KC/ACTF Regionals 2007

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     Sixteen Theatre at Southeastern students traveled to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the Region VI Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival.  Among the group were seven students nominated from previous productions by Theatre at Southeastern to compete in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions.  Each acting nominee prepared two scenes with a partner and one monologue for the competition.  The main focus of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions is to celebrate the nation's finest student actors and the craft that enables them to create compelling and truthful characterizations.  

     Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation of Encino, California, has awarded scholarships to the outstanding student performers at each regional festival.  These scholarships are made possible by the generosity of the late Irene Ryan who is best remembered for her portrayal of the lovable and feisty 'Granny Clampett' in The Beverly Hillbillies.  All student actors in both Participating and Associate productions are eligible for consideration for these $500 regional scholarships.

     Out of the one hundred and forty college students that competed, the Theatre at Southeastern students returned triumphant.  Junior Acting/Directing major Travis Barnhart with senior Acting/Directing and Musical Theatre major Chase Jackson (partner) made it to finals.  Junior Technical Theatre and Occupational Safety major Catherine Brunet with freshman Acting/ Directing and Musical Theatre major Chris Page (partner) made it to semi-finals.

     Student designers also presented their work from previous productions in competition with other students from six different states.  Theatre Graduate student James Fletcher received Runner-up in Promotional Graphics Design, senior Acting/Directing and Technical Theatre/Design major Heather Whitsell received Honorable Mention in Make-Up Design, and senior Acting/Directing and Technical Theatre/Design major Noah Crissman received Honorable Mention in Lighting Design.

            “KC/ACTF is a great way to meet people who do what you do.  It was a lot of fun and an awesome experience,” said Barnhart.  “Overall, the students represented Theatre at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in the best way possible and are already getting excited for next year’s competition,” says Dell McLain.