Alumni Profile
Leon Contavesprie (Masters of Fine Arts, 2003)
The Pillowman (Photo courtesy of Michal Katurian Productions)
Leon Contavesprie (pictured, seated on the floor) recently earned Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for The Pillowman by the 20th Annual Big Easy Entertainment Awards (held March 24, 2008) at Harrah’s Casino Theatre. DEM Boys Productions and Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré in New Orleans produced the play.
Each year, the Big Easy Entertainment Awards honor the best of theatre and music in New Orleans. Distinguished artists in the city, including writers, actors, producers, musicians and critics, select the winners.
Contavesprie has performed in regional theatres across the Midwest and East Coast, including Long Wharf Theatre, Mill Mountain Theatre, Highland Rep, New Horizons, Roxy Regional Theatre and New Stage Theatre. He was most recently seen in The Pillowman at Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré and the world premiere of Eric Coble's For Better at Southern Rep Theatre in New Orleans. His credits include Fat Pig, Dinner with Friends, 'ART', Noises Off, The Santaland Diaries, Of Mice and Men and others. He is a founding member of Golden Eagle Theatre Company, who will present the comedy Private Eyes this July as part of the Southern Rep City Series and again in September in Hattiesburg as a fundraiser for the Southern Miss Department of Theatre and Dance.
He received an MFA in performance from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2003.
Dr. Michael DeArmey, professor of philosophy and religion at the University of Southern Mississippi, was named the Charles W. Moorman Distinguished Alumni Professor in the Humanities by the College of Arts and Letters.
Leon Contavesprie recently earned Best Supporting Actor in a Drama for The Pillowman by the 20th Annual Big Easy Entertainment Awards (held March 24, 2008) at Harrah’s Casino Theatre.