Talent Showcase
Butler's own Shannon Donovan has been selected to represent Point Park University Conservatory for the Performing Arts Class of 2018 in the annual New York Showcase.
The 2014 Knoch High School graduate is pursuing a bachelor of fine arts in theater with a minor in psychology at the Pittsburgh university. She has been a teaching assistant for the stage combat course and has served as the fight choreographer for multiple productions at Point Park.
“I loved theater as a child and was always acting out my favorite parts in movies, but I didn't realize that I wanted to be an actor until freshman year at Knoch High School,” Donovan said.
“That was when I was cast in my first role ever. I was Slovitch the Butcher in Neil Simon's 'Fools.' I held a fake chicken the entire show,” she added.
Selection for the New York Showcase is coveted and hard-won.
“I had to get letters of recommendation from three professors, write a paper, and audition in front of a casting agent and a director from New York. Just about every senior auditioned, but they only selected 14 students. I was thrilled when I got in,” she said.
Donovan will perform a monologue from a Stephen Adly Guirgis play.
“It's serio-comic. I will also be performing a dramatic romantic scene from 'Indian Summer,' one of my new favorite plays. Her song at the end of the showcase is a beautiful, fresh adapted version of 'Keep Your Head Up' by Andy Grammer,” Donovan said.
The purpose of the event is for Point Park to showcase its top seniors to agencies and directors in New York.
“It's a marketing tool to hopefully help launch our careers. If it doesn't, it will be an amazing learning experience,” Donovan said.
In the past, students have signed with agents who got them auditions for shows in New York. Some students have been booked to shows directly from the showcase while others never get a call.
“The next couple days after we perform, the agents, directors or casting directors will schedule a meeting with us in their office if they like our work. After that, it's interviews and hopefully contracts,” she said.
Preparation for what can be a life-changing opportunity in addition to her studies can be daunting.
“We have been rehearsing all semester. It's been meticulous work. The rehearsal is actually a class led by two professors. They coach us and guide us. It's more of a collaboration at this point, than a class. We are all working together, and I feel so grateful to be working with these two extremely intelligent, wonderful women,” she said about the experience.
Of course Donovan's parents could not be prouder of the Dean's List student and actress.
“While being a successful college student, Shannon has remained very active in our community theatre,” said her mom, Connie Donovan.
Her daughter also directs children in a local theater show in the summer and teaches acting at a dance studio. And she hosts improv nights and volunteers with the Butler Little Theatre anytime she can, her mom added.
Shannon is quick to give a shout out to the BLT where she has honed her craft and been encouraged to pursue the arts.
“I have been acting, directing, building, costuming, teaching and hosting there for about six years. It was a great place for me to learn about the process of theater and the goodness of theater people,” she said.
“I learned how to appreciate all the hard work behind the performance. It was such a welcoming and warm place for me to discover more about what I love.”
Before taking the show on the road to New York, Shannon and 13 of her classmates will give performances of their showcase pieces at 6:30 p.m. May 2 and 4 at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
The New York Showcase will be at 4:30 and 7 p.m. May 7 at the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd St. in New York City. Reservations for the New York location are due by May 1 and are available by calling 412-392-3460.
WHAT: Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts 2018 New York Showcase piecesWHEN: 6:30 p.m. May 2 and 4WHERE: Pittsburgh Playhouse, 222 Craft Ave.ADMISSION: Free
