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April 5, 2013 — The company of the Allegheny College Playshop Theatre’s original production “Playing Dirty” has won two national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).

The company won for both Distinguished Production of a Devised Work and for Distinguished Performance and Production Ensembles.

“Playing Dirty” was one of only eight plays chosen for performance — from 60 entries — during the KCACTF Region II Festival at Towson University in Maryland in January.

The play was created with Professor of Theatre Beth Watkins, Meadville puppeteer Brian Thummler and a company of Allegheny students who spent several months developing material on the historical, scientific and sociological connotations of dirt.

It was first presented this fall as the opening performance of the Playshop Theatre’s 83rd season.

“Playing Dirty” has several original songs by Philadelphia-based composer Bob Michel. The music helps to tell the various stories of how dirt shapes the world we live in, including personal hygiene, cultural taboos and the language we use.

Company members include Tito Aderemi-Ibitola, Blair Hartman, Annie Maglione, Lee Scandinaro and Kevin Van Develde. Dan Winston served as the musical director, Lee Ann Adelsheim as the stage manager, Uriel Gomez as the costume designer and Michael Mehler as the lighting designer.

Photo: Allegheny students Annie Maglione and Blair Hartman in “Playing Dirty.” Photo by Bill Owen.