Those being inducted by the Blue Masque include Karl Hales, long time Catawba College speech and communications professor; Kannan Menon, New York based actor, director and playwright; Patrick Orndorff, professional resident theatre production manager; and Jasika Nicole, television, stage and film actress.
| Dr. Karl Hales |
Kannan Menon ’74 |
Patrick Orndorff ’87 |
Jasika Nicole Pruitt ’02 |
Karl Hales has acted locally in thirty stage productions, while directing twenty-seven more. He also served as the emcee of the Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Awards Ceremony for twenty-eight years. And, football fans know Hales as the public address announcer at Catawba College since 1980.
Kannan Menon earned the B.A. degree in theatre from Catawba College in 1974 and the M.F.A. in theatre directing from Tisch School of the Arts in New York City. Currently an attorney working with a small New York investment banking firm, Menon has professional theatre credits in both America and abroad.
Patrick Orndorff is currently the production manager for the Resident Ensemble Players at the University of Delaware. Prior to that, he was technical director for the Alley Theatre in Houston. Orndorff received the B.A. degree in theatre from Catawba College in 1987 and has worked in professional theatre ever since.
Jasika Nicole is a 2002 Catawba College theatre graduate. Nicole is best known for her role as agent Astrid Farnsworth in the hit Fox sci-fi series Fringe. She has additional professional credits on the New York stage and in film. Nicole also writes, is an illustrator, and lends her voice to several popular animated shows.
Hales, Menon, Orndorff, and Nicole will be inducted into Catawba's Blue Masque Theatre Hall of Fame at 8 pm on Friday, October 28 in Hedrick Little Theatre, located within the College Community Center. This ceremony is open to the public. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased through the Catawba College alumni office.
At 7:30 pm, immediately preceding the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, current and former Catawba College theatre arts students will present a talent showcase. Admission includes the showcase, induction ceremony and a reception following.
