Nazareth College musical theatre students cast in "A Christmas Carol" at Geva Theatre Center!

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Nazareth College Theatre Students cast in Geva's production of A Christmas Carol (L-R): Kayla Perconti, Jennifer Menter, Ashley Squairs, Morgan Naum

ROCHESTER, NY (11/06/2012)(readMedia)-- Nazareth College is pleased to announce that four musical theatre majors from its Department of Theatre Arts have been cast in Geva Theatre Center's 2012-2013 production of A Christmas Carol.

Nazareth College senior Jennifer Menter (Syracuse, New York) along with juniors Morgan Naum (Liverpool, New York), Kayla Perconti (Irondequoit, New York), and Ashley Squairs (Syracuse, New York) were cast in the production's ensemble.

The students have been cast in four of the six adult female ensemble roles in the production of A Christmas Carol, giving them an opportunity to learn from Geva's professional cast and crew. In addition, Nazareth College Department of Theatre arts alumna Meg Richardson was cast in the role of Belle, Scrooge's former fiancée.

In addition to maintaining their course loads, the four students will rehearse at Geva beginning November 6, and will appear in up to 10 performances each week during the production's one-month run.

Don Kot, assistant professor in professional practice/director of musical theatre in the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts, who also serves as Geva's resident music director and music director for A Christmas Carol, was instrumental in the students' casting. "Geva was looking for interns for the ensemble and I suggested our musical theatre students, who then auditioned for both the director, Mark Cuddy, and myself," he explains. "Their casting speaks to the strong relationship the Nazareth Theatre Department and Geva have built over the years. On a more personal note, I am thrilled that these students have been given this opportunity to work alongside a team of professionals, and I'm excited to work with them in this capacity and help them prepare!"

Mark Cuddy, artistic director of Geva Theatre Center and director of A Christmas Carol, speaks highly of Nazareth College's Theatre Arts program. "I am always impressed by the talent and craft exhibited by student actors from Nazareth College, and I am delighted that four of them will be able to join our professional cast of A Christmas Carol," he offers. "It is clear that they receive excellent training from Don Kot of the musical theatre program, as well as from others. Geva Theatre Center is proud to already have a close relationship with Nazareth, and we look forward to an even deeper one as we continue to collaborate on training young actors."

Adds Lindsay Reading Korth, Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts chair. "We are so proud of our students having this opportunity to intern at Geva, which is exposing them to the rigors and excellence represented by the finest theater in town. Deepening our relationship with Geva is exciting as we launch our new professional training programs with Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in acting, musical theatre, and technical production."

Although she appeared in one student performance of a 2009-2010 production of Almost, Maine on the Geva stage, this is Perconti's first full-length professional theater run. "I didn't expect to have an opportunity like this until after I graduated," she says. "I'm excited and nervous at the same time, and glad to share this experience with friends and such a supportive cast!"

Naum, whose previous roles have been in school productions and community theater, adds, "This is a big step for us. We'll be juggling a lot between school and the show, but everyone at Nazareth and Geva are helping us make it work."

Squairs was also impressed with the commitment Geva staff members have to the student actors. "We had a costume fitting and everyone in Geva's costume shop was so excited for us This is an amazing opportunity for all four of us, and I am so grateful to be a part of it!"

Unlike the others, Menter has professional experience, having spent last summer touring with a New York City-based dance company. Still, she realizes the unique opportunity the students have been given. "We have a chance to do what we love! And this is great to put on a resumé as we launch our careers. We are going to listen to what the director and actors tell us and learn so much."

A Christmas Carol runs on Geva Theatre Center's Elaine P. Wilson Mainstage from Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 23, 2012. For more information, visit gevatheatre.org.

About Nazareth College

Nazareth is a coeducational, independent college on a suburban campus just outside Rochester, N.Y. The College challenges students to rise to their potential with a liberal arts and sciences foundation, professional programs, experiential learning, and an innovative curriculum that addresses the current and emerging needs of the world - ranging from economics to physical therapy to environmental science. With more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs, a vibrant arts center and a variety of athletics, clubs and organizations, Nazareth prepares students to be successful professionals and engaged citizens. For more information, visit naz.edu.

About the Nazareth College Department of Theatre Arts

The Department of Theatre Arts provides professional training in theatre and musical theatre performance and production, as well as preparing students for graduate work and specialized advanced studies in the entertainment industry. The Department of Theatre Arts' play season has often been listed among the top 10 nationally by The Princeton Review. This year features productions including Mad Forest, Ordinary Days, Plaza Suite, and The Threepenny Opera. Like every year, all the roles, scenery, costumes, and lighting will be designed and built by department faculty and students. For more information, visit naz.edu/theatre-arts.

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