UCA Theatre?s production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons) by Christopher Hampton, was recently honored at the Arkansas Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The festival was held Nov. 1-5 at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia. Ten universities and colleges from across the state presented plays during the week-long festival.
Awards for Excellence in Directing went to Chris Fritzges, stage director of the production, Excellence in Sound Design went to Dr. Greg Blakey, Director of Theatre, and Excellence in Lighting Design went to David Dawson, Technical Director. Awards were also presented to UCA theatre students Kellie Sorrows of Benton for Excellence in Set Design and Bob Kuhn of Marion for Excellence in Costume Design.
The production was honored with the KCACTF Region VI Committee Choice Award. This assures that the production will be considered for presentation at the Region VI KCACTF festival to be held in Tulsa, Okla. in February.
In addition, UCA theatre students received numerous acting awards. Courtney Bennett of Little Rock, Taylor Galloway of Maumelle, and Heather Hooten of Conway all received Irene Ryan nominations for their work in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Lacy Dunn of North Little Rock and Chad Bradford of Little Rock received Irene Ryans for their work in UCA Theatre?s production of Hamlet.
These students will compete against approximately 400 other students from Region VI for a chance to win the Irene Ryan National Scholarship and appear at the Kennedy Center. UCA Theatre has had two students appear at the Kennedy Center during the annual KCACTF national festival and has had one national winner, Nisi Sturgis, of Conway.
The KCACTF encourages, recognizes and celebrates the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs across the country. Region VI includes Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, and New Mexico. Seven plays will be chosen from this five state area to perform at the Region VI festival. The winner of the Region VI festival will be invited to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in April, 2006.
UCA Theatre has consistently been honored with awards through the KCACTF. The Theatre program has received the Director?s Choice, Critic?s Choice, or Regional Committee Choice award in 9 of the past 11 years. Since 1997, three productions have been presented at the Region VI festival including Royal Gambit, The Shape of Things, and the original play, Adult American Males, written by former theatre student Graham Gordy.
