Wooster students receive regional and national awards at theatre conference

Theatre and Dance students at The College of Wooster attended the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival’s Region II Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from Jan. 14-18. The four-day conference drew attendees from colleges and universities across eight states and Washington, D.C., where students showcased their work in the arts and took part in a variety of professional development opportunities. Six Wooster students received regional and national awards for their work in areas of theatre including acting, directing, costume design, and more. 

Morgan Hunter ’25, an English and theatre and dance major, received a national award for her costume design in the 2024 Spring Dance Concert and will attend the KCACTF National Festival in April to present her work at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.  The dance piece, titled Cassandra, was choreographed by Josie Fleishel ’26 and focused on the Greek myth of Cassandra, applying its themes to modern women. In creating costumes for the five dancers, Hunter took inspiration from ancient Greek statues and worked to ensure that the costumes reflected both beauty and strength.  

To win the award, Hunter had to present about her costumes and design process in front of a panel of judges.

“I am still speechless over this award. I have been sewing since I was a very young child, but it wasn’t until I came to college that I started to explore the world of costume construction, alteration, and design,” Hunter said. “At Wooster, I have been lucky enough to receive mentorship and encouragement from Suwatana Rockland and the entire Department of Theatre and Dance, and through this, I have had many opportunities to both further my education and find my creative voice.”

Hunter also received several regional awards, including a Certificate of Merit for her ten-minute play, Chorus Anonymous, and a Student Worker Award for her participation as part of the festival’s Student Advisory Board. 

Other students who received awards include Amy Falk ’24, a computer science major and theatre and dance minor, who was a finalist for the conference’s Stage Directors and Choreographers Society Directing Initiative, recognizing excellence in directing. Lily Bulman ’25, majoring in theatre and dance and global media and digital studies, received a Student Worker Award for her work as a social media intern for the festival. Theatre and dance major Cam Love ’25 was a semi-finalist in the Irene Adler Acting Scholarship competition, recognizing outstanding student performers who want to receive further education in the arts. Abigail Rahz ’25, a theatre and dance major, received two awards for their participation in the Pressure Cooker 24-Hour Theatre Showcase: The Most Creative Application of the Prompt award and the Best Collaboration award. Ariana Goodwin ’26, also majoring in theatre and dance, was the runner-up in the KCACTF-LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellowship competition, which works to cultivate the next generation of artistic and administrative leaders, with a specific focus on women and people of color. Additionally, stage manager Andi Harvey ’27, majoring in communication studies and theatre and dance, and the costume crew of Wooster’s fall production of Boeing, Boeing each received a Certificate of Merit for their work on the show. 

Opportunities like attendance at the Kennedy Center festival help students advance their skills in the performing arts, gain confidence in their abilities, and network with others in the theatre industry. “I firmly believe that without my time at Wooster nor my experiences at KCACTF, I would not be on the path I am on now,” Hunter said. “Through KCACTF, I have been able to grow my professional network, build a group of friends and colleagues, and most importantly engage with more niche and advanced education on aspects of theatre that may not be otherwise available to me.” 

Featured Image: Twenty students and faculty members attended the Kennedy Center’s Region II festival, with six students winning regional and national awards.

Images provided by The College of Wooster Department of Theatre and Dance.

Posted in Experiential Learning, News on March 3, 2025.