KU Department of Theatre & Dance announces 2025 award winners
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance recognized 30 students as recipients of its year-end awards for academic merit and contributions to departmental performances and its culture.
“As teachers, celebrating our students’ outstanding achievements is always the highlight of our year,” said Henry Bial, professor and chair. “This year, with so many challenges facing both higher education and the arts, we are especially proud of our Jayhawks for their perseverance and commitment to excellence.”
The Kilty Kane Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions made to the University Theatre, was presented to Connor Maloney, of Wichita, who completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design with a classical antiquity minor.
The Kuhlke Humanitarian Award, given in recognition of humanitarian service to the department, was presented to Olly Mitchell, of Wichita, who completed her Bachelor of General Studies degree in Theatre Culture and Society with a dance minor. Both awards are named for actors (Jerome Kilty and Emeritus Professor William Kuhlke) credited with memorable performances as guest artists in Murphy Hall.
The Key Collaborator Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University Dance Company, was presented to Anna Shelton, of Hesston, who completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a theatre minor.
The Elizabeth Sherbon Award, named for the retired KU professor who established the dance major at KU, is presented to a sophomore or junior studying dance. This year’s recipient was Molly Stover-Brown, of Wichita, for her outstanding academic and performance achievements.
Many of the awards include financial support, which totals over $30,000. This listing also includes recipients of a hands-on, arts administrative training program within the Department, known as the Loren Kennedy Ambassadorship. Awardees and ambassadors:
Kansas
- Katelyn Arnold, Topeka, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Tara Leigh Burgat, Spring Hill, Jump Start Award
- Sofia Dunkelberger, Wichita, Loren Kennedy Ambassador Coordinator
- Cooper Holmes, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador Coordinator
- Sean Ingram, Shawnee, Glenn Bickle Award, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- James Kensinger, Topeka, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Olivia Laycock, Wichita, Brian Ten Eyck Davis Award
- Connor L. Maloney, Wichita, Kilty Kane Award
- Lacey Marr, Shawnee, Marilyn Hunt Scharine Award
- Olly G. Mitchell, Wichita, Kuhlke Humanitarian Award
- Cade Nelson, Topeka, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- River Ott, Derby, Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting
- Alex Reimer, Paola, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Eliana Rundus, Lawrence, Social Justice Award
- Casey Schenk, Topeka, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Madi Seelye, Lawrence, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Anna Shelton, Hesston, Key Collaborator Award
- Molly Stover-Brown, Wichita, Elizabeth Sherbon Award
- Maya Welde, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Elizabeth Wellman, Lawrence, Loren Kennedy Ambassador.
Other states and countries
- Sergio Alicea Román, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Ethel Hinds Burch Awards
- Tanner Ashenfelter, Camp Verde, Texas, Laura Louise Pryor Award
- Marzi Ashrafian, Iran, Ethel Hinds Burch Award, Joseph R. Roach Dissertation Research Award
- Katie Cooley, Plano, Texas, Ethel Hinds Burch Award
- Kitty Corum, Kansas City, Missouri, Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting
- Gillian Genardo, Mokena, Illinois, Ethel Hinds Burch Award
- Katherine Leverenz, Houston, Texas, Shirley and Tom P. Rea Memorial Award
- Camryn Purtle, Harrisonville, Missouri, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Sloane Smith, Littleton, Colorado, Loren Kennedy Ambassador Emeritus Coordinator
- Kennedy Tolar, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jack B. Wright Award.
The Department of Theatre & Dance is one of three departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.
For more information on the Department of Theatre & Dance, visit the department website. For information about audition opportunities and performances of the University Theatre, visit the KU Theatre website. For the University Dance Company, please visit the department website.