CLARION – Two Clarion University students received Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Region II awards and several others were recognized during the conference, Jan. 13-18 in Philadelphia.
The students attending participated in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, the Barbizon Competition, and workshops. They also got to attend the invited full productions of nominated Region II plays, invited scenes, and meet with professionals in the theatre industry.
Esteban Brown won the Region II award for hair and wigs for his work on “The Who’s Tommy”; and Elizabeth McNamara won the Region II award for costumes for her designs for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Brown, a senior theatre major from New Castle is a graduate of New Castle High School.
McNamara, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of James McNamara of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Carlynton High School.
Connor Mrozowski and his partner, Tiffany Williams; and Ryan Jackson and his scene partner, Shernee Bellamy advanced into the semi-final round of the Irene Ryan Scholarship competition.
Mrozowski, a sophomore theatre major, is a son of John Mrozowski of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Winchester Thurston High School.
Williams, a senior double major in mass media arts, journalism, and communication studies and theatre, a daughter of Terry Barnishin of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Penn Hills High School.
Jackson, a junior theatre major, is a son of Lisa Jackson of Ambridge and is a graduate of Moon High School.
Bellamy, a junior theatre major, is a daughter of Jessica Bellamy of Erie and is a graduate of Central High School.
Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation of Encino, Cal., has awarded scholarships to the outstanding student performers at each regional festival. The scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the late Irene Ryan, who is best remembered for her portrayal of Granny Clampett in
the “Beverly Hillbillies.”
Joseph Pettine was the runner-up in Dramaturgy and is being held as an alternate to the National Festival to be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in April. Working with the playwright of a new play, the dramaturg can help the playwright shape the work for audience and can also function as a liaison between the playwright and the other members of the production team. Working on an established play, the dramaturg can do research to assist the director and designers to achieve the vision of the play they want and to provide the actors with information and insights to help them in character development.
Pettine, a senior secondary education/English major is from Quakertown and is a graduate of Abington High School.
Nathan Matt received a Certificate of Merit for Stage Management at the festival.
Matt, a senior theatre major, is a son of Becca Arabia of Lower Burrell and is a graduate of Highlands High School.
“All students attending did exemplary work and received valuable feedback from industry professionals,” said Robert Levy, chair of the theatre department.
Levy, and fellow theatre department faculty members Edward Powers, Julie Findlan-Powell and Rob Bullington; and English department faculty member Dr. Ralph Leary also attended. Eighteen additional students attended the festival:
Adam Huff, a junior theatre major, a son of Roger and Marian Huff of North Huntingdon, and a graduate of Greensburg Central Catholic High School.
Amy Hartman, a junior theatre major, a daughter of Terry Hartman of Greensburg, and a graduate of Greensburg-Salem High School.
Andrew Resch, a senior English major, a son of Thomas and Debra Resch of West Creek, N.J., and a graduate of Pinelands Regional High School.
Benjamin Geibel, a junior theatre major, a son of Deborah Weber of Jackson Center and a graduate of Lakeview High School.
Elizabeth Fisher, a junior theatre major, a daughter of Mary Jo Fisher of Plum and a graduate of Norwin High School.
Jordan Cyphert, a sophomore musical theatre major, a daughter of Jeffrey and Roberta Cyphert of Leeper and a graduate of North Clarion High School.
Kate Quigley, a sophomore theatre major, a daughter of Susan Quigley of Pittsburgh and a graduate of North Allegheny High School.
Kevin Lichty, a freshman theatre major, a son of Thomas and Patricia Lichty of York and a graduate of York Catholic High School.
Kim Hickernell, a junior theatre major, a daughter of Kathy Hickernell of Conneautville and is a graduate of Conneaut Valley High School.
Lindsay Pingor, a senior elementary education/musical theatre major, a daughter of Darryl and Wendy Pingor of Delmont and a graduate of Franklin Regional High School.
Mark Peelman, a junior theatre major, a son of Jeff and Karen Peelman of Erie, and a graduate of Mercyhurst Preparatory School.
Samuel Levy, a junior theatre major, a son of Robert Levy of Shippenville, and a graduate of Clarion High School.
Shawn Arnold, a junior secondary education/social studies major, a son of Mary Arnold of Philipsburg and a graduate of Philipsburg-Osceola High School.
Tara Haupt, a senior theatre major, a daughter of Chris and Sheri Haupt of Bellefonte and a graduate of Bald Eagle Area High School.
Tyler Cramer, a senior theatre major, a son of Billie Cramer of Reynoldsville and a graduate of DuBois Area High School
Victor Aponte, a sophomore theatre major, a son of Luz Aponte of Erie and a graduate of McDowell High School.
Whitney Hayes, a sophomore elementary education major, a daughter of Jeff Hayes of Bethel Park and a graduate of Bethel Park High School.
Zachary Edwards, a senior elective studies in business major, a son of Kenneth Edwards of New Kensington and a graduate of Burrell High School.
KCACTF Region II includes Delaware, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C. Started in 1969 by Roger L. Stevens, the Kennedy Center’s founding chair, the 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 400 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF adjudicators.
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.