Students in the West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance Master’s of Fine Art Acting Class of 2018 are completing three years of intensive study and will soon begin their careers as professional actors.

The culmination of their years of study includes a MFA Actor Showcase, to be presented to invited industry professionals and guests in New York City. There will be two performances of the showcase at the Roy Arias 777 Theatre in New York on April 30, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Talent agents and managers, casting directors and artistic directors of theater companies, as well as WVU alumni and other guests are invited to attend.

“The MFA Actor Showcase is the culmination of three years of hard work for our graduate students,” said Acting and Directing professor Jerry McGonigle. “They have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and this is their first chance to show off what they have learned.

WVU MFA Acting students are required to take a variety of classes in acting, voice and speech and movement. They explore a variety of genres, methods and playwrights and broach a broad-base of subject matter through performance including race, gender issues and domestic violence.

The location, booking of space, selection of material, marketing, invitations and all other aspects of production for the showcase are handled by the students themselves.

“The MFA Showcase allows our graduate students to understand how much work goes into presenting themselves,” McGonigle said. “They manage every detail of the event and the leads and contacts they make during it will be their gauge of success.”

The MFA Acting Class of 2018 includes: Joseph Bussey, Cassandra Noel Hackbart, Madeline Hintz, Joseph Michael-Kenneth, Rick Mugrage, Emana Rachelle, Lonnie Simmons and Andra Ward, Jr.

Each student will participate in two contemporary scenes or song selections representing their individual and marketable range. The scenes were selected by the students and workshopped with approval by the graduate acting program faculty.

Receptions will be held after each showcase performance for invited industry guests to meet the graduate actors, as well as providing an opportunity for WVU alumni to connect with the current students and reconnect with old friends, faculty and colleagues.

“The showcase not only highlights our students, but the WVU School of Theatre and Dance and the Mountain State,” McGonigle said. “As the only school in West Virginia that provides our students an opportunity to showcase their talents in New York, we’re representing the entire state.”

For photos and full resumes for each of the MFA students performing in the showcase, and further details about the event, please visit http://mfashowcase.wvu.edu/