Nearly a decade after Virginia Tech last competed in the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival (ACTF), they will return to regional competition February 2. The School of the Arts and Theatre Arts-University Theatre is one step closer to the national stage when it remounts the recent The Laramie Project for the region IV festival hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design.

The Laramie Project, performed at Squires Studio Theatre last October, is one of six productions invited to perform in Savannah, Georgia, from more than 40 nominated college and university productions from 10 southeastern states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The production is the first Virginia Tech entry since 1993 when TA-UT’s Fences was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center, the highest ACTF honor.

"Our nomination is an extraordinary affirmation of the quality of work we do. It recognizes, on a national level, work that would otherwise only be visible locally. It is a major event, especially in the context of Virginia Tech’s desire to be a top university," explains The Laramie Project director, Susanna Rinehart.

In addition to the production, five students were selected to participate in the Irene Ryan competition, an audition-like competition for individual actors. Another three students will be adjudicated for technical designs, including lights, scenography and puppet design.

Over $12,000 must be raised to cover the expense of competing at the regional festival. A benefit performance is scheduled for 7:30pm on January 27 at the Squires Haymarket Theatre. Tickets for the special performance are $10 for students and $15 for adults. Those interested can provide greater support by purchasing patron tickets, available at $25, $50 and $100 and include a show ticket plus a tax-deductible contribution.

For more information, contact the Department of Theatre & Cinema at theatre@vt.edu or (540) 231-5335.