Grand Valley theatre students attend national festival
ALLENDALE, Mich. - 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.
Grand Valley theatre students attend national festival
Jan 21, 2008
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