Sonja Hethcote at the Kennedy Center

Sonja Hetchcote with Kate Snodgrass, National Vice Chair of Playwriting, and Mark Kuntz, National Vice Chair of KC/ACTF

Adam Driver

Kevin Grow and Brenda Barrie

Acheivements

Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Participation

The University of Indianapolis Department of Theatre is very active in the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival, a national organization that sponsors regional festivals throughout the United States. In January of 1998 and 1999 we cohosted (with Franklin College) the Region III festival in Indianapolis, which was attended by over 1,100 particpants both years. We typically have our productions adjudicated by respondents sent by the region.

In 2003, Junior Theatre major Sonja Hethcote competed against undergraduate and graduate theatre students from across the United States and was awarded the KC/ACTF's top stage management honor: the National Stage Management Fellowship. Sonja was invited to compete in stage management at Region III in Evansville in early January, 2003 on the basis of her work with the university’s production of Lover’s Ledge. At the regional festival, she stage managed a 10-minute student written play which led to her selection as the Region III representative to the national competition. After extensive interviews and submission of materials to the national festival, she was chosen from among the eight regional winners in stage management to receive the national distinction. The award took her to the national festival in Washington, D.C April 15-19, 2003, where she stage-managed the eight winners of the student 10-Minute Play Festival.

In January, 2008, the Department of Theatre was invited to perform our production of Neil Labute's The Shape of Things at the Region III Festival held at Cardinal Stritch and Marquette Universities. The production was one of 11 chosen from 35 entries in a five-state region. Over 30 students, faculty and staff travelled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where we performed two well-attended performances. The Shape of Things was directed by Theatre faculty, Cate Moran with scenic design by our Staff Production Manager/Technical Director, Jeffrey Barnes, and sound design by Department Chair, Jim Ream. Click HERE for more information

In January, 2005, the Department of Theatre earned an invitation to perform our production of Samuel Beckett's Endgame at the Region III Festival held at Illinois State University. The production was one of only 12 chosen from 54 entries from the region. Over 30 students, faculty and staff travelled to Bloomington/Normal, Illinois where we performed to three sold-out houses. Endgame was directed by Brad Wright, Director of Theatre. In addition, several University of Indianapolis students also received individual honors at the festival. Kristin Fife and Kristen Sollenberger were awarded Certificates of Merit for their costume and make-up designs for Endgame. After the festival performances, the KCACTF National Selection Committee recognized Rissa Guffey for her lighting design, Joshua McKee for his properties design, Kristin Fife for her costume design, Kristin Sollenberger for her hair/make-up design, Jeffrey Barnes (Department Production Manager/Technical Director) for technical direction, and the entire production design. We are very proud of this national recognition. Amanda Gwin was nominated to take part as stage manager in the ten-minute play competition for her work on the UIndy production of Pippin. Click HERE for more information.

We are very proud that senior Theatre major Ron Popp's original play Coming Home, which was originally produced as part of our Student Directed Productions in April, 2001, was selected to be remounted at the ACTF Festival in January, 2002 in Evansville, Indiana. We are further pleased that the original production was directed by then senior Mark Michalak, who returned to UIndy from Chicago in December, 2001 to prepare Coming Home for production at the festival. The company of 35 cast, crew, faculty, staff, and friends spent a busy six days at the festival. The show was a great success and the national selection committee asked Coming Home to "hold" production materials for possible performance at the national festival, however, the production did not advance to the national competition in April at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C. Click HERE for more information.

Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition Success

Part of the KC/ACTF adjudication is the selection of nominees to participate in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition at the regional festivals. We are very proud of all the students who have represented the University of Indianapolis.

In 2008, Jeffrey Dalstrom and his partner Kathryn Reinhardt, Alex Oberheide and his partner Chelsey Wood, Chelsea Anderson and her partner Lucas Souder, Karla Carter and her partner Stephanie Kucsera, and Ryan O'Shea and her partner Emma Davis represented the University of Indianapolis in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition. Jeffrey and Kathryn, and Alex and Chelsey advanced to the final round of 16 out of over 270 competitors. The competition was part of the Region III Festival in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 2007, Courtney Bianchi and her partner Sam Fain, Jeffrey Dalstrom and his partner Chelsea Anderson, Ryan O'Shea and her partner Seth Chambers, Lucas Souder and his partner Karla Carter, John Waller and his partner Jasmine Nears, Jennette Wright and her partner Sam Fain, represented the University of Indianapolis in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition at the Region III Festival in Milwaukee, WI.

In 2006, Sam Fain and his partner, Christopher Redmon, represented the University of Indianapolis in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition at the Region III Festival in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Sam and Christopher advanced to the semi-final round of 48 out of over 350 competitors. Karla Carter and her partner, Lucas Souder, Ryan O'Shea and her partner, Joanna Cate, and Chris McKay and his partner, Christopher Redmon, also represented UIndy well in the competition.

In 2005, Adam Driver and his partner, Christopher Redmon, represented the University in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition at the Region III Festival in Bloomington/Normal, Illinois. Adam and Christopher advanced to the final round of 16 out of over 450 competitors. Joanna Cate and her partner, Nikki Grotenhuis, Sam Fain and his partner, Bethany Lillis, Courtney Bianchi and her partner, Ryan O'Shea, and Brian Glunt and his partner, Delia Neylon also participated in the competition.

In 2002, Ron Popp and his partner, Sonja Carpenter, advanced to the semi-final round in Evansville, Indiana. Jennifer Childers and her partner, Jaime Smith, also participated in the competition.

In 2001, both Kevin Grow and Brenda Barrie, with their partners Nick Carpenter and Kashun Howell, advanced to the semi-final round of the competition in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1998, Susan Miles and in 1996, Jenni White advanced to the semi-final round of the competition.

Barbizon Design Competition and Stage Management Competition Success

Design Students may compete for Barbizon Awards for Theatrical Design Excellence and Stage Management students may compete in the National and Regional Stage Management Competition. Click HERE for more information about the Design competitions and click HERE for information about the Stage Management Competitions.

In 2008, David West presented his hair/make-up design from The Shape of Things.

In 2007, Kristin Sollenberger was selected to stage manage one of the 10 Minute Plays as part of the Regional Stage Mangement Competition. She and Amanda Gwin also participated in the National Stage Management Competition.

In 2006, Lendell Ervin II advanced to the finals with his design for Once on this Island.

In 2004, Amanda Gwin was selected to stage manage one of the 10 Minute Plays as part of the Regional Stage Mangement Competition.

Click HERE for a more complete list of recent Design and Stage Management entries.

KC/ACTF Certificates of Merit

The KCACTF respondents may award Certificates of Merit for particularly outstanding work in any area of the theatre.

The following have received Certificates of Merit:

Christopher Redmon - Music Composition	The Trojan Women	2006
Kristin Fife - Costume Design	Endgame	2005
Brian Glunt & Lindsey Hill - Choreography	Pippin	2005
Kristin Sollenberger - Hair/Make-up Design	Endgame	2005
Jared Duymovic - Sound Design	Wait Until Dark	2004
Rissa Guffey - Lighting Design	Wait Until Dark	2004
Jeska Morrow & Liz Spaeth - Set Design	Lover's Ledge	2002

Departmental Awards

Every year, the Department of Theatre presents several awards to outstanding students at the Theatre Senior Recognition Banquet. In the past these awards have included individual recognition for outstanding work in a particular role, position of responsibility, etc. Most of these awards were voted on by the students, faculty and staff of the department. Trophies were presented and plaques bearing the winners' names are displayed in the department. In 2002-2003, to better recognize our emphasis on academic excellence, the awards evolved into achievement awards in several areas. The "Alfred Edyvean, Sr. Freshman Award for Academic Excellence in Theatre" is awarded to the freshmen Theatre or Theatre Teaching major earning the highest GPA. The "Allen B Kellogg Senior Award for Academic Excellence in Theatre" is awarded to the graduating senior Theatre or Theatre Teaching major who has maintained the highest GPA through graduation. The Albert Brinson Award for Ministry through Drama is given in recognition of a student, faculty/staff member, or alum who best exhibits the use of ministry through drama. And finally, the coveted "Golden Hammer Award for Significant Breakage or Downright Clumsiness" is awarded to the student who has broken, destroyed, and/or ruined the most significant or greatest amount of equipment or material. This includes breakage of oneself.