Released: January 30, 2012
Lincoln, Neb. - Students and staff from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film received awards at the 2012 Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Region V encompasses theatre programs from North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska.
Forty students from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film attended the Festival at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, from January 16 through January 21, 2012. Assistant Professor of Practice, Carrie Lee Patterson and Production Manager Brad Buffum coordinated the students' travel, housing and participation throughout the week-long Festival. Students participated in a number of activities, including acting competitions and workshops, design and technology portfolio reviews and workshops and interacted with approximately 1300 of their peers throughout the week.
A number of students and staff members from the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film received recognition for their creative work.
Nicole Kelly (undergraduate directing and management student) was the regional recipient of the National Stage Management Fellowship: Region V. She will participate in the national festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. April 16-21, 2012.
Each of the eight KCACTF regions select one Stage Manager to be awarded a fellowship to attend the national festival. Selection is based on: Professionalism and completeness of a prompt script and other paperwork, effectiveness of coordinating and managing a festival event, based on the respondent's feedback from the regional event coordinator, personal demeanor and communication skills, based on interviews and the Stage Management Simulation and written material submitted prior to the Regional Festival.
Madison Smith (undergraduate directing and management student) was recognized for "Most Improved Scene" in the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers Scholarship Program.
Mallory Prucha (graduate student in costume design) received second place in the costume design competition, a part of the National Design Technology and Management Awards.
JCSTF staff member, Brad Buffum was honored with the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion. Each year, the eight KCACTF regions honor individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Most importantly, recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF and to excellence in educational theatre. It is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the great honors in theatre education.
In addition to the national awards noted above, a number of Regional Commendations were presented at the KCACTF Region V, Festival 44:- Mallory Prucha for achievement in costume design "Lady Windermere's Fan"
- Shannon Cameron, Khalisha Casey, Jordan Deffenbaugh, Sydney Readman for achievement in choreography "Iphegenia 2.0"
- Mike Lee for achievement in musical composition/musical performance "Twelfth Night"
- Shannon Cameron for achievement in direction "Iphegenia 2.0"
- Julie Hagemeier for achievement in program design "Twelfth Night"