Lone Star College-Montgomery Theatre Department recognized for “Assassins”

CONROE, TX -- The spotlight shown bright on the Lone Star College-Montgomery Theatre Department who was recognized by the American College Theatre Festival for its production of Assassins. The performance earned multiple commendations for outstanding work by the students and creative team. Assassins is a darkly funny carnival ride through the minds of the men and women who attempted to assassinate American presidents.

“Assassins is one of Stephen Sondheim’s boldest and most unsettling musicals,” said Chase Waites, LSC-Montgomery, professor of Theatre/production director. “Beneath the sharp humor and compelling score is a surprisingly human exploration of ambition, disappointment, isolation, and the desperate need to matter in a country that promises anyone can become somebody.”

The American College Theatre Festival is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country. LSC-Montgomery students Peyton Waites and Garrett Smith were nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The production was also recognized for Meritorious Achievement for Excellence in Outstanding Storytelling, Superior Direction, Lighting Design, Music Direction, Scenic Design, Sound Design, Stage Management, Sound Assistance and Choreography.

“Recognition from the American College Theater Festival is incredibly validating for what we do,” said Waites. “To receive such thoughtful feedback and so many accolades is tremendously meaningful for our students’ education because it tangibly rewards their hard work, growth, and artistic risk-taking.”

One of the biggest challenges facing the students and staff was navigating Sondheim’s incredibly complex score while also finding a compelling way to tell the story of people who, on the surface, seem utterly reprehensible. “The key is not excusing their actions but humanizing them enough for the audience to recognize the loneliness, frustration, humor, and broken ambition underneath the headlines,” said Waites.

Pre-production began in early December, rehearsals taking place in early February. The show opened April 16 and took place in the LSC-Montgomery Campus Performing Arts Center.

“This may very well be the most awarded production our program has ever produced, and I could not be prouder of the work they created together,” said Waites.