St. Ambrose University theatre students garnered a slew of awards in January at the Regional Kennedy Center's American College Theatre Festival in Overland, Kan.
Hundreds of students at colleges large and small from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota compete in the ACTF for the top collegiate honors in theatre in both performance and technical areas. This year, Ambrose took first place, for the second consecutive time, for the Golden Wrench Technical Award in the Stagecrew Showdown. Recent alumna Sarah Ulloa took the festival's Best Musical Theatre Performance Award, and senior Dan Hernandez snagged the Best Acting Scene Partner Award.
Ambrose also made an unprecedented showing in the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting competition as the only college to have three students-senior Katie McCormack, Ulloa, and another recent alumna, Jaci Entwistle-advance to the final round competition.
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This article was in the Theatre Newsletter:St. Ambrose University students won top honors during the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Region V Theater Festival. The audition-only competition was held in Overland Park, Kansas, and more than 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students were in attendance from seven states.
Seven St. Ambrose Irene Ryan nominees competed in a field of 400 for the scholarship award that recognizes outstanding student performers: This year, St. Ambrose took seven Irene Ryan nominees to the festival: Stephanie Seward, Grace Allen, Andrew Benson, Katie McCormack, and recent alumni Emily Kurash, Sarah Ulloa and Jaci Entwisle. Four Ambrose students advanced to the semi-finals and three continued to the final round, the largest showing of any school. Student Dan Hernandez won the Best Partner award in the semifinals, and Sarah Ulloa won the Final Round Best Musical Theatre Performance award.
A St. Ambrose team of four students competed in the "Stage Crew Showdown," a competition to complete several technical-related events. The finals included teams from St. Ambrose; Iowa State University, Ames; and North Dakota State University, Fargo. For the second successive year, St. Ambrose students won the competition and were awarded the "Golden Wrench" award. Team members included students Daniel Conlin, Tyler Reinert and Josh Tipsword, and alumnus Jaci Entwisle.
Additionally, St. Ambrose received four Certificates of Merit. For the production of "Sweeney Todd," student Josh Tipsword received a certificate for stage management and pneumatics design, and faculty member Keith Haan received a certificate for musical direction. For the production of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," student Tyler Reinert received a certificate for stage management and SAU alumnus Joe Goodall received a certificate for lighting design.
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