Rex Rabold Fellowship
Congratulations Anthony Kirby!
Rex Rabold Fellow 2024
The Department of Theatre is very proud to announce that the recipient of this year’s Rex Rabold Fellowship will be awarded to 2022 BFA alumnus Anthony Kirby, who recently starred in Idaho Repertory Theatre’s production of “Love and Baseball.”
"When I visited Ashland a couple years ago, I fell in love with the town and knew immediately that I wanted to work at the festival someday,” Kirby said. “So, to have this opportunity through the fellowship is unreal. I'm so stoked to see and be a part of some amazing theatre, and to work with and learn from the incredible artists at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival."
Kirby’s Professor Kelly Quinnett, Head of Acting at the Department of Theatre Arts, said the Fellowship offers a great way for Vandal Theatre alumni to step into the working world.
“This professional opportunity and connection to such an incredible resource of artists not only enhances the creative community at UIDAHO Theatre department but provides a bridge to the professional world at one of the nation’s incredible and longest running Shakespeare festival,” Quinnett said.
About the Fellowship
The U of I Department of Theatre Arts offers an exclusive connection with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival through the Rex Rabold Fellowship.
Rabold graduated from the University of Idaho with a Master of Arts in 1976. In his nine seasons with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he touched thousands of lives through his performances, his creative achievements as a teacher and his generosity of heart. Rabold died at the age of 39 in 1990.
To honor his memory, OSF established a unique fellowship with the University of Idaho. Each year, one U of I graduate is selected by audition to perform with the prestigious theatre company. The fellowship recipient receives an acting stipend and housing for one year, and many are invited to return to the company for two or three years following their award.
In addition to his seasons with OSF, Rabold's theatre credits include work with repertory theatres in Milwaukee, Portland, San Diego and Seattle. He was also artist-in-residence for the National Endowment for the Humanities, Folger Shakespeare Library exhibit and the Pioneer Theatre Company in Utah.
Rabold Audition Information: B.F.A./M.F.A. in Performance Only
Rabold auditions are held each spring.
Eligibility
Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts performance candidates retain eligibility for the Rex Rabold Fellowship for a full year after graduation. This will provide two years of eligibility for each candidate.
In-person auditions are preferred, though students — depending on schedule — may opt for a video audition their second year of eligibility.
All eligible candidates must submit a link of their work prior to the auditions to Kelly Quinnett. Links must lead to an appropriate website or private YouTube site that include two contrasting monologues and a song.
Evidence of continued professional development/training outside of Moscow, post-graduation, is strongly encouraged.
Rabold Recipients
- Whitney Holland, 2020
- Lilia Houshman, 2019
- Dan Poppen, 2018
- Vinecia Coleman, 2017
- Jeremy Gallardo, 2016
- Kristin Glaeser, 2015
- Jeremy Thompson, 2014
- Katie Medford, 2013
- Brittany Brook, 2012
- Mandie Jenson, 2011
- Kimbre Lancaster, 2010
- Ian McNeely, 2009
- Trevor Hill, 2008
- Daniel Haley, 2007
- John O'Hagan, 2006
- Mark Peterson, 2005
- Jeff Davis, 2004
- Sarah Rutan, 2003
- Stan Brown, 2002
- Kalafatic Poole, 2001
- Andrew Carey, 2000
- Jeff Pierce, 1999
- Carolyn Hitt, 1998
- Paul Erwin, 1997
- Carey Gibbar, 1996
- Jesse Petrick, 1995
- Chas Allen, 1994
- Michael Behrens, 1993