Petrucka wins TxETA award for original 10-minute play

Linda Shaddix and Zachary Strawbridge performing the award-winning play Number 42 on the Whatley Center stage in April.

Pictured: Linda Shaddix and Zachary Strawbridge performing the award-winning play Number 42 on the Whatley Center stage in April.
 

Northeast Texas Community College’s Dr. Page Petrucka was recently honored by the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TxETA) for her original 10-minute play called Number 42. She received the award at the group’s annual Playfest event in Galveston this September. 

This is the second year in a row that one of Petrucka’s plays has won in the 10-Minute Play category. Number 42 was performed at NTCC this past April as one of the features in the theatre department’s Night of Shorts production. It was also performed at Paris Junior College during their Playfest in April.

In Number 42, we see two strangers meet on a hiking trail. One is petrified of heights and the other has her own struggles she is working through. The end result is a display of kindness from each right before they part ways. It’s a feel-good play that touches on difficult things with light humor and warmth. 

“We are so proud of Page for her accomplishments. Not only is she a phenomenal leader of our theatre program, but she is also setting an example for our students by writing, publishing and producing her own original work. Number 42 is beautifully written and conveys so much emotion and meaning in a very short time,” Anna Ingram, NTCC Associate Vice President for Instruction, said.

Petrucka received the award at the TxETA annual conference, which brings educators and students from around the state together to celebrate theatre in all facets. There are workshops, performances, keynote speakers, and exhibits, all centered around theatre both in secondary schools and colleges/universities. 

The NTCC Theatre department is currently working on their next production of Almost, Maine. It will be performed December 1-3 in the Whatley Center. To learn more about upcoming shows or about taking theatre classes at NTCC, visit www.ntcc.edu/theatre.