FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington was recently  awarded a Moss Hart Memorial Award by the New England Theatre Conference — New England’s oldest and largest regional theater association — for its March 2012 Theater UMF production of Bruce Graham’s “Coyote on a Fence”. 

The UMF production was awarded an honorable mention in the award’s College and University Theatre Division. This is one of only two prestigious Moss Hart Memorial Awards awarded to New England college theater productions this year. 

“This is a great honor for our students and our theater program,” said Jayne Decker, director of “Coyote on a Fence” and UMF faculty member. “One goal of the UMF theater program is to give our students an opportunity for exceptional performance work and professional growth. And the students really rose to that challenge with this production.” 

Graham’s play is a text used in Decker’s Social and Political Theater course, and one her students have always wanted the chance to perform, according to Decker. 

A compelling drama set in a southern prison, “Coyote on a Fence” explores complex questions about today’s society and how it measures guilt and innocence. 

The UMF production included stellar performances by an ensemble student cast including Zachary Fowler, of Presque Isle; Austin Hayes, of Gorham; Jade Wells, of Pittsfield; and Jared Boghosian, of Belgrade. Stanley Spilecki, resident scenic and lighting designer, led the technical team in transforming Alumni Theater into a gritty prison experience. 

Elizabeth Dorr, UMF faculty member, added to the overall effect with precise period costume design, while Drew McLain, UMF senior from Farmington majoring in music and theater arts, worked in sound design to help create the choreographed chaos of prison life.

“It was a remarkable experience to watch the change in the audience as they entered the theater,” Decker said. “In a moment, they went from the everyday world to the stark environment of a southern prison created by the cast and crew. That’s the moment when you know you’re part of something very special.”

Annual Moss Hart Memorial Awards are presented at The New England Theatre Conference Annual Convention. Their goal is to recognize and encourage outstanding theatrical productions throughout New England of playscripts that present affirmative views of human courage and dignity, that have strong literary and artistic merit and which, in their productions, exemplify fresh, imaginative and creative treatment within the intent of the playwright.

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