Eastern Theatre Student Stephanie Madden of Suffield Performs at CREATE Conference

2016 May 6

More than 250 talented students at Eastern Connecticut State University presented research and creative work at the university's second annual CREATE conference this past April. CREATE stands for Celebrating Research Excellence and Artistic Talent at Eastern, and is the university's premier, academic year-end showcase. At the culminating event, students of all majors presented professional posters, live music, dance performances, artwork, photography, documentaries and panel discussions.

Stephanie Madden '16 of Suffield, who majors in Psychology and Theatre, performed at the conference. Madden's performance, presented alongside classmate Hanna Madler, was titled "The Journey of Theatre Competitions: Performing Scenes from the Irene Ryan Acting Competition."

"My partner and I performed scenes we prepared for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)," said Madden. "I was chosen as an Irene Ryan candidate in the fall 2015 semester for my performance in 'Doubt: A Parable.' In order to prepare for the competition, Hanna and I met together during November and December, during which we researched scenes and characters based on our types and dynamic. Later, we met with our mentor, J.J. Cobb, for extensive coaching; we spent time on blocking, character choices, and rehearsing the performance order. Through our experience at KCACTF, Hanna and I received feedback that has expanded our perspectives for the scenes as well as acting choices we can use in the future. At CREATE, we performed two scenes; the first from 'Crimes of the Heart' by Beth Henley, the second from 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde, and then I performed a monologue from 'Romeo and Juliet' by William Shakespeare."

Remarking on the variety of presentations, Professor Dickson Cunningham, conference co-chair, said, "CREATE encapsulates the essence of the liberal arts in one afternoon. It is an intellectual smorgasbord."

Speaking to the value of CREATE, Eastern President Elsa Nunez said, "It takes a very strong and dedicated student to produce this quality of work, and it's important for other students to see this output." Praising the faculty, she added, "It takes a committed and skillful mentor to guide students to the work that is on display. Mentorship is such an integral part of undergraduate research."

During the one-day conference, the Student Center crawled with artistic and scholarly activity. Students in professional attire addressed their peers, faculty and family. In the cafe, ensembles performed; in the theatre, student-produced documentaries were shown; in the Betty R. Tipton Room, aisles of posters depicting scientific research were displayed; across the hall, a gallery-worth of paintings lined the walls; and on the ground floor, panel discussions and oral presentations about the humanities took place.