The Update | The Federal Restaurant Gets Holiday Makeover; Kent-Trumbull Campus Revives Theater Fest

YOUNGSTOWN – For the second year in a row, The Federal restaurant has reinvented itself for the Christmas season, renaming itself Miracle on Federal.

The eatery and bar at 110 W. Federal St., downtown, will sport the festive atmosphere and name through Dec. 31. It started the practice last year.

With bright and shiny gift boxes hanging from the ceiling, Christmas trees and lights, and other ornamentation literally everywhere you can imagine, the dining room and bar is a wellspring of holiday cheer.

A special menu of entrees and drinks for the season has been created. It features dishes such as Southern cola glazed ham, cold water salmon, pork ribeye, chicken Caprese Milanese, strip steak and a vegan Bolognese, as well as sandwiches, salads, appetizers and desserts.

The restaurant opens daily at 4 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended. Call 330 744 7683.

Young Playwrights Festival Returns

WARREN, Ohio – Kent State University at Trumbull’s theater program hopes to discover the next generation of great playwrights, actors, and theatrical technicians. The Young Playwrights Festival has been revived for 2023.

Eric S. Kildow, professor and theater director at the campus, said he hopes to encourage them to take advantage of scholarship opportunities.

High school juniors or seniors in the region are invited to compete the Young Playwrights Festival in the spring. Participating students will submit a 15- to 20-minute script that theater professionals and faculty will judge. The top five or six students will produce their plays for local audiences at Kent Trumbull Theatre on April 21-23 and April 28-30. The deadline for consideration is Feb. 1. For competition rules, as well as more information, visit kent.edu/trumbull/theatre.

Students who want to continue studying theater and earn a bachelor of arts degree in theater studies at Kent State Trumbull can compete for scholarships. High school juniors and seniors may submit their application for consideration in any one of three pathways. For the acting pathway, students will submit an audition video of two contrasting monologues. For the playwriting pathway, students will submit a 15- to 20-minute script (scripts submitted for the Young Playwrights Festival can be counted for this requirement). For the technical theater pathway, students will present a technical portfolio detailing their work in the theater. Up to six $2,000 renewable scholarships will be offered.

IATSE Union Approves Labor Agreement

YOUNGSTOWN – The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) union Local 101 has approved a labor agreement with Forty Two Inc. that provides union members with employment setting up entertainment events produced by the Youngstown-based company.

The union members approved the contract by unanimous vote with over 65% of the bargaining unit in attendance, said Jeffrey Hall, president.

Tony Ferrello, CEO of Forty Two Inc., was eager to see the contract through. “Live events were the first to shut down at the beginning of the pandemic. Thousands of live entertainment and events industry professionals were laid off. More than ever, our clients depend on the skillset of the union stagehands to build shows safely and efficiently.”

Friendly Squares to Host Christmas Dance

NILES – The Friendly Squares will host its Christmas dance Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Niles SCOPE Center, 14 E. State St. Square dancing will begin at 7:30 p.m. and continue until 10 p.m. Gene Hammond and Neil Harner will be the callers and Frankie Hammond will be cuing the line dances. This will be a High/Low dance with alternating tips for new dancers currently taking lessons and tips for more experienced dancers. Dress is casual. There is a $7 donation per person at the door. For information, call Gene Hammond at 330 506 3370.

Pictured at top: Darby Allen, hostess at Miracle on Federal, stands amid the restaurant’s holiday décor.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.