38 National Awardees Announced For 41st Annual KCACTF, Held 4/14-4/18

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced 38 national awardees at the 41st annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), April 14-18, 2009. The students from universities and colleges from across the United States secured their places at the national festival and the opportunity to earn awards, scholarships, and fellowships through their success at regional festivals in January and February 2009.

Developed by Roger L. Stevens, Kennedy Center Founding Chairman, the KCACTF is dedicated to encouraging, recognizing, and celebrating the finest and most diverse work produced in college and university theater programs. The eight regional festivals and national festival provide an opportunity for college and university theater departments to present their work, especially new or student-written work, and to receive outside assessment. Since its establishment in 1969, the KCACTF has reached more than 17.5 million theatergoers, students, and teachers nationwide.

The recipients of the awards, scholarships, and fellowships announced at the national festival at the Kennedy Center are listed below.

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships

Each year the KCACTF selection panel reviews up to 300 nominees chosen from thousands of submissions nationwide. Two winners from each region are invited to attend the national festival to audition for the national scholarships. Each of the 16 finalists receive a $500 scholarship and a week-long, expenses paid trip to the national festival, where a judging panel made up of leading artistic directors, actors, producers, and casting agents views presentations of monologues, short scenes, and songs and award two scholarships of $3,000.

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships go to Meredith Hinckley and Adam Navarro, both of California State University-Fullerton. Their acting partners were Paul Collins and Courtney Howe respectively.

The finalists and their acting partners were also eligible for additional scholarships, fellowships, and awards. The recipients are as follows.
The Shakespeare Theatre Company Acting Fellowship, Michael Kahn- Artistic Director, and The VASTA Award for Vocal Excellence both go to Adam Navarro, California State University-Fullerton.
The Sundance Theatre Lab Acting Fellowship, Philip Himberg- Artistic Director, and The National Partners of the American Theatre Classical Acting Award, presented in association with The Shaw Festival, Jackie Maxwell- Artistic Director, both go to Meredith Hinckley, California State University-Fullerton.
The inaugural KCACTF-sponsored Actors Theatre of Louisville Acting Apprenticeships, Marc Masterson-Artistic Director, go to Erin Fried, Colorado State University, and Mike Zuccola, Salem State University.
The Williamstown Theatre Festival Fellowship goes to Jonathan Hooks, University of Oklahoma.
The Mark Twain Scholarship for Comic Performance goes to Peter Macy, University of Central Missouri.
The Dell'Arte Mad River Festival Fellowship goes to Ashley Kobza, University of Nebraska-Kearney.
The Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre Training Program Scholarship goes to Matthew Kerrigan, Illinois State University. Mr. Kerrigan was partner to Ryan Hallahan.
The Margolis Method Training Scholarship goes to Matthew Gorkis, Illinois State University. Mr. Gorkis was partner to Max Ganet.
The Society of American Fight Directors Scholarship goes to James Jelkin, partner to Ashley Kobza, University of Nebraska-Kearney.
The inaugural KCACTF-sponsored Orchard Project Core Company Fellowship goes to Sean Cummings, Colorado State University. Mr. Cummings was partner to Erin Fried.
The Kingsley Colton Outstanding Partner Award, sponsored by Actors Equity Association, goes to Courtney Howe, California State University-Fullerton. Mr. Howe was partner to Adam Navarro.

The Barbizon Awards for Excellence in Scenic, Costume, and Light Design

All national Barbizon Award recipients receive an honorarium of $500 and an expenses paid trip to New York City for the National Design Portfolio Review at the Lincoln Center, as well as a professional development residency, to be determined according to the recipient's discipline. The recipients in each category follow.

The Barbizon Award for Excellence in Costume Design goes to Marian Cooper of Temple University. Honorable mentions go to Stephanie Kucsera of University of Indianapolis, Mercedes O'Bannion of Mesa Community College, and Bich Do of Sam Houston State University.

The Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design goes to Marciel Greene of Ball State University. The runner-up was Gregory Contreras of Florida International University. An honorable mention goes to Stephanie Malone of Linfield College.

The Barbizon Award for Excellence in Scenic Design goes to Joe Holbrook of California State University-Fullerton. The runner-up was Nick Quinn of University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana. An honorable mention goes to Jessica Emerson and Emily Gorecki of the University of New Haven.
The KCACTF and Alcone Make-Up Design Awards