KINGSTON, R.I. — March 19, 2002 — The University of Rhode Island’s Theatre Department is proud to announce that they have been selected to host the 2002 State Drama Festival on Saturday, March 23, 2002. Six district winners will present hour-long productions in an all-day event at the Fine Arts Center. Approximately 300 students, teachers and community leaders from across the state will be in attendance to view and participate in the preparation, performance and evaluation of these plays. Two top-rated schools will advance to the New England Festival in April.

The general event schedule for the day is as follows:

8-9 AM – Registration, orientation and Welcoming Address
9-10 AM – Play # 1 Performance
10-11 AM – Play #2 Performance
11-12 noon – Play #3 Performance
12-2 PM – Lunch break for students
12-12:20 – PM Critique for Morning Session Directors followed by Lunch Break
2-3 PM – Play #4 Performance
3-4 PM – Play # 5 Performance
4-5 PM – Play #6 Performance
5-5 PM – Critique for Afternoon Session Directors
5:30-6 PM – Performance of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” by URI and RIC Theatre students
6-7 PM – Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks

Performances of plays 1-6 will be followed by judging and critiques. This festival is open to the general public and the cost is $5 per session (3 shows in morning session and 3 shows in afternoon session) or $10 for the day. Tickets can be obtained at the door. Performances will take place in the Robert E. Will Theatre on the Kingston Campus. For more information, please contact the Theatre Department at 874-5922.

For Information: Bonnie Bosworth, 874-5922