The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

The CotoBuzz Journal

Community Journalism, Newsletters and Blogs Covering South Orange County, CA

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March 2007 Issue

We do not make jokes, we simply watch the LA Times, the Orange County Register and the Coto de Caza Board of directors and report the facts!

ACTING SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS NOMINATIONS - SADDLEBACK COLLEGE

February 14, 2007

The Theatre Arts Department at Saddleback College has announced that Theatre Arts students Nakisa Aschtiana, Jon Lavranos and Tyler Nielsen have been nominated to audition for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship at the Kennedy Center

American College Theatre Festival hosted by Southern Utah University on February 13 through February 17, 2007. The Irene Ryan Scholarships provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education.

The Irene Ryan Foundation awards 19 regional awards and two fellowships annually. Sixteen (16) of the awards consist of a $500 scholarship for each regional representative of KCACTF. There are two scholarships of $2,500 each for the winners at the national festival in Washington , D.C. In addition, the student judged the Best Partner in the national auditions is awarded a cash prize of $250.

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships are, indeed, scholarships; so the Foundation disburses the award through a school designated by the winner, to pay tuition and fees for further education, not necessarily limited to Theatre Arts.

Nakisa Aschtiana has been acting for the past ten years. She starred in the Saddleback College Theatre Arts production of A Doll’s House and was honored to bring the role of Nora Helmer to life. Her previous shows include: Deathtrap, Tartuffe, The Tempest, Angels in America , Rumors, Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Bleacher Bums. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University , Fullerton and currently resides in Mission Viejo with her parents and younger brother.

Nakisa Aschtiana in A Doll’s House

Jon Lavranos is a freshman at Saddleback College majoring in Theatre Arts. Jon’s aspirations are to act for the screen and stage and he is planning to transfer into the UCLA theatre program. Jon convincingly played Frenchman Jean-Claude in Saddleback College Theatre Arts production of Museum.

	Tyler Nielsen had a starring role in Museum playing The Guard. He is a Theatre Arts major at Saddleback College and graduates following this semester. His aspirations are to transfer to a four-year college and continue as a theatre major. His ultimate goal is to be a stand-up comedian. In fact, he has experience in improv having performed for the Brea Improv, a professional improv group in
Jon Lavranos and Tyler Nielsen (L to R) in Museum

Anaheim and on the House Improv Team at Westside Eclectic in Santa Monica . His past stage work includes: You Better Watch Out, and You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown.

The Theatre Arts Department serves as an educational base, a vocational training ground and an artistic resource for the community. By combining production excellence with academic achievement, the Department fulfills its role as a leader in the performing arts in Orange County . Each year the Department presents a dynamic and diverse environment of innovation which combines high artistic standards with public appeal, and which challenges and expands the talents of students both on stage and behind the scenes.