News CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program Graduate Elizabeth A. Davis Nominated for Tony® Award
Posted May 1, 2012 in Press Releases
CLEVELAND, OH (May 1, 2012) – Elizabeth A. Davis, a 2006 graduate of the Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House MFA Acting Program, received a Tony® Award nomination for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Once, based on an Oscar®-winning independent film. Once led the pack inTony® Award nominations announced today with a total of 11 nominations, including Best Musical. Since 1996, Cleveland Play House (CPH) has partnered with Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) to offer a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Acting. In In 2003, the MFA classes and ensemble moved from the university to the CPH facilities to advance the connection between training and the professional theatre. This is the first Tony® Award nomination for a graduate of the MFA Acting Program. Davis provides a testimonial to the program in recent recruiting efforts by saying, “My Broadway debut is what my CWRU/CPH MFA is enabling me to do.” The winner of the Tony® Awards will be announced on June 10, 2012.
“All of us at the College of Arts and Sciences are thrilled for Elizabeth’s success. Having seen her moving performances on several occasions, I can say that it is no surprise that her talent has brought her acclaim so early in her career,” says Dean Cyrus C. Taylor. “Elizabeth has been generous with her time in supporting the current students in the MFA Acting Program, and I’m extremely proud that she received her theatrical training as part of our partnership with Cleveland Play House.”
“We at CPH are so proud of Elizabeth,” declares CPH Artistic Director Michael Bloom. “Her talent and character are indicative of the kind of actor the CWRU/CPH MFA strives to produce. Elizabeth’s success is yet another indication of the success of remarkable partnership with CWRU.”
“We are extremely proud of Elizabeth and her accomplishments,” states Ron Wilson, director of the CWRU/CPH MFA Acting Program and chair of CWRU’s Department of Theater. “She has more than fulfilled our expectations.”
In 2011, CPH began performing in three state-of-the-art performance facilities at PlayhouseSquare, the largest performing arts center outside of New York City. The MFA Acting Program also occupies expansive rehearsal and class space along the CPH administrative offices adjacent to the theatres.
