For immediate release
June 12, 2010

WAKEFIELD - The Contemporary Theater Company is pleased to award $250 scholarships to two Narragansett residents who demonstrate a passion for the arts and outstanding academic achievement.

The company awarded its first-ever scholarships to Alison Donnelly, a student at Narragansett High School, and Joanne Wilkens, a student at The Prout School. The nonprofit theater company created the merit-based scholarships to reward area high school students who held previous involvement in the arts and showed a desire to incorporate the arts as part of their lives.

"I have attended 54 board meetings but the meeting to choose the scholarship winner proved the most challenging ever because we received so many outstanding candidates," said Chris Barrett, treasurer of the company. "These two applicants went above-and-beyond and clearly embody the importance of arts in society."

The Contemporary Theater Company initially planned to award a single $250 scholarship. The board of directors agreed to award two after reviewing the applications. Two board members stepped forward with donations to pay for the additional scholarship.

Donnelly, 17, has been a staple on the local theater circuit for many years and carries an outstanding report card. She plans to attend American University and major in theater.

Wilkens, 18, is a frequent face at theater productions throughout South County and hopes to one day own her own theater company. She plans to attend Syracuse University and major in musical theater.

The Contemporary Theater Company plans to continue the scholarship as an annual tradition.

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