For immediate release
Aug. 9, 2002

Students, performances and productions from Abilene Christian University received nine nominations and won three overall awards in the Abilene Reporter-News Abbie Awards announced Sunday.

The Abbie Awards are given for the best in local college and community theater, selected by Abilene Reporter-News entertainment reporter Brien Murphy, who attended all 30 plays performed by collegiate and community groups this season.

ACU took the top honor in the following categories:

• Lead Actress – Kelly Haseltine for her performance as Morgan in "Arthur: The Hunt." Murphy said Haseltine "stood out here in a role that demanded emotions ranging from giddy happiness to despair."
• Supporting Actor – Eric Harrell, associate professor of theatre, for his performance as Rick Steadman in “"The Nerd." Murphy said, "Harrell made us feel a little sorry for the nasally, socially inept bore."
• Lead Actress, musical – Kate Eason, senior theatre major from Abilene, for her performance as Miss Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls." Murphy said, "…her show-stopping comic turn in this musical was a revelation."

Other ACU students receiving nominations included Nathan Jerkins, Eli Browning, Amanda McGee, Allison Organ, Ryan Crowder, Ben Jeffrey and Amy Miller. The ACU production of "Guys and Dolls" was also nominated for Play of the Year.

See the Abilene Reporter-News story.

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