USU Theatre Arts Students Advance to National Arena Again

Theatre arts students at Utah State University returned from a regional conference with a number of top awards — a tradition for the USU students, especially in the design and technical areas. The awards are a result of the hands-on experience the students receive, often at the undergraduate level.

“The theatre arts department maintains an aggressive production calendar that turns out some of the best student designers in the nation,” said acting department head Dennis Hassan, who also heads the set design program in the department. “The program is built on a solid reputation for being both creatively open and technically adept.”

 

The department’s philosophy and programs were reinforced as its students continued the tradition of excellence at the 2006 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). Held on the Southern Utah University campus in Cedar City Feb. 14-18, the regional festival provided rewards for members of the theatre arts department team.

 

At the regional conference two students in each discipline win either the National (first place) or Regional (second place) awards.

 

Kay Townsend, Macy Perrone and Caress Burgado all topped the competition in their respective categories, earning a trip to the national festival, held in Washington D.C. There they will compete with winners from other regions.

 

Townsend took home top billing for her makeup work in Utah State Theatre’s production of Macbeth (2005). Perrone earned the national prize for her costume design in Comedy of Errors (2005). Bergado’s set design for Sleepy Hollow (2005) paved her way to Washington D.C.

 

Amanda Profaizer earned the regional award for her costume design for Sleepy Hollow. Profaizer was the 2004 national award winner for costume design.

 

KCACTF is a venue for top theater students throughout the region, and is the scene where students excel.

 

According to Shawn Fisher, associate professor of theatre technology at Utah State, the event serves as a measure of the talent the department has.

 

“The exhibition and competition includes schools from California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah and this year welcomed approximately 30 universities including BYU, Arizona State and several of the Cal State universities,” he said. “Utah State University is extremely proud of its students.”

 

This year Utah State University entered six designs, all of which were advanced to the final round of judging in four categories.

 

“The students really stunned the room by winning four awards, including three at the national level,” Fisher said. “I think our students really have something to be proud of.”

 

The festival is a vital resource for students in their pursuit of creating for the stage. Fisher stresses the significant learning that takes place during the experience.

 

“The newest students in the fields of set, costume, lighting, makeup and sound design get to see and learn from some of the best student designers in the region, while receiving feedback from a panel of professionals,” Fisher said. “The more experienced competitors get to present their work in hopes of winning national awards. It is a rare opportunity for artists to compare their skills to those of their peers. Those who rise to the top gain valuable insights, experience and national recognition for their work.”

 

Townsend, Perrone and Burgado take their exceptional work to Washington D.C. in April and hope to prove their skills on the next level.

 

“Winning this award and going to the Kennedy Center is such an honor,” said Perrone. “I am so excited and very humbled by the opportunity. I can’t wait to go and share my work with other people in the industry and get the chance to learn from other designers.”