Published on June 4, 2014 by Philip Poole  

Jocelyn Lonquist, a recent Samford University graduate, has been accepted for the resident acting company with the Charleston (S.C.) Stage Company. She is the first Samford graduate to be accepted by this prestigious organization.

Lonquist will be in residence with the Charleston company from July through May 2015. She will act in seven of their nine productions and be assistant director for one show. Her first role will be as Inga in the production of Mel Brooks' "Young Frankenstein."

Lonquist also will teach in the Charleston Stage Theatre School for youth, which she says she "especially is looking forward" to doing.

"I think Charleston Stage will be an exciting time for new growth and lots of fun," Lonquist said. "I am so grateful for the tools that Samford has given me to go out into this world."

Marybeth Clark, the company's associate artistic director, said she was "excited to work with a Samford graduate" for the first time and "looks forward to making new connections" with the university.

Lonquist received her bachelor of fine arts degree in May. She was active with Samford Theatre as an undergraduate.

"Jocelyn is an example of the professional-minded, ambitious students Samford theatre and dance seeks to graduate," said department chair Don Sandley. "Anytime a student steps out of our program into a fine professional theatre company we are proud. This breaks new ground for us, and we are particularly excited that a graduate like Jocelyn will represent us. Charleston Stage Company will enjoy the talents of one of our very best and brightest."

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.