Kean conservatory Theatre student presented with Rising Star Award

By Craig Epstein | Published by March 20, 2020

Set to graduate in May, Kean University student Rosemarie Manzo is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts as a Theatre Performance major. Serving as the President of the Kean Theatre council since 2019, Manzo has a passion for theatre and performance that has followed her since she was in elementary school. 

“I love theatre as a collaborative form. I love that there are so many aspects that need to come together to create a successful piece of theatre,” Manzo said. “Theatre is an escape; the actors, designers, technicians, and even audience members come together for a few hours for an escape from reality, to feel something else, and to live their lives through other characters.” 

Back on Jan. 12, IlluminArt Productions held an event commemorating their tenth anniversary where Manzo was presented with the Rising Star Award. 

“I was incredibly shocked and grateful to receive the Rising Star Award,” Manzo said. “I have volunteered my time and talent to Illuminart Productions since my sophomore year of high school and I felt recognized for my talents and hard work. 

Based out of Staten Island, IlluminArt Productions is an organization that was co-founded by President/CEO, Producer Arlene Sorkin and Producing Artistic Director Emeritus Patty Ceresnie in 2002 and gained non-profit status in 2005. 

“IlluminArt’s goals are to increase the numbers of schools where we can fill a need for theatre programming and to write and present more original work on important social issues,” its website states. 

As an aspiring theatre student, Manzo is thankful for the opportunities that IlluminArt Productions has provided for her. Along with receiving the Rising Star Award, she has also written two original plays and performed in seven Empowering Voices concerts with the organization. 

“Illuminart Productions empowers students to utilize theatre as a tool to write and perform plays that spotlight critical social issues, thereby creating a conversation for positive change,” Manzo explained. “When they came to my high school, it opened up a new door to being able to have a discussion about topics and situations that we as children often don’t know how to express.” 

Manzo has received numerous other accolades that have assisted in her journey in the world of theatre as well, one of which included the NY Borough Arts Festival Outstanding Performing Artist for her role of Paulette in Legally Blonde. 

Manzo has also received a full scholarship to study and train in the summer program at the Circle in the Square Theatre School as well as a full scholarship to the School of Creative and Performing Arts where she was trained in vocal work and on-camera acting. In addition, she received a quarter scholarship to The Broadway Experience Intensive where she trained for two weeks with Broadway actors, choreographers, and directors. She has also worked off-Broadway as an assistant stage manager for the New York Classical Theatre. 

Most recently, Manzo was seen in the Kean Theatre Conservatory’s production of Sunday in the Park with George as “Mrs.” She has also performed in Seussical, Pippin, Parade, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, all produced by the Kean Conservatory. 

Manzo’s goal is to become as well-rounded in the world of theatre as possible. Besides performing, she is also involved in stage management and hopes to explore many other departments in order to gain knowledge in all aspects of the fields as well. 

“I would love to go on a regional or national tour one day,” Manzo said. “I hope to be as successful as I can be with the knowledge and training that I profess now and the training I have yet to learn.” 

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