Missouri Western State University theatre students fared well at the Region V Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival in Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 20-26. The theatre and cinema program sent 21 students to the festival representing nominees from several recent productions: “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “J.B.” and “Annie.”
The production of “J.B.,” a modern retelling of the Biblical story of Job by Archibald MacLeish, was honored with regional awards. Shaun Allison, senior theatre and cinema major from Milan, Mo., received honorable mention for lighting design. Grant Adkins, from Camden Point, Mo., won second place for sound design. Adkins graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems, and has been accepted into the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Master of Fine Arts program in sound design.
“These students were recognized for their exemplary work out of the more than 300 productions represented from universities and colleges across the region,” said Tee Quillin, assistant professor of theatre and cinema and “J.B.” director. “The university community should be very proud of their accomplishment.”
Two recent graduates also had success at the festival. Jeremy Edwards, of Kidder, Mo., who graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Theatre and Video and a Bachelor of Arts in English, participated in professional auditions and received two callbacks from professional companies interested in his work. Kyle Minx, of Grain Valley, Mo., who graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music Education, was one of ten finalists in the entire region to perform in the Musical Theatre Intensive Cabaret Performance.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.