Minnesota State University, Mankato Theatre & Dance Department represents at Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival 55
Mankato- The Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Theatre and Dance is excited to announce the award recipients from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region V. The 55th annual festival was held in Des Moines, IA January 22-28, 2023.
35 students from Minnesota State University, Mankato attended the festival.
Region V represents Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri, and its regional festival is the largest of the eight in the country. The productions that are included in consideration for awards were performed in the 2022 calendar year and include productions from Spring 2022, Summer 2022, and Fall 2022.
Timothy Berry’s Wounded Healers was one of seven productions invited to perform at the festival. The production played to over 1,000 students and faculty from nearly 100 schools across the region. The production team loaded the scenery, lighting, sound, and costumes into and out of the theatre before and after the production- a true touring experience for the faculty and students involved! The production was extremely well received by students and professional respondents alike at three talk-back sessions the day after the play was performed.
Certificates of Merit are awarded by individual KCACTF representatives who come to campus and respond to a production. This award represents a noteworthy achievement by an individual or group on that particular production.
Eighteen students received recognition for their performance and production work on Richard III, A Christmas Carol, Disney’s High School Musical, In the Next Room, and Wounded Healers.
The Irene Ryan Foundation awards eight regional scholarships and one national scholarship annually through a competitive round of acting auditions. MTI celebrates and recognizes outstanding musical theatre students throughout the region.
Garmunee Phillips (partnered by Faith Peterson) was an Irene Ryan Finalist. Four students advanced to the semi-finalist round of the Irene Ryan Acting award.
Nine students advanced to the MTI Singing Semi-Finals. Four students advanced to the MTI Singing Finals. Five students advanced to the MTI Dance finals. A student quartet was invited to perform at the MTI Cabaret.
Aria Moon was recognized for her work in scenic painting for Wounded Healers. Jacob Haen received the Region V Open Jar (Dance) Scholarship. Sarah Honerman was selected as a Society of Directors and Choreographers Fellowship Alternate. Nevaeh Braucks received the Heart of Art award for her scenic design in Not All Heroes Wear Capes. Garmunee Phillips received a Promising Young Artist Award. RJ Magee received an Outstanding Direction of a 10-Minute Play.
Ruby Carlson, Matthew Caron, RJ Magee, John Paul, and Nicholas Wayne presented workshops during the festival.
