Theatre Receives 12 Awards At Regional Festival

Members of the SHSU theatre department received 12 awards for their participation at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Regional Festival at the Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, Ark., from Feb. 24-28.

“The outcome of the Region VI festival in Fayetteville, Ark., proved, once again, the high level of quality work Sam Houston State University theatre department produces,” said Penelope Hasekoester, associate professor of theatre.

SHSU’s production of “Not About Nightingales,” the fourth production in the past three years to be invited to the regional festival, was named First Alternate to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Senior theatre students David Kenner, with partner Kevin Crouch, and Matt Tompkins, with partner Laura Kaldis, were named Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition finalists for the region. Both groups, as well as seniors Heather Scheffel, with partner Sarah Ripper, were also named semi-finalists for the Irene Ryan competition.

Five students were awarded for their work in “Not About Nightingales.” Bekah Harris received the “Barbizon Award for Properties;” Kevin Crouch received the “Regional Award for Graphic Design” and also for “Anything Goes;” Tracy Crowston received the “Regional Award for Costume Design;” and Danny Colosky and Spencer Plachy both received the “Regional Award for Acting.”

In addition, Hasekoester received a Region VI Nomination in participation for the Actor Center Teacher’s Development June 2004 Workshop.

The SHSU theatre department was one of only seven schools selected at the Texas IV Festival, hosted by the University of Texas at Tyler on Nov. 8, 2003, to perform at the regional festival. More than 50 schools performed at the Tyler festival, and SHSU won nine major awards there.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
March 10, 2004
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