By: Hayley Richards
Distinguished Research and Honors Professor Val Winkelman is ecstatic to announce that four Auburn University Montgomery students have been recognized at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). Once a year, the Kennedy Center invites outstanding theater students to the KCACTF. Student awardees are allowed to showcase their skills in design, performance, directing, playwriting, stage management, dramaturgy, arts leadership and theater criticism. In an email announcement from Winkelman, students also participated in Stage Management and Performance events. They were able to present their research and creative works, receive external feedback and experiential opportunities, audition, interview, attend round table conversations, performances, showcases, new play readings, masterclasses in every discipline, and network with other students and guest artists.
For 50 years, KCACTF has been a place where hundreds of colleges and universities come together to celebrate, encourage and recognize the artistic work of our future generation of theater-makers. In retrospect, there is much to be proud of, but like any diamond, there are still flaws. AUM has participated in the event since 1982. The festival represents theater students from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands and Virginia. Students must meet registration qualifications to be considered for the event. To stand out, students must put their best foot forward to showcase their theatrical skills both in front of and behind the curtain. While this festival is a collaborative event, it remains a competition. University faculty also have the opportunity to be nominated for awards.
AUM students returned home with well-deserved awards. The honorary mentions include Tikyra Caldwell Regional First Place Theatre Design and Technology; Tabitha Neyerlin National Runner Up Dramaturgy; Tabitha Neyerlin Special Recognition for Best Program Note; Yahzane Palmer Honorable Mention Costume Design; Jalan Pedonesi Stage Management Team Awards Gala. AUM encourages students to join the department no matter their interests or skill level. If you would like to be notified about upcoming Theatre AUM events or be added to the audition list, email atippett@aum.edu.