Travis Curtright Honored with 2nd Laub-Novak Award
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Published on Thursday, 17 April 2014 14:04
Opening night of Ave Maria University's popular Shakespeare in Performance season was even more special Wednesday with the presentation of the 2nd Laub-Novak award for excellence in teaching to the program's founder and director, Travis Curtright.
Noted author and theologian Michael Novak, who presented the award, said Dr. Curtright "inspires and directs his student actors to brilliant heights," and called him "brilliant in producing and directing -- a master in teaching diction, poetic rhythym, wit and onstage movements." Pictured: Dr. Curtright (center) and his wife, Mary, at the presentation by Mr. Novak. (photo by Tim Moore)
The Laub-Novak award is a private initiative of Mr. Novak to honor excellence in teaching in the arts and humanities. It is named for Mr. Novak's late wife, the artist Karen Laub-Novak. Mr. Novak plans three awards this year. The first recipient was literature professor Michael Raiger and a third will be named later.
Following the presentation, Dr. Curtright's Shakespeare players did not disappoint the sold-out opening night audience, delighting all attending with the troupe's signature mix of humor, whimsy, music and accomplished acting in What You Will (also known as 12th Night).
There are six more performances next week. Tickets are free, but are in high demand and can be requested by emailing
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For more on the performance and the Shakespeare in Performance program, click here to see the column Shakespeare Performers Set to Grow from One Stage to Another in the Naples Daily News Collier Citizen by Ave Herald Editor Patricia Sette.
How much do Travis and Mary Curtright love Shakespeare? They named their five children after characters in Shakespeare plays. In the picture with the parents are: Sebastian, 11 (Twelfth Night/What You Will); Malcolm, 8 (Macbeth); Henry, 6 (Henry V); Marina, 12 (Pericles); and with a volume of Shakespeare's works before her, Rosalind, 2 (As You Like It).