Feb. 3, 2014

A number of Catholic University students and alumni from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music and the Department of Drama have received nominations for the 30th Helen Hayes Awards for their performances and work in Washington, D.C.-area productions. Senior musical theatre major Paul Scanlan (2014) was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor, Resident Musical, for his role as the MC for "Cabaret" at D.C.'s Keegan Theatre. For the same production, alumna Maria Rizzo (2012) was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, for her portrayal of Sally Bowles. Rizzo was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress, Resident Musical, for her role as Gypsy Rose Lee in "Gypsy" at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Va. Alumna Lauren Williams (2005) was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress, Resident Musical, for her work in "Elephant & Piggie's 'We Are in a Play!'" at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in D.C. Other music school students and alumnae were nominated for Outstanding Ensemble, including senior musical theatre major Jay Garrick for "Chorus Line" at Olney Theatre in Olney, Md., alumni Lauren Williams (2005) and Tracy Lynn Olivera (1999) for "Hello, Dolly!" at Ford's Theatre in D.C., and Kurt Boehm (2005) for "The Full Monty" at Keegan Theatre. "The Musical Theatre Division in the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music is one of the truly outstanding such programs in the United States," said Grayson Wagstaff, dean of music. "This is incredibly rare for students to be considered for such an elite professional award. The nomination of these CUA alumni and students is beautiful recognition of their hard work and talent and speaks to the dedication of our faculty members."Four alumni from the drama department received nominations, including Andrew F. Griffin (2006), who was nominated twice for Outstanding Lighting Design, Resident Production, for his work in "Henry V" at Folger Theatre in D.C. and "The Tempest" at Synetic Theater in Arlington. Ben Cunis (2006) received a nomination for Outstanding Movement, Resident Play, for his work on "The Three Musketeers" at Synetic Theater. James Kronzer (1985) was nominated for Outstanding Set Design, Resident Production, for "Glengarry Glen Ross" at the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Md. Matthew Dewberry (2009) received a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Resident Musical, for his performance in "The Full Monty" at Keegan Theatre. Patrick Tuite, chair and associate professor of drama, congratulated the four alumni who received nominations. "The drama department trains theatre artists to make a difference, and we are proud that the Helen Hayes Awards continues to recognize the achievements of our alumni," he said. The annual Helen Hayes Awards recognize outstanding achievement in plays and musicals in the more than 80 professional theaters in the D.C. area. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony April 8 at the National Building Museum.The Benjamin T. Rome School of Music is Washington, D.C.'s only university school of music. More than 2,000 of its alumni have won a variety of awards as performers, music educators, and scholars. The Department of Drama in the School of Arts and Sciences has long been the educational incubator for acclaimed playwrights, directors, and actors.