SDSU Production Selected for Kennedy Center Festival

The San Diego State University School of Theatre, Television and Film’s September production of Dear Harvey will participate in the Southwest Regional Finals for the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) being held in St. George, Utah in early February.

If the show does well in Utah, the production will move to the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in April.

SDSU connections

Originally commissioned by San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre, SDSU alumnae Patricia Loughrey’s original play Dear Harvey had its world premiere at Diversionary in April 2009. The production includes original music by current SDSU student Thomas Hodges, uses historical photos of Harvey Milk by Daniel Nicoletta, and was first directed by Diversionary’s executive and artistic director, Dan Kirsch.

Drawn from more than 30 interviews conducted by the Loughrey, Dear Harvey recounts the achievements and vision of the first openly gay man elected to a major public office in the United States. A drag queen, a state senator, an international gay rights activist, a 19-year-old composer—the play weaves these voices and more with the personal and political writings of Harvey Milk to paint a portrait of a leader, and a vision for equality.

Supported by photos from Milk’s friends and family, Dear Harvey celebrates the stories not found in history books: stories of a love that reached beyond fear.

Well-received show heads to Utah

The SDSU production, directed by Peter Cirino, featured John Alspaugh, Shane Blackburn, Crystal Brandan, Emily Davenport, Ken Hodges, Courtney Howard, Diahann McCrary, Kristin McReddie, Bailey Neill, Anthony Simone, Derek Smith, Jon Wat, Berlyn Wieland and Jacqui Yawn. The show played to sold-out, standing ovation crowds during its run at SDSU.

Patricia Loughrey’s script for Dear Harvey is entered in KCACTF Michael Kanin Playwriting Awards Program and is under consideration for several awards, including:

• David Mark Cohen Award
• Rosa Parks Playwriting Award
• Paula Vogel Award

In addition, three SDSU students are up for Irene Ryan acting awards for their roles in Dear Harvey, including:

• Anthony Simone for his portrayal of Nicole Murray-Ramirez
• Derek Smith for his portrayal of Cleve Jones
• Diahann McCrary for her portrayal of Dottie Wine 

Three members of the production have received Meritorious Achievement Awards, including:

• Thomas Hodges for Musical Score
• Lauren Beck for Dramaturgy
• Lila “Lace” Flores for Lighting Design

SDSU is now fundraising to get the production to Utah. A tax-deductible donation of $457 will completely underwrite one actor’s expense for the entire week of the regional festival, including hotel, registration fees, acting workshops, transportation and a few meals. There are 14 actors and two stage managers traveling to Utah.  To help send this production to Utah, please call Jay Sheehan at SDSU at (619) 594-4990 or via e-mail at JSheehan@mail.sdsu.edu.

About the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival

The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program dedicated to improving the quality of college theater in the United States.

The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.  Through state, regional and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another's work and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists.

The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing and design. For more information about KCACTF, please visit the website, for more information on the regional festival, click here.