Buffalo State College and Studio Arena Theatre Take Another Step in Partnership
Drew Kahn, associate professor of theater at Buffalo State College, and Kathleen Gaffney, Studio Arena’s CEO and Artistic Director, jointly announced that Justin Fiordaliso of Kenmore, N.Y., is this year’s recipient of The Donald Savage Actors of Promise Scholarship award. Fiordaliso will attend Buffalo State College and major in Theater this fall.
As the recipient of this scholarship, Fiordaliso will be immersed into the world of professional theatre while interning at Studio Arena. Throughout his four-week session, Fiordaliso will spend his mornings working in the Theatre School performing both administrative and logistical tasks, while spending his afternoons in rehearsals for the Theatre School’s special production of FRONTIERS.
The Donald Savage Actors of Promise Scholarship was created in honor of former Buffalo State theater professor Donald Savage. Savage was also Gaffney’s mentor; he cast her in her first play and provided guidance to her throughout her career until he passed away in October 2005. Today, his memory is strong on Buffalo State’s campus as the building where performing arts classes are held is proudly named The Donald Savage Theater and Communication Building.
“I spoke at the dedication of the Donald Savage Theater and Communications Building, when Don passed away the day before the ceremony,” said Gaffney. “Since then, I have been looking for ways to connect to his memory to the theatre in a significant way and this is a good first step.”
Buffalo State and Studio Arena are pleased to continue to strengthen their partnership through efforts such as these. "Professor Savage would have been smiling from ear to ear knowing that this scholarship is going to help a young theater artist pursue excellence on stage,” said Kahn. “We are continuing a tradition of excellence he helped create at both the Buffalo State College Theater Department and Studio Arena Theatre."
For more information about the Buffalo State Donald Savage Performing Arts Scholarship visit www.buffalostate.edu/theater or call (716) 878-6416. For other internship opportunities available at Studio Arena, log on to www.studioarena.org.
As the recipient of this scholarship, Fiordaliso will be immersed into the world of professional theatre while interning at Studio Arena. Throughout his four-week session, Fiordaliso will spend his mornings working in the Theatre School performing both administrative and logistical tasks, while spending his afternoons in rehearsals for the Theatre School’s special production of FRONTIERS.
The Donald Savage Actors of Promise Scholarship was created in honor of former Buffalo State theater professor Donald Savage. Savage was also Gaffney’s mentor; he cast her in her first play and provided guidance to her throughout her career until he passed away in October 2005. Today, his memory is strong on Buffalo State’s campus as the building where performing arts classes are held is proudly named The Donald Savage Theater and Communication Building.
“I spoke at the dedication of the Donald Savage Theater and Communications Building, when Don passed away the day before the ceremony,” said Gaffney. “Since then, I have been looking for ways to connect to his memory to the theatre in a significant way and this is a good first step.”
Buffalo State and Studio Arena are pleased to continue to strengthen their partnership through efforts such as these. "Professor Savage would have been smiling from ear to ear knowing that this scholarship is going to help a young theater artist pursue excellence on stage,” said Kahn. “We are continuing a tradition of excellence he helped create at both the Buffalo State College Theater Department and Studio Arena Theatre."
For more information about the Buffalo State Donald Savage Performing Arts Scholarship visit www.buffalostate.edu/theater or call (716) 878-6416. For other internship opportunities available at Studio Arena, log on to www.studioarena.org.
Media Contact:
Phyllis Camesano, Public Relations Director | 7168784325 | camesapa@buffalostate.edu