Actors win big at competition

Staff Reports
The Collegian

Fresno State senior Brandon Petrie won the Irene Ryan acting competition in Cedar City, Utah, this Saturday.

For winning, Petrie will compete at the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington D.C. in April. Petrie, his acting partner Kris Cadieux, and the other national finalists have also been invited to perform for casting directors in New York.

“It [winning] was a splendid treat,” Petrie said. “It was surprising, I kind of didn’t realize I had won.”

Brandon Petrie has advanced to the final round four times before, making him the record holder for advancement in the competition for the region.

Fresno State proved to be a major force at the regional competition with Jacque Babb and Danielle Jorn making it to the final round of competition. James Hume and Rhiannon Fernandez also made it to the semi final round.

Jacque Babb’s goal was to make it into the semifinal round. She competed with the top eight in the finals.
“I was a lot more nervous getting into semis,” she said.

On Petrie’s winning the regional finals Babb said after hearing the respondents review Petrie’s presentation it was kind of a “no duh.”

Beyond the awards for individuals some Fresno State students were recognized for their work in dramatic pieces as a whole and for their work behind the scenes.

Fernandez was also recognized as one of four best actresses at the competition for her work in “Canyon Suite.”

“Canyon Suite” was directed by Fresno State professor Brad Myers and may also be performed in Washington D.C.

Junior Melissa Riordan won the regional makeup design award.

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