UM-Flint Theatre Students Are Standouts at Kennedy Center Festival

The recent Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) held at Saginaw Valley College saw University of Michigan-Flint students win awards for their level of excellence.

"Our students traditionally win awards at the annual festival, but what made this year so special was that 14 awards were presented to students for their work," said Lauren Friesen, chair of the Theatre and Dance Department.

Design Storm –

First Place Winner in Scene Design: Samantha Jarrett
Honorable Mention in Lighting Design: Corey Boughton

Tech Olympics-

2^nd Place Winner: Corey Boughton and Lacie Tate

Theatre Crafts Showcase-
Certificate of Excellence: Christina Bellows

Design Projects-
Regional Finalist in set design: Samantha Jarrett
Regional Finalist is set design: Lacie Tate

Irene Ryan Acting Competition-
Finalists: Courtney Hatcher and Eric Kearns

Semi-Finalists-
Vaughn Davis and Kenn Hopkins
Kate Roda and Nicholas Hale

10 Minute Play Directing Competition-
Finalist: Jordan Climie

In addition, Leslie Hull ('04) was an Irene Ryan Finalist. Leslie is now a graduate student at Michigan State University.

"This is wonderful testimony to the talents of our students— and their faculty," said College of Arts and Sciences Dean D.J. Trela.

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.