Every year, Northeast Community College students take the lead role in the fourth play of the school year.
Last year, students performed “The 39 Steps,” the Alfred Hitchcock thriller that was adapted for the stage. Northeast’s performance also proved to be a thriller, as four students and the director all took home awards from the American College Theater Festival (ACTF).
Aiden Doughty of Norfolk, who was a freshman theater major last year, was honored for sound design. Coincidentally, he had the lead male role in the production and was nominated for an Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.
Three students were honored for Ensemble Performance from the production, Charlie Starkel of Norfolk, who was a freshman theater major, Leah Tillman of Battle Creek, who was a freshman business major, and Presley Wolf, who was a junior at Battle Creek High School.
Adam Peterson, the Northeast Community College communications and theater instructor, was honored for his directing of the production. Peterson said he is proud of the efforts of everyone associated with the play.
“Logistically, that production was a huge challenge. It took a strong commitment from the entire crew to get it to come together. And it really came together that last week, which is where you want it to be, otherwise it starts to feel stale,” Peterson said.
The performance included dozens of rapid scene changes, which required a lot of timing and keeping everything moving.
Northeast also took nine students to the ACT Festival, which took place recently in Rochester, Minnesota. They were among about 1,200 students who attended workshops and watched plays while there. One of the workshops was put on by Peterson, whose workshop was called Devised Theater.
Devised Theater has no script, no plan, with students or an ensemble putting together a story. Improv is one of the tools used to get to the final production.
Peterson said the students learn a lot about theater at the festival and often become more excited about it. Many times it sparks an interest for a career.
“It was all very enjoyable,” Starkel said. “I was happy to be a part of it.”
Doughty said it was an educational experience.
“I learned a lot. There were a lot of good things, like finding out how to run certain programs and about resumes and all that,” Doughty said.
Wolf, who now is a senior in high school, has been taking part in Northeast/Norfolk Community Theater since she was a freshman in high school.
“It helps me to grow as an actor and learn the craft more,” she said. “Getting a college award as a junior in high school is a proud moment for me, and I am really honored.”
At Battle Creek, Wolf takes part in one-act, and speech, including duet acting.
Award-Winning Performers
Shown holding certificates for their honors from the American College Theater Festival from last April’s Northeast Community College production of “The 39 Steps” are Charlie Starkel of Norfolk, Presley Wolf of Battle Creek, Adam Peterson of Norfolk, who directed the play, and Aiden Doughty of Norfolk. Also honored but not shown was Leah Tillman of Battle Creek. (Northeast Community College)
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