Fairfield University Fellows scholar to share results of year long study on dramaturgy in the American theater May 3 | Press Releases

Fairfield University senior Wendy Scola, who is also a recipient of a University Fellows Scholarship, will present a public lecture in which she will discuss the fruits of her year long study in "Dramaturgy in the American Theater," Thursday, May 3 from 4-6 p.m. in the PepsiCo theater on the Fairfield University campus. Following the lecture, which is free to the public, there will be a Q & A session and a reception.

Scola, a native of Oxford, Connecticut is a double major in psychology and Visual and Performing Arts with an emphasis on theatre. In addition to being awarded the $15,000 grant, University Fellows receive preferential registration and a $1,000 research stipend. Scola used the stipend over a year's time to visit various New York City theatres and explore first-hand the role a dramaturg plays in designing a season of plays by choosing scripts and honing these choices while working closely with a director to create the most dynamic creative experience possible for the production's creative team and ultimately for audiences.

Scola's lecture focuses on the question, "Is there a place for a dramaturg in the American Theater?" Her aim is to answer this question by recounting her own experience as the Production Dramaturg of William Shakespeare's "As You Like It," Theatre Fairfield's final production of the season; she will also share stories of specific New York City experiences with professional dramaturgs and she will reveal the scope of many of the successes several companies have achieved through the reclamation of classical theater pieces.

The University Fellows Scholarship is a one of several merit scholarships offered by Fairfield University Office of Undergraduate Admissions to talented students entering as freshmen. Among other qualifications necessary for applicants, the university seeks first-year candidates of the highest academic achievement as well as those who demonstrate a commitment to citizenship and public service. It is a highly selective program and those considered qualified to apply will have excelled academically while in high school, have attained above 1300 on the SAT, have exceptionally strong records of achievement in high school, including honors and advanced placement coursework and extra-curricular involvement. The grant is renewable provided the student maintains a 3.5 grade average.

The stipend carries with it an obligation to either write a paper detailing the recipient's findings or present the findings orally. Scola chose the latter way of conveying her newly acquired information. "I would much rather talk with interested people about what I learned from my research," Scola remarked recently. "It is a much more dynamic process and offers the opportunity to exchange information through the questions and answers," she added.

The PepsiCo Theatre is located off Round Hill Avenue on the Fairfield University campus. All are welcome to attend and reservations are not necessary.