UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 30, Page 3
May 4, 1995
Actors honored; E-52 Student Theatre first in state competition

     It began in 1923 as an English class that had been specifically
designed to produce plays, but over the years, it has evolved into an
award-winning student theatre group.
     E-52 Student Theatre, the oldest student theatre group on campus,
produces a season of plays each year, ranging from absurdist theatre
and comedy to student-written originals.
     Recently, the group's efforts were applauded when its performance
of Aria Da Capo, by Edna St. Vincent Millay, took honors for best play
at the 53rd annual Delaware State Play Festival.
     Students Bill Thompson and Shawn Fagan also won best actor awards
during the competition, sponsored by the Delaware Theatre Association
at the Everett Theatre in Middletown.
     Other participants in the festival included the Second Street
Players, Milford; Chapel Street Players, Newark; Artists Theatre
Association, Wilmington; the Wilmington Drama League; and Associated
Community Theatre, Middletown.
     As winner of the "Best Play," E-52 Student Theatre was chosen to
represent the state of Delaware in the Eastern States Theatre
Association Region II Festival, held the next day in Middletown.
     "It was really amazing," Fagan said. "We put the show together
just to take to that competition. It was really satisfying to win."
     Fagan, a sophomore English major with a minor in theatre,
originally found the play in a secondhand bookstore in London. He
thought it would be perfect for the competition.
     The award was particularly gratifying to Louis L. Hirsh,
associate director of admissions and the group's faculty adviser.
     "Artistically, it was the most ambitious play put on at the
festival," Hirsh said. "It required an audience that was willing to be
intellectually challenged and well as entertained."
     Hirsh, who has been involved with E-52 since 1978, said his
function is to offer advice and help settle problems that may arise.
     "I've always liked the theatre," Hirsh said. "I thoroughly enjoy
working with the students."
     With a membership of about 60 undergraduate students,
supplemented with occasional outside performers, E-52 Theatre averages
between five and six productions a year.
     "There is a fairly high level of technical accomplishment here,"
Hirsh said. "Students may be involved in production or acting, but
they are usually drawn to one area of interest."
     Fagan said he believes E-52 provides opportunities not usually
available in undergraduate-level theatre courses. Running the theatre
like a business takes a lot of organization, and it is not unusual for
members to put in 30 hours a week during a production.
     "Everything is done by the students," Fagan said. "This
responsibility makes people close."
     In addition to his acting duties, Fagan serves as the student
representative to the theatre board, conducts meetings where students
vent their opinions, and takes these issues to the executive
committee.
     Fagan's acting career began in fourth grade. Last summer, he
performed at the Bowman Ensemble Summer Theatre in Baltimore, where he
hopes to return this year.
     Matt Elwell, a senior English and philosophy major, has been with
E-52 for the past three years and currently serves as the group's
executive director.
     "I've always been interested in the theatre," Elwell said. "I
initially held off in my freshmen year because of academics, but I
couldn't wait any longer, so I got involved."
     Elwell said he likes the idea that E-52 has the resources to
experiment with different types of productions.
     In his position as executive committee chairperson, Elwell serves
as the link between the executive board officers and the student
members. He also deals with scheduling rehearsals.
     Other members of the spring 1995 E-52 Executive Committee include
Lea Ann M. Douglas, senior, president; Marni R. Delman, senior, vice
president; Ellen B. Levy, junior, secretary; and Philip S. Perschetz,
junior, treasurer.
     "The executive director is present at every show," Elwell said.
"He makes sure that quality standards are being enforced and that the
production is moving along at a reasonable pace."
     A friendly rivalry is said to exist among the student theatre
groups on campus, and some students have been involved with E-52, as
well as the Harrington Theatre Arts Company and the Black Student
Theatre.
     Hirsh said that the Professional Theatre Training Program (PTTP)
has been very supportive, providing costumes and props and offering
workshops about various aspects of theatre production.
     When they are not staging plays, the members of E-52 unwind by
getting together for banquets and picnics, movie nights and trips to
professional productions.
     "It's great to see another side of these students' lives, one
that exists outside the classroom," Hirsh said. "There's a tremendous
amount of talent among students at the University."
                                                         -Jerry Rhodes