Festival 55
2023
Festival 55 – 2023
The Citizen Artist Awards
The Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Awards recognize programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact through an artistic lens, to encourage empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and to advocate for justice on campus and throughout the world.
• Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner Spokane Falls Community College
• Marisol Idaho State University
• Everybody Central Washington University
• Water by the Spoonful Sonoma State University
Distinguished Achievement in the Facilitation of a Brave Rehearsal Space
This new recognition celebrates teaching artists who create a rehearsal room community that prioritizes the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of their student artists; empowering them to safely engage with challenging theatrical stories.
• Marisol Idaho State University
• Everybody Central Washington University
• Water by the Spoonful Sonoma State University
Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management
• Shauna Llamas, Lindsay Hayes, and Sayde Mendell Everybody Central Washington University
• Harmoni Thompson, Alyssa Higley, and Staci Allen Marisol Idaho State University
• Blake Presnell, Ally Bray The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
• Blythe DeWitt and Charlie Ladd Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner Spokane Falls Community College
Distinguished Achievement in Projection Design
• Marisol Idaho State University
Distinguished Achievement in Scenic Design
• Michelle Ludlow and Claire Chrzan Marisol Idaho State University
Distinguished Achievement in Sound Design
• Syd Mauro Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design
• Jonathan Curns Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Costume Design
• Lisa Bebey Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Performance and Production Ensemble
• Everybody Central Washington University
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Distinguished Production of a Play
• Everybody Central Washington University
Outstanding Production of a New Work
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Innovative and Unique Theatrical Event
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Distinguished Director of a Play
• Emily Rollie Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Movement Direction
• Annabelle Brasch Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Original Music Composition
• Owen McGreevy The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
National Playwriting Awards
The national committee has announced awards and we have included the full list with this newsletter but, similar to the national awards we have highlighted the Region 7 folks for you below. Congratulations to everyone on this list and representing Region 7 so well.
THE MICHAEL KANIN PLAYWRITING AWARDS
For Festival Year 2022
To be presented in the Kennedy Center Family Theater on April 21, 2023
New Play Exchange or personal website link on first mention, if available
The National Undergraduate Playwriting Awards
Second Place
The Wife of Fabian Vitalik
By Kalyssa Montoya and Grace McGreevy
Adapted from the short story by Mariah Montoya
University of Idaho
Kalyssa Rose Montoya | New Play Exchange
The Darrell Ayers National Playwriting Award
The Wife of Fabian Vitalik
By Kalyssa Montoya and Grace McGreevy
Adapted from the short story by Mariah Montoya
University of Idaho
The David Mark Cohen Playwriting Award
Co-Recipients
the fog comes on little cat feet
by Amanda Keating
University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop
Amanda Keating | New Play Exchange
and
Emme and the Taking of the Woods
By Jef Petersen
Lewis-Clark State College
Jef Petersen | New Play Exchange
DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
The National Sound Design Award
Second Place
Patrick Middlebrook (Spring Awakening), Colorado State University
The National Scenic Design Awards
Honorable Mention
Julianne Bodner (Personal History), University of Oregon
The National Costume Design Awards
Third Place
Maddie James (Spring Awakening), Colorado State University
The Broadway Stage Management Symposium Scholarships
Partial Scholarship
Avery Wisner, Western Washington University
ASPIRE ARTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The Charlene Gordon Arts Impact Awards
Leonardo Parry, Boise State University
SDC STUDENT DIRECTING FELLOWSHIPS
WildWind Performances Lab Directing Fellowships
Abigail Torres, George Fox University
PERFORMANCE AWARDS
The Kennedy Center Musical Theatre Scholarships
Graciella Hamilton, American River College
The Performing Arts Project Scholarships
Leah Shannon, Western Washington University
Festival 54 – 2022
Kennedy Center Gold Medallion
Patrick Dizney
Horace Robinson/Jack Watson Award
Natashia Lindsey, Central Washington University
Participating Productions
She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms by Qui Nguyen
Presented by Sacramento City College
Songs in a Time of Pandemic by Marc Jacobs and Cast
Presented by California State University, East Bay
FireDance by Chiori Miyagawa
Presented by Spokane Falls Community College
Oedipus Tremendous by Sophocles, adapted by Gordon Reinhart
Presented by Boise State University
These Seven Sicknesses (Oedipus, Electra, Antigone) by Sean Graney
Presented by Colorado State University
Midsummer v.20.20 by Terry Maloney Haley
Presented by American River College
ASPIRE
Regional Finalist
Katherine Benitez
California State University, Sacramento
ATHE/KCACTF Prize for Innovative Teaching
Dr. Ashley DeMoville
Spokane Falls Community College
DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT
The DTM Jane Childs Legacy Award
Blake Presnell, University of Idaho
Honorable Mention
Marley Ross, George Fox University
Melina Ramirez, California State University, East Bay
Emmy Harmon, Sacrament City College
The Vectorworks Award
Julianne Bodner, University of Oregon
Society of Properties Artisan Managers Award
Kimberlee Wilson, American River College
The DTM Don Childs Cross-Discipline Collaboration Award
Cheer! Story of A Dreamer
California State University, East Bay
Lucy Brindle (Scenery)
Melina Ramirez (Sound)
Mikeila Montemayor (Props)
Gregor Tuffy (Costumes)
Heart of the Art Award
Sidney Morrow, Columbia Basin College
Region 7 Award for Achievement
Stage Management | Sophie Ventresco, Boise State University
Scenery | Johnathan Billington, George Fox University
Costume | Gregor Tuffy, California State University, East Bay
Lighting | Madelyn Southard, University of Portland
Sound | Alea Tran, Linfield University
Allied | Mikeila Montemayor, California State University, East Bay
Region 7 1st Place Award for Excellence
Stage Management | Ellie Barbuto, George Fox University
Scenery | Brindle Brundage, University of Idaho
Costume | James Fagan, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Lighting | Natalie Doocy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Sound | Abbie Northrop, Linfield University
Randy Lutz Allied Design & Technology Award
Emily Feil, California State University, East Bay
DRAMATURGY
LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award
Avery Flasher-Duzgunes, Sonoma State University
Blake Watson, University of Wyoming
Distinguished Achievement
Rachael Fornarotto, University of Idaho
THE INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE JOURNALISM AND ADVOCACY
ITJA Fellow | Elijah Rakha-Shaketoff, Western Washington University
ITJA Fellow | Lexi Warden, Dartmouth College
IRENE RYAN ACTING SCHOLARSHIP AUDITIONS
Irene Ryan Award | Doshima Iyorlu, American River College
Irene Ryan Alternate | Angel Kalasz, University of Idaho
Best Partner Award | Alexandria Wilson, American River College
MUSICAL THEATER INITATIVE
MTI Award | Doshima Iyorlu, American River College
MTI Alternate | Sophie Kashman, Western Washington University
Honorable Mention | Nathan Templeton, Idaho State University
NATIONAL PLAYWRITING PROGRAM
John Cauble One-Act Play Honoree
Hasti Jafari Jozani, San Francisco State University
Aster Knudson, Central Washington University
Gary Garrison 10-Min Play Honoree
Joe Moore, Western Washington University
Art Por Diaz, San Francisco State University
NAPAT Region 7 Honoree
Jessica Moreland, Western Washington University
KCACTF Region 7 By Trans for Trans Playwriting Honoree
Barnett Marcus Western Washington University
KCACTF Region 7 Middle Eastern-American Playwriting Honoree
Hasti Jafari Jozani, San Francisco State University
KCACTF Region 7 Latinx Playwriting Honoree
Art Por Diaz, San Francisco State University
SCHOLARLY PAPERS
Undergraduate Student Winner
“The Essex Rebellion: The Myths We Tell About Essex, Shakespeare, and Richard II.”
Blake Watson, University of Wyoming
Undergraduate Student Winner
“Examining Ibsen’s Critique of Gender Expectations in A Doll House.”
Alea Tran, Linfield University
Undergraduate Honorable Mention
“Jewish American Theatre: A Call to Action for Authenticity.”
Danni Horwitz, University of Wyoming
SDC DIRECTING INITIATIVE
Fellowship Finalist | Katie Ginther, Western Washington University
Meritorious Achievement | Elijah Rakha-Sheketoff, Western Washington University
Festival 53 – 2021
| EVENT | NAME | SCHOOL | TITLE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horace Robinson/Jack Watson Award | Joe Jacoby | North Idaho College | |
| Gold Medallion | Ed Trujillo | Retired, Diablo Valley College | |
| PARTICIPATING PRODUCTIONS | |||
| Participating Production | Southern Oregon University | Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl | |
| Participating Production | Western Washington University | how to clean your room (and remember all your trauma) by J. Chavez | |
| Participating Production | Sacramento State University | Sweat by Lynn Nottage | |
| Participating Production | Spokane Falls Community College | Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus by Taylor Mac | |
| Participating Production | University of Colorado, Boulder | She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms by Qui Nguyen | |
| Participating Production | California State University East Bay | Blood at the Root by Dominique Morisseau | |
| Showcase Production | Kevin Neighbors | Versatile | |
| CSU SUMMER ARTS | |||
| Scholarship | Bailey Patterson | University of Wyoming | |
| Scholarship | Elyse Bradford | George Fox University | |
| Scholarship | Kaitlyn Richards | CSU Sacramento | |
| Scholarship | Megan Jones | Spokane Falls Community College | |
| Scholarship | Khari Haynes | Sacramento State University | |
| Scholarship | Sammi Pietranza | Humboldt State University | |
| Scholarship | Miles Meckling | CSU Sacramento | |
| Scholarship | Michael Galvin | Central Washington University | |
| DTM STAGE MANAGEMENT | |||
| Honorable Mention | Katie Kinslow | Colorado State University | Boy Gets Girl |
| Honorable Mention | Tiffany May | West Valley College | Into the Woods |
| Regional Award for Achievement | Ryan Singh | Boise State University | Christmas Carol |
| KCACTF National Award for Excellence in Stage Management | Loren Boesch | Colorado State University | How I Learned to Drive |
| Masterclass Award | Finlay Kuester, Aimee’ Le Roi, Michael Montanus, Maren Bowie |
||
| GEORGE R CALDWELL SCHOLARLY PAPER | |||
| Undergraduate Scholarly Paper Meritorious Achievement | David Fisher | North Idaho College | “Local Theatre in Northern Idaho: Hate Has No Role in Our Community” |
| Undergraduate Scholarly Paper Meritorious Achievement | Dee Miller | University of Wyoming | “African Theatrical Tradition and History” |
| Undergraduate Scholarly Paper Award | Alen Tran | Linfield University | “The Onnagata: A Reflection of Edo Period Views of Femininity” |
| Graduate Scholarly Paper Award | Keenan Shionalyn | Central Washington University | “Subversion and Reification of Mixed Race and Queer Tropes: The Triumphs and Downfalls of Lovecraft Country” |
| LMDA/KCACTF STUDENT DRAMATURGY | |||
| LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award: | Kevin Harris | Western Washington University | |
| KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE LEADERSHIP FELLOWS | |||
| Meritorious Achievement | Alexis Elisa Macedo | CSU Fresno | |
| Leadership Fellows Alternate | Esteban Richter | UC Santa Cruz | |
| Leadership Fellows Finalist | Gwynnevere Cristobal | Humboldt State University | |
| NATIONAL PLAYWRITING PROGRAM (NPP) | |||
| Region 7 John Cauble One-Act Play Honoree: | W. Barnett Marcus | Western Washington University | “Gimme a Sign” |
| Region 7 John Cauble One-Act Play Honoree | Hope Winsor | Western Washington University | “First Step: An Ode to Wham!” |
| Region 7 Gary Garrison: | Kevin Harris | Western Washington University | “Spiked” |
| Region 7 Gary Garrison 10-Min Play Honoree | Jessica Moreland | Western Washington University | “Tidal Lock” |
| Region VII National Partners of the American Theatre Playwriting Award Honoree: | Daniel Repp | Western Washington University | “Good Heavens!” |
| STAGECRAFT INSTITUTE OF LAS VEGAS | |||
| 1 Week Internship | Kat Yo | University of Portland | |
| 1 Week Internship | Des Aguilera | Humboldt State University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Erin Sellers | Gonzaga University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Brindlge Brundage | University of Idaho | |
| 1 Week Internship | Gillian Ortega | University of Oregon | |
| 1 Week Internship | Amanda Henney | University of Oregon | |
| 1 Week Internship | Hope Bellinger | George Fox University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Erin Tsue | Gonzaga University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Johnathan Billington | George Fox University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Mason Dill | Colorado State University | |
| 1 Week Internship | David Juarez | CSU East Bay | |
| 1 Week Internship | Alex Campbell | CSU East Bay | |
| 1 Week Internship | Desiree Galvez | CSU East Bay | |
| 1 Week Internship | Sarah LePiere | Colorado State University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Morgan Lessman | Colorado State University | |
| 1 Week Internship | Anthony DeCosmo | Colorado State University | |
| Don Childs Cross-Discipline Collaboration Award | David Juarez, Alex Campbell, Desiree Galvez |
CSU East Bay | Blood At the Root |
| Don Childs Cross-Discipline Collaboration Award | Sarah LePierre, Morgan Lessman, Anthony DeCosmo |
Colorado State University | Concord Floral |
| THEATRE DESIGN TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (DTM) | |||
| Legacy Award for Excellence: 1st Time Presenter | Rachel Gulotta | Lewis Clark State College | |
| SPAM: “Society of Properities Artisan Managers” Award for Excellence in Properties Design | Rachael Fry | Boise State University | A Christmas Carol |
| Vectorworks Award for Design, Technology, and Management | Johnathan Billington | George Fox University | |
| *Allied Design Honorable Mention – Puppet Design | Kimberlee Wilson | American River College | Lysistrata |
| Allied Design Honorable Mention- Unapologetic Theatre: Found Object Crafting – Honorable Mention | Bob Tait | Boise State University | A Christmas Carol |
| Allied Design – Regional Award for Achievement | Kat Yo | University of Portland | The Imoogi Myth |
| Randy Lutz Allied Design & Technology Award (formerly the National Award for Excellence in Allied Crafts) | Brindle Brundage | University of Idaho | The Moors |
| Innovation in Digital Theatre Production | Sara LePiere | Colorado State University | Concord Floral |
| Innovation in Design for Community Engagement and Social Justice | Kat Yo | University of Portland | Where is Home |
| MUSICAL THEATRE AUDITION SCHOLARSHIP (MTSA) | |||
| Open Jar Scholarship Recipient | Hannah Verdi | University of Idaho | |
| Meritorious Achievement: | Alisa Muench | Central Washington University | |
| Musical Theatre Scholarship Finalist | Hannah Verdi | University of Idaho | |
| NATIONAL DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY (SDC) | |||
| Meritorious Achievement: | Katie Ginther | Western Washington University | |
| Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Directing Fellowship | Erin Smith | Western Washington University | |
| INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE JOURNALISM AND ADVOCACY (ITJA) | |||
| Meritorious Achievement | Katie Schreiber | Western Washington University | |
| Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy Award | Elijah Rakha-Sheketoff | Western Washington University | |
| NATIONAL PLAYWRITING PROGRAM (NPP) | |||
| Scenic Design – Honorable Mention | Xander Claypool | Gonzaga University | Antigone |
| Future Promise in Scenic Design – Honorable Mention | Amanda Henney | Univeristy of Oregon | The Rocky Horror Show |
| Future Promise in Scenic Design – Honorable Mention | Gillian Ortega | Univeristy of Oregon | Hedda Gabler |
| Scenic Design – Regional Award for Achievement | Maxi Muessig | University of Oregon | Sons of the Profits |
| Scenic Design – Barbizon National Award for Excellence in Scenic Design | Brindle Brundage | University of Idaho | The Revolutionists |
| Costume Design – Honorable Mention | Erin Sellers | Gonzaga University | Saints at the Rave |
| Costume Design – Honorable Mention | Amber MacLean | Santa Rosa Junior College | Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express |
| Costume Design – Regional Award for Achievement | Alexa Schluchter | George Fox University | Passage by Christopher Chen |
| Costume Design – Barbizon National Award for Excellence in Costume Design | Emily Feil | CSU East Bay | Pericles, Prince of Tyre |
| Lighting Design – Honorable Mention | Johnathan Billington | George Fox University | Silent Sky |
| Lighting Design – Honorable Mention | Erin Tsue | Gonzaga University | Divine Fallacy |
| Lighting Design – Regional Award for Achievement | Desiree Galvez | CSU East Bay | Blood at the Root |
| Lighting Design – Barbizon National Award for Excellence in Lighting Design | Kat Yo | University of Portland | The Dragon |
| Sound Design – Honorable Mention | Kira Dean | Gonzaga University | Saints at the Rave |
| Sound Design – Regional Award for Achievement | Hope Bellinger | George Fox University | The Passage |
| Sound Design – KCACTF National Award for Excellence in Sound Design | Andrew Yoder | University of Idaho | The Moors |
| IREEN RYAN SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION | |||
| Irene Ryan VASTA | Gillian Rains | Sacramento City College | |
| Irene Ryan Alternate | Bailey Patterson | University of Wyoming | |
| Irene Ryan Award | Katarina Tyler | University of Wyoming | #NAME? |