attended workshops in Directing, Musical Theatre, and Preparing the Actors as well as Scenic Design, Improvisation and Stage Combat.

They also attended productions of other troupes including “Proof,” “Gospel,” “Bang Bang You’re Dead,” “Titanic” and “Children of a Lesser God.”

The group was under the partial sponsorship of the Public School System, Friends of the Arts and The AAG Fund. They were also associated with The National Forensic League competitions held the previous week in Salt Lake City, Utah.