Illinois State University School of Theatre has unprecedented success at regional Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival
January 12, 2008, The School of Theatre at Illinois State University was exceptionally successful at this year’s Region III KCACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival) held in Saginaw, Michigan this past week. Illinois State University School of Theatre has a reputation for excellence at the festival but this year’s success was unprecedented.
Six students will advance to compete at the National Festival held at the Kennedy Center in April. These students are
· Ryan Hallahan and scene partner Matt Kerrigan, winner of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition
· Max Ganet and scene partner Matthew Gorkis, winner of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition
Note: Two winners are selected from each of the 8 regions in the country. In this five-state region, both winners this year came from Illinois State University.
· graduate student Bob Quinlan, winner of the Directing competition
· Neal Ryan Shaw, winner of the Dramaturg competition
· Quinlan also won Regional Student Directing Project Award with a scene from Loot by Joe Orton.
The Irene Ryan competition this year totaled 265 competing pairs. That number is reduced to 51 competing pairs for the semi-final round. It is then reduced to 16 pairs in the final round. Also competing in the final round: Annie Rix, Ken Mooney (Named Alternate Irene Ryan Acting competition winner), and Amanda Roeder.
Other honors include: Caitlin Boylan, second-place finish in the Stage Management competition.
Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center’s founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents
There will be a special showing of the Irene Ryan Acting Award participants’ work on Friday, January 16 at 3:00 pm in Westhoff Theatre in the Centennial East Building on the campus of Illinois State University. Running time will be 75 minutes. Contact Chris Peak at 309-438-2535 to reserve a space.
