136
Rivet St., New Bedford, MA 02744-1814
Telephone: 508 993 0772
Fax: 508 993 1396
For information
contact:
Roger H. Allen, Publicity Manager
E-mail: ytinews@comcast.net
For Immediate Release
FAIRHAVEN YOUTH
WINS DRAMA GROUP
SCHOLARSHIP
NEW BEDFORD, MA - - - A 2005 Fairhaven High School graduate has won the Mary A. Smith Memorial Scholarship offered by Your Theatre, Inc., which Ms Smith founded in 1946.
William Levasseur, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. James R. Levasseur, plans to attend De Sales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, as a musical theatre major next fall.
“I am very grateful to Your Theatre for supporting my goal of pursuing a career in the theatre arts world,” William said when the award was announced jointly by Lawrence R. Houbre Jr., president of YTI’s Governing Board, and Lucy Bly, scholarship committee chairperson.
In addition to the Your Theatre award, William has won scholarships from the Loyal Order of Moose New Bedford Lodge 914, the American Canadian Association, the Fairhaven Mother’s Club, and the East Fairhaven Parent Teacher’s Organization. He also received the Lue Letton/Wendy Andrews Scholarship from the Fairhaven Music Association.
As a member of Fairhaven High School’s Drama Club, William studied acting with Kathleen Goes. For nine years, he studied dance under the direction of Shirley Kayne at the New Bedford Ballet. He studied trombone under Brian Young, and as a singer was selected for Southeastern Massachusetts District Chorus for four consecutive years.
William also was a member of the Fairhaven High School French Club, mixed chorus, concert choir, and band. He also is a eucharistic minister and lector at St. Mary’s Church in Fairhaven.
Now in its 59th season, Your Theatre, Inc. was rated the favorite 2005 community theatre organization in Southeastern Massachusetts in a poll conducted by The New Bedford Standard-Times. The poll, which asked the newspaper’s reader’s to choose their preferred businesses and service providers in a variety of categories, drew more than 4,000 responses.
Founded in 1946, YTI is incorporated as a non-profit community theatre which seeks to enhance the cultural life of New Bedford, Southeastern Massachusetts, and nearby communities through the study and regular presentation of dramatic productions and other programs of high quality and professional standards.
The company also develops and encourages artistic talent
through the establishment and operation of workshops, theatre productions and other
dramatic training opportunities.