June 15, 2004 :: No. 282

Performing and Visual Arts Students
Making an Impact in Professional Arenas

She’s in the Money — Sophomore Mara Davi, who was last seen on the Cal State Fullerton stage as Cassie in this spring’s “A Chorus Line,” was recently cast in the national touring company of “42nd Street” in the lead role of Peggy Sawyer. Davi, originally from Folsom, and the production are in Kentucky next week — following rehearsals in New York — for final technical rehearsals and previews before heading to Japan July 1 for five weeks of shows. After a two-month break, cast and crew will embark on a 62-city tour of the United States that culminates next June.

He’s Among the Tops in Movie Marketing Competition — Recent B.F.A. in art graduate and Cypress resident Long “Charlie” Le captured third-place honors for his one-sheet (poster) in the student competition of the Hollywood Reporter’s 33rd annual Key Art Awards — which celebrates achievements in motion picture marketing and advertising. Le was presented his award, including $1,000, by Academy Award-winning director Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) and Rob Friedman, vice chairman of the Paramount Pictures motion picture group. Students created their posters or trailers for either “Chicago” (Le’s choice) or “The Hours.” The competition received almost 400 submissions from more than 30 colleges and design schools in California and New York. The Key Art Awards were launched in 1972 to honor the accomplishments of art directors, designers, illustrators, photographers and copywriters responsible for developing the art used in motion picture marketing and promotion.

Media Contact: Gail Matsunaga, Public Affairs, 657-278-4851 or gmatsunaga@fullerton.edu