Grace Novak, a senior theatre performance major at Northern Arizona University, has been nominated for a 2017 Emerging Artist Viola Award.
Novak “has distinguished herself over the last four years as an actor” notes the nomination. Viola Awards reward and celebrate excellence in the arts and sciences in Flagstaff.
Novak performed in the Department of Theatre productions of “Forgotten Places,” “The House of Bernarda Alba,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Quilters” and “Shakespeare Alive.”She recently had the lead role as Alma in Tennessee William’s “Summer and Smoke,” directed by Christina Gutierrez-Dennehy, a theatre lecturer. Novak is a member of NAU’s Lazzi Posse, Commedia dell’Arte Improvisational troupe.
“I chose NAU knowing I would get the chance to truly act, but what I did not know is the theatre department would help me discover what it means to truly be human,” Novak says. “NAU has taught me and inspired me to face my fears, my insecurities and my dreams.”
Novak, president of Alpha Psi Omega, plans to graduate this spring and continue her training at an acting conservatory or graduate school.
“With every production I am in, I become more and more in love with theatre,” she says.