December brings about thoughts of finals, winter break, and fun for college students everywhere. Plans to spend time with family or to escape from campus dance like enticing sugar plums in everyone's heads. The minds of students in the St. Ambrose Theatre Department however, are dancing with something else: Preparations for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
KCACTF is a nationwide festival that showcases and helps celebrate the best and brightest of collegiate theatre. St. Ambrose theatre students will be participating in the Region 5 (including colleges and universities from Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota) festival in Minnesota in January. With such a talented department, St. Ambrose will have more than its fair share of representation, including students participating in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, Musical Theatre Intensive, Devised Theatre, Technical Team Challenge, and many more workshops and events.
Throughout the past year, a KCACTF respondent came to observe mainstage productions and chose Irene Ryan Scholarship nominees. Two, or in the case of Commedia Dell'Arte, three, nominees are chosen for each mainstage production for their outstanding acting abilities and stage presence. The two nominees from each show must pick a partner and prepare two scenes and a monologue or song for the various rounds of the competition. Of course, with such a huge honor, students are inspired to perform well and make their department proud.
"I've had so much fun picking scenes with characters I wouldn't normally have the chance to play," said Junior Rachael Pribulsky. "I cannot wait to show off my stuff with my acting partner, (Senior) Becca Brazel at KCACTF!"
The Musical Theatre Intensive has quickly become a popular event for students at St. Ambrose. Competitors are allowed to choose a musical theatre song and perform it to the best of their abilities, showing their skills in singing, acting, and movement. Last year, then-senior Molly Conrad '15 made it to the final round of competition with her rendition of "You Don't Know This Man," from Parade and was able to perform in the final showcase on the Guthrie Stage. This year, many students are busy preparing solo and group pieces to perform to show off not only their acting, but singing and sense of musicality as well. Here's hoping for a successful and entertaining experience!
Devised theatre students are tasked with the job of creating a story from a single line prompt. This year's prompt is "The Past and Future Collide." Because of its free creative reign, many students find devised theatre to be a rewarding experience that allows them to work on not only performing, but making a show together as a group. Professor Dan Rairdin-Hale is very excited to work with the devised theatre students this year, and to help them create what is sure to be an intriguing scene.
Last, but certainly not least, the Tech Team will compete for the Region-famous Golden Crescent Wrench Award. Last year's tech team made it all the way to the final round of competition, and is hoping to do the same this year. Members of this year's team include Senior Amanda Zweibohmer, Juniors Allie Stecklein and Jackson Greene, and First Year Hannah Donovan. Good luck to all St. Ambrose students and break a leg at the festival!
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