Esau Pritchett, Oakland alumni from the class of 1998, will receive the MaTilDa Award for Alumni Achievement in Theater.

Pritchett said he initially was a physical therapy major, but he’d seen several of the theater department plays, which sparked an interest. After being informed auditions were coming up for “Twelfth Night,” directed by Michael Gillespie, Pritchett decided to try out but didn’t expect to be cast.

“It was a Shakespearean play, I’d never done anything like it before and I was absolutely positive I wouldn’t be cast,” Pritchett said. “Low and behold, they made me the lead of it.”

At first Pritchett felt terrified. Gillespie pulled him aside and assured him that he wouldn’t let him on stage if he was uncomfortable and began working with him on acting fundamentals.

“I always felt like it was such a good thing I got my training from OU,” Pritchett said.

After playing lead in Arthur Miller’s production of “All My Sons,” Pritchett switched majors.

After graduation, he moved to New York and began auditioning for roles. He has since done television, film and theater.

Recently Pritchett took on his most challenging role to date where he played Troy Maxson in “Fences.”

“He was a very wordy character,” Pritchett said. “It was an extremely challenging role for me. At this point in my career, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Oakland took notice of his work and dedication in his role in “Fences.”

“He had always been on the list of an alum we were planning to honor with the MaTilDa but we were waiting for something big,” Kerro Knox, associate professor of theater, said. “When he got cast in ‘Fences’ in two of the major theaters in the country, we decided this was the year to honor him.”

Pritchett and other recipients will be honored at the MaTilDa Awards on Sunday, April 13.

Pritchett will be in Florida where he is currently working on Julius Caesar and will not be able to attend the event. However, he is very excited about the recognition.

“I’m really humbled and surprised, it’s a great honor,” Pritchett said. “We had so many people on our staff that were so passionate about what they do and it was passed onto me. I’m lucky to be a person that is excited about their job.”

Esau Pritchett Oakland alumni from the class of 1998 will be receiving the Matilda Award for Alumni Achievement in Theater.

Pritchett initially had a physical therapy major, but he’d seen several of the theater department plays which began to spark an interest. After being informed auditions were coming up for “Twelfth Night,” directed by Michael Gillespie, Pritchett decided to try out but didn’t expect to be cast.

“It was a Shakespearean play, I’d never done anything like it before I was absolutely positive I wouldn’t be cast,” Pritchett said. “Low and behold, they made me the lead of it.”

Initially Pritchett felt terrified. Gillespie pulled him aside and assured him that he wouldn’t let him on stage if he was uncomfortable and began working with him on the fundamentals of acting.

“I always felt like it was such a good thing I got my training from OU,” Pritchett said. “I was able to do my training on stage.”

After playing lead in Arthur Miller’s production of “All My Sons,” Pritchett switched majors.

Once he graduated from OU he moved to New York and began auditioning for roles. He has done television, film and theater.

Recently, Pritchett took on his most challenging role to date where he played Troy Maxson in “Fences.”

“He was a very wordy character,” Pritchett said. “It was an extremely challenging role for me. At this point in my career, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Oakland took notice of his work and dedication in his role in “Fences.”

“He had always been on the list of an alum we were planning to honor with the Matilda but we were waiting for something big,” Kerro Knox, associate professor of theater said. “When he got cast in “Fences” in two of the major theaters in the country we decided this was the year to honor him.”

Pritchett and other recipients will be honored at the Matilda Awards on Sunday, April 13. Unfortunately, Pritchett will be in Florida where he is currently working on Julius Caesar and will not be able to attend the event. However, he is very excited about the recognition.

“I’m really humbled and surprised, it’s a great honor,” Pritchett said. “We had so many people on our staff that were so passionate about what they do and it was passed onto me. I’m lucky to be a person that is excited about their job.”