KU theatre design students receive awards at Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival Regional Competition

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance students received several commendations and awards in January at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region V Festival in Des Moines, Iowa.

Outstanding work from the department was recognized through a national honorable mention, top regional costume design award and several regional commendations, most of which were tied to fully realized productions of KU’s University Theatre in 2024. Elliot Bowman, a senior in theatre and math from Topeka, earned a Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of America/KCACTF National Dramaturgy Honorable Mention for their outstanding work on "Indecent," the 2024-25 KU Theatre & Dance season opener. Katie Cooley, MFA student in scenography, earned distinction as the Sharon Sobel Regional Costume Design Award recipient.

Commendations

For the production of "Indecent" by Paula Vogel:

• Elliot Bowman for dramaturgy
• Rana Esfandiary, assistant professor of design & technology in the department and freelance designer, for scenic design
• Josh Gilpin, MFA student in scenography, for lighting design
• Olly G. Mitchell, senior theatre student from Maize, for choreography
• Kennedy Tolar, a senior theatre student from Tulsa, Oklahoma, for stage management

For the production of "Hookman" by Lauren Yee:

• Bella Black, junior in math student from Kansas City; Sean Ingram, sophomore in theatre design student from Shawnee; and Olivia Laycock, student in theatre design from Wichita, received the Don Childs Design Technology & Management Cross-Discipline Collaboration Award.
• Sean Ingram for lighting design

For the production of "SWEAT" by Lynn Nottage:

• Ensemble for Ensemble Work
• Elliot Bowman, a Heart of the Art recognition for lighting design

For academic project work on "Blood Wedding" by Federico Garcia Lorca:

• Katie Cooley for representation, equity and diversity principles in design

For the University Dance Company Fall Concert:

• Elliot Bowman, a Heart of the Art recognition for lighting design

“The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival provides critical support and recognition for the talents of emerging theatre artists nationwide,” said Henry Bial, department chair. “The annual regional festival is a highlight for our production program, and we are pleased to have had so many of our students honored.”

“I’m glad to be able to spend the time with my students as they build confidence and skills during this conference and appreciate the opportunity to reconnect with some of our alumni who lead theatre programs in our region,” said Kelly Vogel, head of scenography and associate teaching professor in the department.

The KCACTF-Region V annual conference and awards took place in Des Moines, Iowa. Region V includes Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. At various times during 2024, representatives of KCACTF came to Lawrence to judge the submitted plays and provide responses. KCACTF is a national theatre program created through the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which celebrates excellence in university and college theatre programs.

The University Theatre is a production wing of KU's Department of Theatre & Dance, offering public productions throughout the academic year. The University Theatre productions are funded in part by KU Student Senate fees with additional support from Truity Credit Union.

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. Learn more on the department website. Visit the KU Theatre website for more information on public performances and the KU Dance website for dance performances.