Grand Valley theatre students attend national festival

When 20 Grand Valley State University theatre students arrived in Milwaukee for the Region 3 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, they were only another group in a sea of competition.

"By the time we left, Grand Valley was a known name in the world of theatre," said student Katrina Niemisto, who directed one of the 10-minute plays.

The national theater program involves students from colleges and universities nationwide and serves as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.

Whitney Hershberger led her team in winning the first ever Design Storm competition, where teams of four are assigned a play and required to develop plans for a set, costumes, lighting and direction, and then present their ideas to a panel of judges.

Ten Grand Valley students took part in the Irene Ryan acting competition, which involves two scenes and a monologue. Scott Watson and partner Nancee Moes reached the semi-finals.

Certificate of Merit winners included Hannah Gaff, Josh King, Brit Shea and Sara Vasquez, for their work in makeup, costume, set and lighting design, as well as directing, stage managing and acting in shows at Grand Valley during the past year.

Grand Valley visiting assistant professor Ian Borden accompanied the students to the competition. He is a certified teacher from the Society of American Fight Directors and conducted two stage combat workshops.

"This was our largest and most successful contingent of Grand Valley students ever at the festival," said Borden. "I'm glad they have been so wonderfully recognized for their efforts."

For more information contact Ian Borden in Grand Valley's School of Communications at (616) 331-8076.