Kennedy Center Recognizes Salem State Students

From Salem State:Ten Salem State University students won a total of ten regional awards in an annual competition sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Kennedy Center’sAmerican College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 20,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide each year.

A total of 50 schools participate in region 1 from Eastern NY, CT, NY, RI, MA, MH, VT, and ME. Salem State won awards in every category entered and represented significant numbers in the finalist pools in several categories. For the Irene Ryan acting award, Salem State represented 31 percent of the finalist pool and Salem State students placed in first, second, and third. Similarly, three of the four director finalists were from Salem State, making up 75 percent of the finalist pool.

Salem State students Schanaya Barrows, of Boston; Rachel Burke, of Westminster; Bobby Cius, of Cambridge; Kevin Dunn, of Hamilton; Delaney Jenkins, of Peabody; Charlie Kellogg, of Reading; Devin McGovern, of Acton; Kayla Norton, of Townsend; Ben Rose, of Chelmsford; and Chris Vega, of Lawrence, were honored in their fields during the Northeast regional KCACTF festival held at Cape Cod Community College. Of the eight KCACTF regions, each region sends its winning students in acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre to the national festival.

Five Salem State students are regional finalists this year and will go on to compete at the national competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, DC this April including: Ben Rose as the Regional 1 finalist for the SDC Directing Initiative, Kevin Dunn as the region 1 finalist for Excellence in Lighting Design, Kayla Norton who was recognized for Excellence in Stage Management, and Christopher Vega who will compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship joined by his scene partner, Schanaya Barrows.

"This is an unprecedented sweep of awards and fellowships earned by our students here in the Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication department. It speaks volumes about the incredible mentorship of our faculty and staff, the professionalism of our productions, and the tireless work ethic and dedication of our student artists," said Peter Sampieri, chair of the theater and speech communication department.

The KCACTF regional awards received by Salem State students are listed below.

· Schanaya Barrows received the Irene Ryan Best Scene Partner Award.

· Rachel Burke took fifth place in the Tech Olympics.

· Bobby Cius placed third in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

· Kevin Dunn won first place for Lighting Design and won the overall Stagecraft Institute Award.

· Delaney Jenkins placed second in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

· Charlie Kellogg won first place for Hair & Makeup Design and has been invited to attend a one-week Stagecraft Institute in Las Vegas.

· Devin McGovern has been invited to attend a one-week Stagecraft Institute in Las Vegas.

· Kayla Norton won first place for Stage Management.

· Ben Rose won first place in the SDC Directing Fellowship.

· Chris Vega is the Region 1 finalist for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

Among KCACTF’s goals are those “to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs” as well as “to provide opportunities for participants to develop their theater skills and insight and achieve professionalism.” The festival “honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.”

To learn more about Salem State University’s theatre and speech communication program, click here.

Ten Salem State University students won a total of ten regional awards in an annual competition sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The Kennedy Center’sAmerican College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 20,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide each year.

A total of 50 schools participate in region 1 from Eastern NY, CT, NY, RI, MA, MH, VT, and ME. Salem State won awards in every category entered and represented significant numbers in the finalist pools in several categories. For the Irene Ryan acting award, Salem State represented 31 percent of the finalist pool and Salem State students placed in first, second, and third. Similarly, three of the four director finalists were from Salem State, making up 75 percent of the finalist pool.

Salem State students Schanaya Barrows, of Boston; Rachel Burke, of Westminster; Bobby Cius, of Cambridge; Kevin Dunn, of Hamilton; Delaney Jenkins, of Peabody; Charlie Kellogg, of Reading; Devin McGovern, of Acton; Kayla Norton, of Townsend; Ben Rose, of Chelmsford; and Chris Vega, of Lawrence, were honored in their fields during the Northeast regional KCACTF festival held at Cape Cod Community College. Of the eight KCACTF regions, each region sends its winning students in acting, directing, playwriting, and technical theatre to the national festival.

Five Salem State students are regional finalists this year and will go on to compete at the national competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, DC this April including: Ben Rose as the Regional 1 finalist for the SDC Directing Initiative, Kevin Dunn as the region 1 finalist for Excellence in Lighting Design, Kayla Norton who was recognized for Excellence in Stage Management, and Christopher Vega who will compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship joined by his scene partner, Schanaya Barrows.

"This is an unprecedented sweep of awards and fellowships earned by our students here in the Salem State University Theatre and Speech Communication department. It speaks volumes about the incredible mentorship of our faculty and staff, the professionalism of our productions, and the tireless work ethic and dedication of our student artists," said Peter Sampieri, chair of the theater and speech communication department.

The KCACTF regional awards received by Salem State students are listed below.

· Schanaya Barrows received the Irene Ryan Best Scene Partner Award.

· Rachel Burke took fifth place in the Tech Olympics.

· Bobby Cius placed third in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

· Kevin Dunn won first place for Lighting Design and won the overall Stagecraft Institute Award.

· Delaney Jenkins placed second in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

· Charlie Kellogg won first place for Hair & Makeup Design and has been invited to attend a one-week Stagecraft Institute in Las Vegas.

· Devin McGovern has been invited to attend a one-week Stagecraft Institute in Las Vegas.

· Kayla Norton won first place for Stage Management.

· Ben Rose won first place in the SDC Directing Fellowship.

· Chris Vega is the Region 1 finalist for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

Among KCACTF’s goals are those “to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs” as well as “to provide opportunities for participants to develop their theater skills and insight and achieve professionalism.” The festival “honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.”

To learn more about Salem State University’s theatre and speech communication program, click here.

Image via Salem State