Four Southwestern Oregon Community College Theatre Program students recently returned from Ellensburg, Wash., where they participated in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition. Students Levi Goodman and Amy Katrina both participated with partners in two scenes and a monologue during the six minutes allotted. The students received guidance from director Alice Carlson and theater instructor Rob Clingan. After three rounds, the top finishers advanced to nationals in Washington, D.C.

“In the big four-year schools it is so competitive that the students take year-long courses in auditioning, just to prepare for this competition,” Clingan said. “So our students went up against some very strong competition.”

 Katrina and Goodman were selected for the competition based on their performance in the Southwestern Theatre Department production of “Antigone” - which Carlson directed during fall term. Representatives of the Kennedy Center competition viewed the play and assessed actors' performances before inviting Katrina and Goodman to the competition.

The Southwestern Oregon Community College Foundation funded the student trip to Washington.