MSU Theatre

Success at KCACTF Region V Festival in 2008

Here is a recounting of our triumphs at the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held Jan. 20-27, 2008, in Omaha, Nebraska.

In Acting: Junior BFA Micah Kronlokken was acclaimed the Region V Irene Ryan Winner (the last time we achieved this pinnacle was in 1997).  This places  him as one of the top 16 student actors IN THE COUNTRY!  His partner, senior BFA Katie Moeller, was acclaimed Best Partner in the Final Round.  First year MFA Acting major Lolly Foy broke to the Semi Finals (the top 36 out of over 400 eligible nominees).

In Directing: Senior BFA Heather Folsom placed first in the SSDC (The Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers) 10-minute scene directing competition.  This places her as one of the top 8 student directors IN THE COUNTRY!

Micah, Katie and Heather have all been invited to participate in the National Festival this April at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

In Design:

• Britt Katuin (senior BFA) won Honorable Mention (second place) in the Barbizon Costume Design competition for Bus Stop
• Deb Lindell (senior BFA) won 2nd place in the Regional Scene Design competition for Dog Sees God
• Jeff Smith (junior BS) won 2nd place in Poster Design for Bus Stop
• Ben Inniger (1st year MFA)  won 2nd place for Sound Design for Hurlyburly
  

And we captured 10 KCACTF Certificates of Commendation for productions this year, including

• Angie Hesterman (recent BFA graduate) for Stage Management for Angels in America
• The entire shift crew for excellence in shifting Angels in America
• Mick Coughlan (recent BFA graduate) for Stage Management for Gypsy
• David McCarl (faculty) for Costume Design for Gypsy
• Allen Wright Shannon (2nd year MFA) for Set Design for Cats
• Steve Smith (faculty) for Lighting Design for Cats
• John Paul (faculty) for Set Design for Enchanted April
• David McCarl (faculty) for Costume Design for Enchanted April
• Doug Bennett (2nd year MFA) for Set Design of Bus Stop
• Brit Katuin (senior BFA) for Costume Design for Bus Stop
  

In Addition:
Both Paul Finocchiaro and Paul J. Hustoles served as Irene Ryan Preliminary Round Judges.
Both John Paul and Paul J. Hustoles serve on the Regional Advisory Board.  John Paul is the Vice Chair of Design and Technologies.  Paul J. Hustoles is the Region V Registrar (for the tenth year in a row).

Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominations

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education. The Irene Ryan Foundation awards sixteen regional and two national scholarships annually. Sixteen of the awards consist of a $500 scholarship for each regional representative.

Theatre Departments enter productions with the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, which then sends regional responders to see the show and share their ideas with designers, cast and crew following a performance. From each entered production, two actors are nominated to participate in the Irene Ryan competition at the regional festival. Traditionally, Minnesota State Mankato has the most entries for Region V.

Check out our nomination history going back to the 1994 Festival.

Nominations from 2007

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Micah J. L. Kronlokken
Joel Partyka

Angels in American: Millennium Approaches
Heather Ann Folsom
Mallory K. Martin

Gypsy
Mollie Fischer
Claire Wellin

Hurlyburly
Joey Ford
Shane Solomon

Cats
Jared Oxborough
Andrew D. Umphrey

Enchanted April
Lolly Foy
Susan Vee Hansen

Bus Stop
Mathias Becker
Claire Lloyd