Students in the College of Charleston’s Department of Theatre and Dance brought home several awards from the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) earlier this month.

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 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student-artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. The four-day festival features performances showcasing the outstanding work of the region, a wide range of professional development opportunities in all areas of theater as well as major theater competitions.

The following CofC theatre majors received awards during the KCACTF festival:

  • Sophie Carlick, senior: Student Choice Award and First Place, KCACTF Excellence in Design (costume design) for The Lady Demands Satisfaction
  • Morgan Clinton, sophomore: Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Award and Honorable Mention, Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) David Weiss Excellence in Design (unrealized costume design) for Hedda Gabler
  • Mattie Davis, sophomore: Second Place, SETC David Weiss Excellence in Design (unrealized costume design) for The Ladies Man
  • Julia Mimo, sophomore: Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Award and First Place, SETC David Weiss Excellence in Design (unrealized set design) for Buried Child
  • Flynn Valentine, senior: Honorable Mention, KCACTF Excellence in Design (costume design) for Marisol

In addition, senior Kenya Gadsden and junior Victoria Leatherman made it to the finals in the Stage Management category, and senior Jonathan Harper made it to the semifinals in the Musical Theatre Initiative.

“Our students presented themselves well and supported each other throughout the week. It was amazing to see our family unit bring great work, excellent attitudes and genuine respect and support for each other and for others at the festival,” says Janine McCabe, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. “All of our students deserve to be congratulated for attending workshops, presenting, participating and being open to what the festival and other people had to offer.”