March 2, 2006 -- University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance faculty and
students received top honors at last week’s Region VII Kennedy Center/American College
Theatre Festival (KCACTF) and Northwest Drama Conference in Pasco, Wash.
UW actors swept the KCACTF Region VII Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition,
picking up their ninth regional win. Senior Stephanie Lovell, Enfield, Conn., is one
of two Region VII Irene Ryan winners who will go on to compete at the national festival
in April at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
"The University of Wyoming has an amazing theatre program, it is absolutely astonishing,"
says Lovell, who will be among 16 students nationwide competing at the national festival.
"Our professors have been trained so well themselves, and we (students) are exposed
to so many opportunities. My acting coach, Leigh Selting, has been a huge inspiration."
She credits her scene partner, Cheyenne Christian of Mitchell, Neb., for her contributions
toward the award. Christian will partner with Lovell at the national festival.
Other Irene Ryan awards went to sophomore Andrew Franks-Ongoy, Helena, Mont., who
was selected as second alternate and won the Mark Twain Comedy Award; junior Claudine
Mboligikpelani Nako, Laramie, who won the Musical Theatre Award; and junior Katie
Herbert, Granby, Colo., who won the Best Partner Award.
Nako also won a full-tuition scholarship to attend the 2006 TVI Summer Professional
Acting Program in London, New York, or Los Angeles. At the TVI Actors Studio, Nako
will train with industry professionals including producers, directors, talent agents,
casting directors, and faculty members from prominent theatre schools across the country.
The production of “Frequency 98.6" -- a new play by senior Dana Formby of Cheyenne,
with original staging by Selting -- was placed on the "short list" to be invited to
the national festival at the Kennedy Center.
Senior Jesse Sundell, of Casper, was runner-up for the Region VII 10-Minute Play
Competition; second bachelor’s candidate Leann Torske, of Casper, won third place
in the KCACTF Critic’s Forum; while junior Russell Gilbert, Roscoe, Ill., picked up
a Meritorious Achievement in Lighting Design award from the KCACTF.
Also, UW Theatre and Dance Department Head Rebecca Hilliker was awarded the prestigious
Kennedy Center Gold Medallion for her years of service and leadership to Region VII.
Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006
