PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND (October 18, 2018) – After weeks of anticipation amid speculation by local media watchers, WSBE Rhode Island PBS President David W. Piccerelli today announced the host for the second season of High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island® will be Joseph Short of Boston, Massachusetts, and Providence, Rhode Island.
A professional actor, teacher, and production artist, Joe Short has performed in numerous theaters in Boston, New York, and Washington DC. Locally, he has performed at Trinity Repertory Company, the Sandra Feinstein Gamm Theater, and the Wilbury Theatre Group in Rhode Island.
Mr. Short returns to Providence on November 10 to host the two-day single-elimination tournament that will crown one champion among the eight highest-scoring high school teams who will emerge after the qualifying quiz known as “Super Sunday” on October 21.
“We are happy to feature Joe’s talent and energy as host for our second season,” said Mr. Piccerelli. “He has a vibrant stage presence, and we look forward to the excitement and enthusiasm he will generate among the students and audience.”
Mr. Short was a founding artistic associate of Bridge Rep of Boston and an early member of Providence’s The Wilbury Theatre Group. He has taught acting at area universities, and has been an adjunct instructor of acting, voice, and movement at the University of Rhode Island since 2010. His interest in the technical craft of theater includes his work as the production technician for the Theatre, Dance, and Media concentration at Harvard University, and as production manager of the Gloucester Stage Company since 2013. Mr. Short earned his B.F.A. at the University of Rhode Island, and is an M.F.A. graduate of the Brown University/Trinity Rep Consortium.
“I am very excited to be joining the team for High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island, and the larger Rhode Island PBS family,” Mr. Short said. “PBS has been, and continues to be, a staple in my own daily life. Like so many others who value thoughtful and engaging media content in an increasingly noisy world, I find myself starting sentences with, ‘I saw this thing on PBS and…’ often enough! Now with this new opportunity, I will contribute directly to the creation of smart and positive content for PBS fans, and hopefully attract new watchers along the way. High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island is going to be a blast and I can't wait to get started,” he said.
Mr. Short added that the best part of preparing for this new role has been going back and watching as many episodes as he could to learn the game. “I loved playing along while I was essentially doing 'homework.' But some of these questions do get tough, and then it's exciting to see some really bright high schoolers from our state step up and nail them out of the park!”
He notes the teams of students who compete on the show exhibit exceptional skill, and the fact that they get to spar with other students at a high level of preparation was impressive. “In my work with students at URI and at Harvard, I love any opportunity to engage with young adults in a way that challenges their minds and creates opportunities for growth,” Mr. Short said. “It's fun to see 'the light bulb come on,' you know? And that is happening constantly in a game of High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island.”
The eight teams to qualify on ‘Super Sunday’ for season two of High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island will be announced next week. The quarterfinals will be played on Saturday, November 10, with the winners advancing to the semifinals and championship matches played on Sunday, November 11. The seven matches will be taped as they are played over two days, and broadcast over seven weeks in March 2019 on Rhode Island PBS.
Visit ripbs.org for game rules, season one episodes, and other relevant information about High School Quiz Show: Rhode Island. The site also has information about sponsorship opportunities to support production of the series. Follow the series on social media: Twitter - HSQuizShowRI; on Instagram - hsquizshowri; and Facebook - HighSchoolQuizShowRI. High School Quiz Show®, the High School Quiz Show logo and its related indicia are trademarks of WGBH Educational Foundation, used under license.
