UCS theatre students earn 160 top awards, $420,000 in scholarship offers at annual festival

Utica Community Schools students earned more than $420,000 in scholarship offers and nearly 160 top awards at the 2016 Michigan Thespian Festival.

Nearly 140 theatre students from Eisenhower, Henry Ford II, Stevenson and Utica high schools attended the annual festival at Saginaw Valley State University, held December 1 and 3. Approximately 1,500 students from across Michigan attended the festival.

Students had the opportunity to attend professional workshops, meet with college representatives, view performances and compete in events that were judged by college and industry professionals.

The seven UCS students who auditioned for college programs received a combined total of approximately $420,000 in scholarship offers.

Also, Utica High School senior Maureen Lamers was also offered a coveted position to the Western Michigan University Stage Management Theatre Program.

Students from all four high schools collectively earned 98 Superior awards and 58 Excellent ratings.

UCS theatre students are under the direction of teachers Dave Springer of Eisenhower High School, Kirstin Carolin of Henry Ford II, Mark Johnson of Stevenson High School and Joel Kaczmarczyk of Utica High School.