Westfield State Theatre Students and Faculty Earn Top Honors at KCACTF Region 1 Festival

Students and faculty at Westfield State University's Theatre Arts Department have recently won prestigious awards for their creativity, artistry, and commitment to theatrical excellence at the Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). 

Presenting her Stage Management Binder for the University's RENT production in the spring of 2024, Carolyn Abraham received recognition for her outstanding stage management efforts. Abraham won the Regional BY THE BOOK Stage Management Award for her painstaking attention to detail and dedication to creating a secure and welcoming rehearsal environment while speaking with and interviewing professional Actors' Equity Stage Managers. She also received the title of First Alternate for Excellence in Stage Management, which would allow her to represent Region 1 at the National KCACTF in Washington, D.C.

In the festival's Design, Technology, and Management (DTM) Student Exhibit, Nick Dumais presented his Sound Design and Music Compositions for Westfield State's production of Twelfth Night or What You Will in the fall of 2024. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions with The Jane Childs DTM Legacy Award, which honors new DTM participants. In recognition of this achievement, Dumais will be given a copy of Robert Edmond Jones's book The Dramatic Imagination, which highlights the more profound artistic intent of theatrical design.

A complete scenographic concept for Shakespeare's Macbeth, created in the University's THEA 152 Scenography course, was presented by Ryan Wickline, who was honored for his innovative approach to scenic design. He was recognized with the Regional Achievement in Scenography Award, which honors exceptional theatrical design work, for his imaginative execution.

Along with student achievement, the National Alliance of Acting Teachers, in collaboration with KCACTF, presented Professor of Theatre Arts, Eric Parness with the First Annual Acting Teacher of Excellence Award. Acting teachers who exhibit outstanding instruction and a dedication to their craft are honored with this award. A certificate of excellence, a one-year membership in the National Alliance, and an invitation to the National Alliance of Acting Teachers’ Congress at Juilliard this June were all given to Parness in recognition of this accomplishment. The winner will receive a fully funded fellowship for a Teacher Development Program in New York or Los Angeles, and a national finalist will be revealed at the National KCACTF Festival in April.

"These incredible achievements at the Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival are a testament to the talent, dedication, and passion of our students and faculty,” James McNamara, Chair and Professor of Lighting and Sound Design in the University’s Theatre Arts Department. “The Theatre Arts Department faculty and staff work to create an environment where students can develop their unique artistic voice, refine their technical skills, and collaborate at the highest level. Seeing our students recognized for their excellence in stage management, sound design, and scenography, and our faculty honored for outstanding teaching, demonstrates the lasting impact of theatre education. We are so proud of the way our program empowers students to grow as artists, storytellers, and leaders in their field."