CURRENT REGIONAL NEWSLETTER
February 11, 2024
REGISTRATION & WHOVA
There’s still time to REGISTER for the Festival 56 – February 18-23, 2024 in Spokane, WA – Click HERE
• REMINDER – Full week registration is REQUIRED In order to compete in Festival Events!
• $40 Day passes for Tuesday and Wednesday will be released later this week.
o Individuals coming solely to run their Invited productions and Showcase productions do not require a daily ticket unless those individuals are planning to participate in more than their individual productions.
o Any person attending Invited productions and Showcase productions must have a festival badge as well as a ticket for that specific production.
• DOWNLOAD THE WHOVA APP to start planning your schedule (You should have received information via email)!
UPCOMING DEADLINES
• February 5 – Deadline to submit for Dramaturgy Initiative
• February 12 – Deadline to upload music for the Musical Theatre Initiative (See details below)
• February 12 – Deadline for Devising Initiative participation please email saffron.henke@colostate.edu
• February 16 – Deadline for Next Step Audition Submissions Submit for Next Step
• February 16 – Deadline to register for Design, Tech, Management DTM Registration R7 2024
• February 17 – Register for Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy
MUSICAL THEATRE INITIATIVE
Attention All Confirmed MTI Competitors – The deadline to submit scanned audition music is Mon, Feb. 12 at 11:59pm PST!
• Students who do not submit their music by this time may be moved to the waiting list and lose their current slot in the MTI Auditions. For full instructions, please be sure you read the email sent Feb. 4, 2024
QUESTIONS? Come to our final MTI Town Hall Monday Morning!
• Please bring your questions about the music prep, the competition expectations, or anything MTI-related to our final Zoom Town Hall meeting, Monday morning, Feb. 12, 7:30am-9am MST. Drop in at any time. The zoom meeting ID # is 9162 247 947. Waitlisted students and those hoping to be on the waitlist are also welcome!
FACULTY EVENTS
In addition to all of the keynotes, workshops and competition events, we wanted to highlight a few special events for faculty during the week.
• Sunday @ 8 PM – Opening Ceremony @ Doubletree
• Monday @ 2-4 PM – Transfer Fair @ Gonzaga
• Monday @ 7 PM – Faculty Mixer – No-Host Bar @ Doubletree
• Monday-Thursday 10:30 PM-Midnight – Faculty Lounge @ Doubletree Presidential Suite
• Wednesday @ 7 PM – Faculty Awards @ Doubletree
PACKING TIPS
Weather in Spokane Feb 18-23, 2024 – Low of 32 Degrees – High of 47 with snow and rain possible.
• For the Week
o Bring Layers! Gloves, Scarves, Boots and Hats encouraged.
• Special Events
o Tuesday Night – Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Death – Audience is welcome to dress in ’93-era costume
o Thursday Night – Late Night Cabaret – Costumes and/or glamour—with a splash of RED—encouraged!
o Friday Morning – Closing Ceremony – Travel Attire (comfortable) – Track suits encouraged.
SHOWCASE PRODUCTIONS 2024
This year our Region VII Showcase Productions are (virtual drum roll please!!!):
What the Constitution Means to Me: by Heidi Schreck – Fifteen-year-old Heidi Schreck paid her college tuition by speaking in debate competitions across the country; now older, she tells the story of four generations of extraordinary women in her family whose lives were shaped by the Constitution.
Presented by Idaho Repertory Theatre – Tuesday @ 8 PM Conference Center Theatre
Content warning: “What the Constitution Means to Me” contains mentions of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and discussions of abortion and its stigmatization.
Pass Over: by Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu – A provocative riff on Waiting for Godot, Pass Over is a rare piece of politically charged theater by a bold new American voice.
Presented by Stage Left Theatre – Wednesday @ 8 PM Conference Center Theatre
Content warning: Contains very strong, racially-loaded language, adult themes, gunshots and racial violence.
***This production is made possible through generous contributions by The University of Idaho, Western Washington University, Idaho State University (Vanessa Ballam), Contra Costa College and R7 RED.***
TICKETS FOR INVITED AND SHOWCASE PRODUCTIONS
This year we have performances happening on both Tuesday and Wednesday at 4 PM and 8 PM.
• Seating is limited for these productions – You must have a ticket to be admitted to the productions!
• Tickets will be available starting at 8 AM the day of the production at the registration booth in the convention center. You must bring your badge to collect a ticket. Only one ticket per badge.
February 4, 2024
JOIN US!
• There’s still time to REGISTER for the Festival 56 – February 18-23, 2024 in Spokane, WA!!!!! Click HERE.
UPCOMING DEADLINES
• February 5 – Deadline to submit for Dramaturgy Initiative
• February 9 – Deadline to register & submit for Irene Ryan Competition Irene Ryan Registration R7 2024
• February 12 – Deadline for Devising initiative participation please email saffron.henke@colostate.edu
• February 16 – Deadline for Next Step Audition Submissions Submit for Next Step
• February 16 – Deadline to register for Design, Tech, Management DTM Registration R7 2024
• February 17 – Register for Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy
DESIGN, TECH, MANAGEMENT
• Join the DTM Town hall via Zoom February 7th, from 6:30-7:30PM MST. Bring your questions about the expo, response sessions, and what to prepare.
• DTM is accepting registrations until February 16th. Students who wish to register for the expo need to register for the festival first. Please enter your festival registration confirmation number as your registration number on the DTM form.
• DTM is accepting digital Stage Management books. Please see the DTM website for more information.
NEXT STEP
This year KCACTF Region 6 and Region 7 are delighted to combine efforts to offer auditions to connect students with hiring companies and graduate-level programs. Actors, musicians, and technicians may submit videos and digital portfolios to be seen by select companies and programs. Submissions are due Pre-festival – February 16, 2024.
All Submissions should include:
• A Resume
• Technicians- Digital Portfolio
• Performers- A headshot and video audition.
o Audition Videos
• Auditions should be no longer than 2 minutes and must be uploaded to YouTube or Vimeo and a link must then be provided with the Submission Form.
• Auditions should include 1 song and 1 monologue or 2 monologues.
PRODUCTION RESPONSE – WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The foundation of KCACTF is production response. Effective theater is assessed by its ability to involve audiences in an experience that is both stimulating & illuminating, which emphasizes the spoken word; physical interpretation of the text; genuine emotions; And relationships between characters. There are many reasons to enter a production in KCACTF Region 7, the most important being that students receive feedback on their work from a visiting professional respondent.
Did you know:
• Production entry is one of the primary funding sources making our yearly festival possible.
• Schools wishing to participate in KCACTF should enter at least one production for response during the calendar year.
• There is no limit to the number of productions a school may enter in the festival.
• Productions may be registered in the KCACTF at any time during the year.
• Productions entered in the KCACTF represent the work of faculty and students of the individual university and college theater departments; qualify students for awards; and give faculty, student directors, and student designers experience visibility, and responses from colleagues outside the home institution.
INVITED PRODUCTIONS 2024
This year our Region VII Invited Productions are (virtual drum roll please!!!):
CURSED: The House of Atreus by Carlos-Manuel Chavarria presented by Contra Costa College
Cursed is a theatrical ensemble piece based on the different myths telling the story of “The House of Atreus” and the curses that plagued their family generations. Based on a variety of Greek myths and The Oresteia by Aeschylus. The dialogue is modern and at times mixed with “some” poetic language, with references to pop culture.
Cursed Runs 2 hours including a 15-minute intermission.
Content Warnings: Being that is based on Greek mythology, are caused for content warning: suicide, incest, talk of cannibalism and violence (both not on stage).
Life X 3 by Yasmina Reza presented by Idaho State University
Life x 3 is a slice-of-life affair, tackling marriage, parenthood and professional aspirations. Actually, as the title suggests, it’s more like three views of the same slice-of-life. The events covered in this play are seen three times over, each instant replay viewed from a slightly different angle. It’s a marvelous challenge for the actors and a fascinating display for the audience.
Life x 3 Runs 100 minutes with no intermission.
Content Warnings: Strong language, verbal abuse (spousal), physical combat (spousal).
TECH OLYMPICS
Join us at Tech Olympics this year – Wednesday February 21st @ 10 PM!
Compete as a team of up to five members in technical theatre challenges in areas such as Lighting, Sound, Rigging, and Stage Management! Events will be a combination of hands-on skills tests and mental trivia games. Come and compete or cheer on your friends and classmates! Sign up at the door, no need to pre-register.
January 28, 2024
JOIN US!
• There’s still time to REGISTER for the Festival 56 – February 18-23, 2024 in Spokane, WA!!!!! Click HERE
• Hotel Announcement – Host hotel rooms are almost gone.
o If you’ve booked blocks of rooms with the host hotel and you’re planning to use them all:
• Please contact the hotel with the actual names of the people who will be staying in the rooms. This will dramatically speed up the check in process. 509-455-9600
• Not planning to use all rooms you’ve reserved? Please call the hotel to release the rooms
UPCOMING DEADLINES
• February 1 – Deadline to register for the Musical Theatre Initiative MTI Registration R7 2024
• February 1 – Deadline to submit for Scholarly Paper Initiative
• February 5 – Deadline to submit for Dramaturgy Initiative
• February 9 – Deadline to register & submit for Irene Ryan Competition Irene Ryan Registration R7 2024
• February 11 – Deadline to register for Design, Tech, Management DTM Registration R7 2024
• February 12 – Deadline for Devising initiative participation please email saffron.henke@colostate.edu
• February 16 – Deadline for Next Step Audition Submissions Submit for Next Step
• February 17 – Register for Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy
ASPIRE
Future Arts Leaders – Please consider joining the ASPIRE Arts Leadership program in Region 7!
• Do you have a creative idea about starting your own theatre company or project?
• Curious how theatre works from an administration and leadership perspective?
• Interested in leading an arts organization?
• See the Region 7 ASPIRE Arts Leadership updates for pre-festival information sessions workshop preview!
TRANSFER FAIR RETURNS!
As a part of this year’s festival events, we’re bringing back The Transfer Fair – Monday February 19 from 2-4pm in Gonzaga’s Magnuson Theatre! FREE PIZZA PROVIDED BY GONZAGA THEATRE! (Transfer Fair Flier)
• Faculty from a four-year institution interested in recruiting meeting and recruiting perspective transfer students or graduate students – Sign Up
• Students interested in transferring to four-year institutions, (and getting free pizza) – Sign Up
THE LATE NIGHT CABARET IS BACK
Don’t miss out on this year’s Cabaret Night! Category Is: RED!*
Pack that gala gown, those sequined sneakers, that drag drapery, or whatever will bring out your inner fabulosity, and sign up to perform at Thursday’s Cabaret Night!
A three-round night of musical madness will feature winners from every round, and end with a Grand Champion!
All winners will be audience-selected in this fun, festive & RED-themed* Night-at-the-Apollo-style event hosted by the Dame herself: Madame SassCrotch! Group/team-entries are welcome or take the stage solo like the Diva you are! Audience members are in the mix as well, with Wildcard Karaoke matches between each act!
This crazy night of glitzy Cabaret fun is the perfect way for everyone to celebrate the end of our amazing week!
• Signup at the Registration Table starting at 5pm Sun, Feb. 18 (space is limited)
• Accompanist is provided, so be sure to pack your sheet music.
• Numbers may be solo, duet, trio or quartet (costumes and/or glamour—with a splash of RED—encouraged!)
• All numbers must be 3 minutes or less (Approx.: Up-tempo=96 bars/Ballad=64 bars)
• Open to ALL students attending the festival
• Questions? Contact Corey Winfield – winfiec@arc.losrios.edu
*This event honors the RED (Representation, Equity, & Diversity) Initiative, its goals, members, & allies. For more info: RED info.
10 MINUTE PLAY AUDITIONS!
Monday morning the National Playwriting Program for Region VII will hold auditions for the 10 Minute Play reading festival! These will be group auditions. No need to prepare a monologue. No resumes or headshots required.
All are welcome at any level of acting experience.
• Please come to the Conference Center Theatre starting at 8:45am to get checked in and assigned sides.
• Rehearsals will be scheduled during the festival. And the final reading will be Thursday night in the hotel ballroom at 7:00pm.
RED KEYNOTE ANNOUNCED
CHANTRELL M. LEWIS M.F.A is a multi-disciplinary arts educator, published author, award-winning researcher, and artist. Lewis holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Kent State University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from The University of California, Irvine. She is a certified specialist in the social-emotional development of youth stamped by The University of California, Riverside. Lewis has been performing since she was eight years old and is an esteemed theatrical actor, classical singer, and nationally recognized performance poet. Lewis has worked as a Teaching Artist and Adjunct Professor for various educational theatre programs, including Cleveland Public Theatre Education, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Dance Arts Academy, Orange County School of the Arts, The University of California, Irvine, and the Riverside Arts Council. Notably, Lewis serves as the Executive Director of Jar of Sunshine Incorporated, a 501©(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing accessibility to literacy, wellness, and the arts in under-resourced communities. In 2023, Lewis was named a 2023-2024 CA Creative Corps Fellow, a 2023 Arts OC California Arts Council Emerging Artist Fellow, a 2023 Community Engagement Grantee, and has been named an Honoree for the 23rd Annual Arts Orange County Awards.
REGIONAL JOB LISTINGS
• The University of Idaho is hiring Clinical Professors in Lighting and Costume Design as well as a tenure track position in Musical Theatre.
o Lighting Design
o Costume Design
o Musical Theatre Tenure Track
• Fresno City College is hiring a Theatre Arts Instructor (Full-time/Tenure Track)
January 14, 2024
JOIN US!
• There’s still time to REGISTER for the Festival 56 – February 18-23, 2024 in Spokane, WA!!!!! Click HERE
• Festival Hotel rooms are still available – Book by January 20th, 2024 for the group rate.
o Book Hilton or call 509-744-2363 and ask for the rate for KCACTF. The group code is KTF.
o Why consider the festival hotel?
• Only $145 for a Double Queen Room
• 4 people per room = $36.35/night/person!!!
• The hotel is connected to the conference center = Safety, Comfort, Warmth
UPCOMING DEADLINES
• January 15 – Deadline to register to participate in Dramaturgy Dramaturgy Registration R7 2024
• January 15 – Deadline to apply to direct a NPP 10 Minute Play email Kamarie.chapman@wwu.edu
• January 20 – Deadline for SDC Directing Initiative materials email Region7SDCDirecting@gmail.com
• February 1 – Deadline to register for the Musical Theatre Initiative MTI Registration R7 2024
• February 1 – Deadline to submit for Scholarly Paper Initiative
• February 9 – Deadline to register & submit for Irene Ryan Competition Irene Ryan Registration R7 2024
• February 11 – Deadline to register for Design, Tech, Management DTM Registration R7 2024
• February 17 – Register for Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy
REGISTRATION GIVEAWAY
Interested in winning a free festival registration?
Follow us on Instagram for details!
FESTIVAL HONOREES ANNOUNCED
THE HORACE ROBINSON/JACK WATSON AWARD
The Horace Robinson/Jack Watson Award is awarded to faculty/staff who show dedication and support for their students, going above and beyond the normal duties expected of university faculty. This year’s honoree is:
A. FAJILAN (She/Her). Prof Fajilan breathes social justice into every project she works on from beginning acting classes to training future teachers to working with Elders. Throughout the early years she freelanced in the Bay Area simultaneously working for every non-profit theatre; because that is what one does in the theatre world to survive financially. Props, Publicity, Stage Manager, Production Manager, Director, Educational Outreach; wherever there were gaps to be filled. She spent eighteen years as an Instructor at City College of San Francisco where she produced the Festival of American Playwrights of Color and is now in her seventeenth year at California State University, East Bay where she started as a Multicultural Children’s Professor and morphed into a Theatre for Social Justice Professor. She created CSU Ferguson which focused on putting ” a face on the hoodie” image about murdered black bodies and a mandate for inclusivity and recognition of marginalized populations. My Damn Self and Secrets Exposed were devised productions focusing on dramatizing healing from traumatized histories. A critical component of her work includes the post show Community Circle when creatives engage with the audience about the production’s content and how we can help see each other. Currently an Emerita she continues to produce short documentaries for the youtube channels: Pilipinix Legacy Project and the US in the U.S. ensemble. She also produces the annual original script interwoven with traditional dance for the Pilipinx Consciousness Night production during the Spring Semesters.
It is curious to get an award for what I do when no one is watching, then again, I am quite delighted that you see US. This recognition belongs to all of my collaborators, colleagues, institutions and trusting students who have endured my maniacal visions.
GOLD MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE – REGION VII
The Gold Medallion honors individuals that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching & producing of theatre & who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry & enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. These recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values & goals of KCACTF & to excellence in educational theatre. The Gold Medallion is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF & is considered one of the great honors in theatre education. This year’s honoree is:
JEF PETERSEN (He/Him). Jeffrey Petersen is a director, playwright, actor, and one of the new members of the theatre faculty at Idaho State University. He was formerly at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho where he served as an instructor of theatre and technical director for the past eleven years. He is a graduate of the College of Idaho (BA), the University of Oregon (MA), and the University of Idaho (MFA).
Jef currently serves as Chair for The National Playwriting Program within The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. He has been involved with the region VII festival as a respondent, and regional officer for close to a decade. Jef has been directing for the past thirteen years in which time he’s received multiple honors from KCACTF. His newest play, Emme and the Taking of the Woods, received the National KCACTF David Mark Cohen Award in 2022.
Jef is thrilled to be part of the incredible Theatre Department in the School of Performing Arts at ISU. He would like to thank his amazing family for their support, and going on this new life journey to Pocatello. Also, thank you to ISU and Pocatello for being so welcoming.
IMPROV OLYMPICS ARE BACK
Prepare your team to perform against teams from other colleges and universities throughout Region 7. Don’t have a team but still want to play? Sign-ups will be made available Monday morning of the Festival to put together a limited number of house teams made up of individuals from all over the region. Sign-ups for house teams are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Improv Olympics will be Monday night @ 10PM following the keynote. (Winners Announced @ Friday Awards)
• Teams will be given 12 – 15 minutes to showcase their strongest improvisational abilities.
• Teams may perform a short-form set of scenes and games OR a long-form style.
• Teams will be judged by three guest judges who will use a clear improvisational rubric.
• Teams will be judged on:
o Specific and varied characters with strong points of view
o Clear environment and object work
o Group dynamic and support
o Execution of improvisational skills
o Difficulty and presentation of overall set
o General hilarity!
To pre-register email jshura@uwyo.edu. Please include school, team name, & names/pronouns of all team members.
NPP SEEKS 10 MINUTE PLAY DIRECTORS
Traditionally NPP has partnered with faculty and graduate students across the region and connected them to a playwright from the Ten-Minute Play semifinalists. This is a great opportunity to participate in the festival without a ton of extra commitment and to work and mentor a new playwright. We will need ten directors to volunteer to help cast these plays from the auditions Monday morning and then rehearse with the actors and playwright during the week. Then present a play reading (very limited blocking) on Thursday evening for the final showcase.
If this sounds like something you’d like to do, please contact Kamarie.chapman@wwu.edu.
REGIONAL JOB LISTINGS
Southern Oregon University is currently looking for a 1-year Lighting and Sound Design professor and a 1-year Technical Direction/Stagecraft professor. These 1-year appointments have the potential to turn into permanent positions for the right people.
December 8, 2023
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
JORDAN SAVUSA (He/Him) hails from the Great Aloha State of Hawai’i. He graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and since then moved to the mainland to pursue a career in theater and comedy. It led him to become a performer of The Second City, a premier comedy theater known for improvisation and sketch comedy in Chicago for the last ten years. He is currently in Second City’s critically acclaimed newest revue, “Oh The Places, You’ll Glow” When he is not performing, Jordan has taught improvisation at many theaters around Chicago, as well as playing at bluegrass jams on his five string banjo. Aloha!
JAY DUCKWORTH (He/Him) Jay has over 40 years’ experience in Off-Broadways & Broadway with many shows credit his name as Props Designer. Including Hamilton, Fun Home, Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson, Road Show, Here Lies Love, Latin History for Morons, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf and NYC’s Shakespeare in the Park from his over his decade residency at The Public Theater, He teaches at SUNY Purchase & Pace University.
FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING – REQUEST FOR SUPPORT
Hello Friends,
This year Region 7 would like to sponsor two evenings of Stage Left Theater’s production of Pass Over for our festival participants. This powerful play, written by Antoinette Nwandu, delves into the complex coping mechanisms of the Black American male experience.
Currently, we are in the process of raising funds to bring this impactful production to our KCACTF community. Already, we have received support from an esteemed institution in our region, and we are reaching out to invite other programs to join in this endeavor. Your support can make a significant difference in bringing this thought-provoking play to a wider audience and fostering important conversations. We hope you might consider contributing to this cause, aligning your program with a meaningful cultural event that resonates with our diverse community. Thank you for considering our request. Please email vanessaballam@isu.edu to express interest.
IRENE RYAN REGISTRATION IS LIVE!
Irene Ryan Registration Link R7 2024
Preliminary Round
• Students will record themselves performing TWO contrasting monologues (time limit of three minutes, total) and submit via a private YouTube link.
• Students (auditionee and partner) must have a paid registration to participate.
• The deadline for preliminary round entries are due no later than February 9th at 11:59 pm.
• Selectors will review the preliminary round submissions and make their selections before the festival.
Semi-Final Round
• Semi-finalists will be announced at the in-person Regional Festival.
• Semi-finalists will perform live at the Regional Festival, with one monologue (from the prelim round, student’s choice) and one scene (time limit of five minutes, total). This will take place on Tuesday February 20th.
• Semi-finalists will receive feedback from the Semi-Final Round Selectors after the semi-final round is complete.
• In addition to the auditions, the festival will feature workshops on auditioning/acting, etc.
• Students who do not advance to the semi-finals and are interested can participate with NPP in the Ten-Minute Play Festival, and a featured workshop track will be highlighted at the festival for these students.
Final Round
• Finalists will be announced at the Regional Festival and will perform their two contrasting monologues (from the preliminary round) as well as their scene live. The time limit is six minutes, total. This will take place on Thursday February 22nd.
• Finalists will receive feedback from the Final Round selectors after the final round performance.
Other Items
• Irene Ryan Nominees can serve as a partner for up to two other Irene Ryan Nominees.
• Singing will not be allowed, it is recommended that those interested in singing explore the musical theatre programs.
• Rules regarding Rights, Royalties, Slating, Timekeeping, and use of Props and Furniture will remain from previous years and can be found on the Additional Information page.
• All KCACTF Region 7 MTI participants must be registered for the 2024 Festival in Spokane, WA (Feb. 18 – 23) and participating students must attend the Festival as all rounds will be in person.
ASPIRE ARTS LEADERSHIP FELLOWS PROGRAM
The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theatre with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field. This diverse national cohort of fellows assembled from all of KCACTF’s eight regions will engage in topics concerning equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism as well as leadership skills building, investigation of institutional challenges, and professional networking opportunities.
One student from each of KCACTF’s eight regions will be chosen to participate in a week-long fellowship that occurs as part of the annual national convening of the American College Theater Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The curriculum is designed and led by professionals from LORT institutions in partnership with staff from the Kennedy Center and the American College Theater Festival Regional Chairs.
Applicants for the ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program are evaluated based on potential and interest to:
• Create and articulate an artistic or administrative vision.
• Lead and inspire others.
• Collaborate with all members of a team.
• Engage within the community at large.
• Think outside the box and innovate.
• Articulate the theatre’s role and relevance in global diversity and current events.
2024 ASPIRE Arts Leadership Participant Options
In-Person Events for Region 7
• ASPIRE information sessions via Zoom will be offered before the Region 7 festival with in-person workshops during the festival.
• Region 7 workshops will include individual final presentations to a guest LORT selector.
• Check the Region 7 website in January, 2024 for details!
• Region 7 ASPIRE Arts Leadership Coordinator: Tricia Rodley, rodley@uoregon.edu
Virtual/Zoom Events (if you cannot attend in-person events for Region 7)
• The virtual ASPIRE Arts Leadership program will include seven hours of gatherings and workshops on Zoom (not counting time participants will spend creating their individual final presentations).
• Workshops will take place on Saturday, March 2 and Sunday, March 3, 2024 from 2:00-5:30 pm EST.
• Final presentations and feedback will occur in 30-minute time slots on March 8-9, 2024.
• A small number of participants from the virtual cohort will also be selected to join the week-long fellowship at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
• Access Kennedy Center ASPIRE Arts Leadership page for information and Virtual sign up!
INSTITUTE FOR THEATRE JOURNALISM & ADVOCACY
ITJA a great opportunity for students to work with a professional theatre writer, hone their writing skills, and get insight and advice about theatre journalism. This year, we’re proud to announce that our guest journalist is J.R. Pierce, the Chicago Editor for American Theatre magazine and former arts critic for the Seattle Times. We are so excited that J.R. will be working with our students again this year. ITJA workshop sessions are every afternoon in the lunch hour (students will need to commit to the entire week of sessions), where, in addition to writing one traditional review, they will have the opportunity to write other forms of theatre journalism, including previews, advocacy pieces and others. Students should bring their laptops with them!
To participate, please complete the ITJA Region 7 Participant Registration Form by January 31, 2024.
Guest Journalist – Jerald Raymond Pierce is the Chicago editor for American Theatre magazine and a freelance reporter and critic with articles and reviews in The Chicago Tribune. Previously, he was the arts and culture reporter and theater critic for The Seattle Times. Pierce received his masters degree from the Goldring Arts Journalism program at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. He is an alum of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center and a member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
WORKSHOP DEADLINE APPROACHING
Workshop submission deadline – December 15, 2023.
Fill out this Workshop Form Questions: Please contact Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin at delappl@scc.losrios.edu.
FESTIVAL DETAILS
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS LIVE Until December 26: https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202402/
FESTIVAL HOTEL: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center is providing special discount pricing (2 queen beds $145/night) for festival attendees, and we highly encourage you to stay with them. Staying at the host hotel allows the region to receive use of banquet facilities for free. *Book your room before January 20.
Reservations
• Online: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/kcactfregion7festival56
• Phone: Call 509-744-2363 and ask for the rate for KCACTF. The group code is KTF.
• Please Note – Meals are not included with the room fees.
November 15, 2023
STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY (SDC) DIRECTING INITIATIVE
The SDC Directing Initiative provides recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student directors who have demonstrated success in direction. Candidates are nominated by their individual institutions, and the institution must have entered either an associate or participating production during the calendar year prior to the regional festival.
Check out the details here: https://www.kcactf7.org/about-kcactf7/sdc/.
MUSICAL THEATRE INITIATIVE DETAILS ANNOUNCED
All KCACTF Region 7 MTI participants must be registered for the 2024 Festival in Spokane, WA (Feb. 18 – 23) and participating students must attend the Festival as all rounds will be in person.
FIRST ROUND will take place live on Monday, Feb. 19, 2024 at Festival. You must register online in advance for a time slot. If all slots are taken, a waitlist will be started. Please check the Region 7 Festival website starting December 15 to register. Slots are limited. Visit https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/ for details regarding what to prepare.
Questions – Contact the MTI Coordinator Team:
Tracy Martin – MartinT@arc.losrios.edu
Noah Racey – Noah.Racey@colostate.edu
Corey Winfield – WinfieC@arc.losrios.edu
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT DETAILS
DTM Registration is now open and will close February 11th, 2024! https://www.kcactf7dtm.org/
WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE DTM EXPO? The DTM Expo is a wonderful way to showcase your work to hundreds of festival participants, professional theatre practitioners, and schools. You will receive a response to your presentation from a professional designer or technician; potentially creating connections that will help you find future work opportunities.
We want to showcase and celebrate the incredible work of our student designers, technologists, and stage managers! Please join us by entering your project(s) into the DTM and attending the response sessions during our festival (Feb 18-23, 2024).
LATE NIGHT MURDER MYSTERY – MURDERVILLE – Tuesday February 20
It’s 1993, and we want you to join us at the grand opening of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame! In this new immersive murder mystery by Sam Morehouse and Luke Motschenbacher, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame Death is a killer good time. Will the past of our eclectic host, Theodore Snickerby, catch up to him or will he escape the evening unscathed? Only time will tell…
Hosted by Gonzaga Theatre – see the attached flyer for more details.
Audience is encouraged to dress in costume. Questions? Email lmotschenbacher@zagmail.gonzaga.edu
DRAMATURGY AREA UPDATES
We welcome any and all students, staff, and faculty to participate in the programming in the dramaturgy area during the Festival in February 2024 in Spokane, Washington.
Participants can elect to participate in the regional programming in one or more of the following ways:
• Share works-in-progress to get feedback at the regional level.
• Share completed dramaturgical work for the LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy
• Award (see below for more details).
• Participate in dramaturgy workshops at the festival in Spokane, WA.
Questions on how to participate? Reach out to Dramaturgy Area Coordinator, Sarah Campbell at sarahcampbell@uidaho.edu
CALL FOR WORKSHOPS EXTENDED
Workshop submission deadline has been extended to – December 15, 2023.
Fill out this Workshop Form Questions: Please contact Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin at delappl@scc.losrios.edu.
UNIVERSITY POSITIONS – R7
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THEATRE, PERFORMANCE – VOICE AND SPEECH (TENURE TRACK)
SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY – Ashland, OR – http://www.sou.edu
Employment Type: Full-Time – Compensation: Range $65,508 – $69,520
Job details: Assistant Professor of Theatre: Performance, Voice and Speech The School of Arts & Communication (ACO) at Southern Oregon University (SOU) is seeking candidates for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Theatre: Performance, Voice and Speech. The Theatre Performance, Voice and Speech faculty member is responsible for providing courses in voice and speech, dialects/accents, and introduction to acting, as well as other courses that support the Theatre major and in their areas of expertise. These courses might include Musical Theatre, Dance, African-American Theatre, Asian-American Theatre, Latinx Theatre, Intimacy and Consent, Shakespeare, World Theatre, Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, or others. As a tenure track member of the faculty, they will be expected to contribute to the administration of the department and maintain their creative activity and scholarship. Located in Ashland, Oregon, SOU Theatre is a large and busy undergraduate-only department serving approximately 200 majors. A BFA-only degree program, we mount between 3-6 full productions as well as many workshop/showcase presentations each year. Our performance faculty serve a conservatory-style cohort, as well other Theatre students and the general SOU student population. We work closely with other programs in the ACO. This appointment requires a terminal degree in the discipline taught (e.g. MFA in Performance) or ABD. We offer excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The start date is September 2024 and the position will be open until filled with a priority deadline of December 1, 2023. For a complete job description and to apply, please visit our application site, here: https://apptrkr.com/4716233.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF THEATRE, PERFORMANCE – ACTING (TENURE TRACK)
SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY – Ashland, OR http://www.sou.edu
Employment Type: Full-Time – Compensation: Range $65,508 – $69,520
Job details: Assistant Professor of Theatre, Performance, Acting The School of Arts & Communication (ACO) at Southern Oregon University (SOU) is seeking candidates for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Theatre in Performance, Acting. The Theatre Performance, Acting faculty member is responsible for providing courses in Acting at all levels, including introduction to acting, as well as other courses that support the Theatre major and in their areas of expertise. These courses might include Musical Theatre, Dance, African-American Theatre, Asian-American Theatre, Latinx Theatre, Intimacy and Consent, Shakespeare, World Theatre, Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, or others. As a tenure track member of the faculty, they will be expected to contribute to the administration of the department and maintain their creative activity and scholarship. Located in Ashland, Oregon, SOU Theatre is a large and busy undergraduate-only department serving approximately 200 majors. A BFA-only degree program, we mount between 3-6 full productions as well as many workshop/showcase presentations each year. Our performance faculty serve a conservatory-style cohort, as well other Theatre students and the general SOU student population. We work closely with other programs in the ACO. This appointment requires a terminal degree in the discipline taught (e.g. MFA in Performance) or ABD. We offer excellent comprehensive health and retirement benefits. The start date is September 2024 and the position will be open until filled with a priority deadline of December 1, 2023. For a complete job description and to apply, please visit our application site, here: https://apptrkr.com/4716143.
FESTIVAL DETAILS
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS LIVE Until December 26: https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202402/
FESTIVAL HOTEL: The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center is providing special discount pricing (2 queen beds $145/night) for festival attendees, and we highly encourage you to stay with them. Staying at the host hotel allows the region to receive use of banquet facilities for free. *Book your room before January 20.
Reservations
• Online: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/kcactfregion7festival56
• Phone: Call 509-744-2363 and ask for the rate for KCACTF. The group code is KTF.
• Please Note – Meals are not included with the room fees.
October 17, 2023
FESTIVAL DETAILS: Festival 56 – February 18-23, 2024 – Spokane, WA
FESTIVAL THEME: “JOY AS RESISTANCE”
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS LIVE
https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202402/
• Student – Early Bird $80 / Reg $105
• Adjunct Faculty/Staff – Early Bird $90 / Reg $115
• Faculty – Early Bird $100 / Reg $125
FESTIVAL HOTEL
The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Spokane City Center is providing special discount pricing (2 queen beds $145/night) for festival attendees, and we highly encourage you to stay with them. Staying at the host hotel allows the region to receive use of banquet facilities for free. *Book your room before January 20.
Reservations
• Online: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/kcactfregion7festival56
• Phone: Call 509-744-2363 and ask for the rate for KCACTF. The group code is KTF.
• Please Note – Meals are not included with the room fees.
NEW AREA LEADERSHIP NPP – PLAYWRIGHT SUBMISSIONS – Deadline – November 1, 2023
KCACTF Region 7 New Play Program will be accepting submissions for 10 Minute and One-Act plays until Wednesday, November 1, 2023! (Also, any full-length scripts wanting consideration for the NAPAT Award) This is a hard deadline and cannot be extended.
Need more information for your students? We’ve put together a website to help explain the submission, where to do it, and some resources for playwrights as well. https://sites.google.com/view/kcactfr7npp/home
We will update this site with many more resources over the next couple days so check in often and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Happy Writing!
Carlos-Manuel Chavarria (Chair) Kamarie Chapman (Vice Chair)
2023-2024 DEVISING INITIATIVE PROMPTS RELEASED! – JOY AS RESISTANCE
These prompts are intended to inspire your creativity, not be prescriptive. Include what you like, how you like.
Warshan Shire’s “What They Did Yesterday Afternoon”
Theatrical Ingredients:
• Tableau/frozen pictures
• Music – sung, played, spoken lyrics
• 10 seconds of silence
• Slow motion
• An object is endowed, made important
or something it doesn’t seem to be.
Writing Prompts:
• Where do you find joy?
• Where do you participate in resistance?
• What does “resistance” mean to you?
• What is “joy as resistance”?
AREA LEADERSHIP
Please help us to welcome Noah Racey from Colorado State University to the MTI Coordination team
CALL FOR WORKSHOPS
Workshop submission deadline is rapidly approaching – November 6, 2023.
Fill out this Workshop form Questions: Please contact Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin at delappl@scc.losrios.edu
JOIN OUR TEAM
Eligibility
Candidates for regional office must have at least a part-time affiliation with an accredited institution of post-secondary education in Region 7 at the time that their term as a regional officer begins. Candidates must also live within Region 7.
Development Officer
We’re looking for a dynamic individual to support Region VII in our Festival 56 planning and fundraising endeavors. If this sounds like the right fit for you, please reach out to Vanessa Ballam vanessaballam@isu.edu
Respondent Coordinator (CA, NV)
Respondent coordinators are responsible for pairing respondents with respective school productions. Respondent coordination is a wonderful way to connect with faculty and artists in our region. This coordinator would specifically oversee the California and Nevada responses. If you’ve been dreaming of supporting our region is this way, please reach out to Vanessa Ballam vanessaballam@isu.edu
May 5, 2023
Region News
This will be my last newsletter as chair. It has been my honor to shepherd us through Covid and get us back to meeting in-person. But, our incoming chairs Vanessa Ballam and Ashley DeMollville are absolutely brilliant and will be your main contacts going forward. Thank you for this incredible experience and I love you all.
-Ronn Campbell, Region 7 Chair
KCACTF REGION RED
The Region 7 Representation, Equity and Diversity is looking for a new Vice Chair.
What are your thoughts, concerns, and ideas about representation, equity, and diversity in theatre? In the region? At festival?
The Region 7 RED team is looking for a new vice-chair! Are you interested in joining RED Chair, Natashia Lindsey, past-chair Ed Trujillo, and the student RED board as we continue to build a more just and welcoming world of theatre?
Eligibility
Candidates for regional office must have at least a part-time affiliation with an accredited institution of post-secondary education in Region 7 at the time when their term as a regional officer begins. Candidates must also live within Region 7.
Selection
Nominations for office shall be submitted by the Regional chair to the National Executive Committee for approval in August.
If you are interested, please send your questions to Natashia at Natashia.lindsey@cwu.edu.
National Festival
KCACTF National Festival returned to in-person events at the Kennedy Center in April. Region 7 finalist attended workshops, productions, and connected with Professionals from around the country. Region 7 students shined and had an amazing time.
The following recognitions were announced at the conclusion of the National Festival on April 21. Additional residencies are in process, and those confirmed as of this date are listed below.
Congratulations to all the Region 7 students!
AWARDS IN DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
The National Partners of the American Theatre Lin Conaway Design Award
Maria Catarina Copelli
For Melancholia
Los Angeles City College
The National Partners of the American Theatre Andy Gibbs Design Award
Porter Lance
For Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Weber State University
The National Sound Design Awards
Jonathan Lee
For As You Like It
Texas Tech University
Second Place
Patrick Middlebrook
For Spring Awakening
Colorado State University
Distinguished Achievement in Original Composition
Lindsay Kuiper
For The Importance of Being Earnest
Dordt University
Hagan Harkin
For She Kills Monsters
University of Southern Mississippi
Second Place
Abbey Kuhns
For Silent Sky
Saginaw Valley State University
Honorable Mention
Genesis Tanner
For Borderline
The University of Texas at El Paso
The National Scenic Design Awards
Porter Lance
For Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Weber State University
Honorable Mention
Julianne Bodner
For Personal History
University of Oregon
The Barbizon Awards for Excellence in Lighting Design
Marley Keith
For Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Weber State University
Honorable Mentions
Stevie Bleich
For Working
University of Central Florida
And
Terry Eikleberry
For Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.
Wayne State University
The National Costume Design Award
Angelica Clara Hadiwibowo
For The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Texas State University
Second Place
Maria Catarina Copelli
For Melancholia
Los Angeles City College
Third Place
Maddie James
For Spring Awakening
Colorado State University
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Fellowships
Confirmed as of May 2, 2023
Stage Management
• Lily Barnes, Salem State University
• Danielle Wooden, Stephen F. Austin State University
Sound Design
• Ingrid Bell, Wellesley College
Scenic Design
• Kian Michael DeVine, University of West Georgia
The Broadway Stage Management Symposium Scholarships
Special Thanks to Matt Stern and Clear-Com
Full Scholarship
• Melissa Garber, Adelphi University
Partial Scholarships
• Lily Barnes, Salem State University
• Zach Mlekush, Illinois State University
• Kaitlyn grace, Anderson University
• Emily Oldham, Iowa State University
• Danielle Wooden, Stephen F. Austin State University
• Avery Wisner, Western Washington University
• Hannah Hensley, Grand Canyon University
AWARDS FOR THE ASPIRE ARTS LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
The John Cauble Awards for Emerging Arts Leaders
Presented by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre,
Thomas Schumacher, sponsor
• Vanessa Beltrán, California State University, Bakersfield
• Sanhawich Meateanuwat, Illinois State University
The Charlene Gordon Arts Impact Awards
Presented by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre
Charlene Gordon, sponsor
• Brannon Evans, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Leonardo Parry, Boise State University
Residencies for Dramaturgy
Confirmed as of May 2, 2023
The New Harmony Project Dramaturgy Fellowship
• Nya Johnson, University of Michigan
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center Literary Office Fellowship
• Olivia Lanteri, Western Connecticut State University
AWARDS FOR THE SDC STUDENT DIRECTING FELLOWSHIPS
Kennedy Center Directing Intensive Scholarships
• Alysa Raelyn, Illinois State University
• Jordan E. Mitchell, Salem State University
• Caiti Milligan, Middle Tennessee State University
• Daniel Vasquez, Emporia State University
WildWind Performance Lab Directing Fellowships
At Texas Tech University, Brian Quijada and Jim Wren – Artistic Directors
• Nabeel Jan, Bucknell University
• Abigail Torres, George Fox University
SDC National Directing Fellowships
Co-recipients
• Amanda Baschnagel, Texas Tech University
• Tamla Quipse, College of the Sequoias
THE KENNEDY CENTER MEDALLION OF EXCELLENCE
On Friday, April 21, the Kennedy Center and the KCACTF National Committee recognized the following organization and individuals for outstanding service and excellence in theatre in higher education.
Santa Fe Opera Production Department led by Tracy Armagost, and in fond memory Randy Lutz, for their dedicated history of thoughtful, incisive feedback to students work at regional festivals, ongoing mentorship, leadership, and providing annual experiential opportunities to KCACTF students across the disciplines of design, technology, and management.
Jim Holmes for fifteen years of service to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival as a dedicated advocate for playwrights and new play development, having just completed his term on the Executive Committee as Chair of the National Playwriting Program and coordinator of the Michael Kanin playwriting Awards Program..
Michelle Bombe for her four-year term of exceptional leadership of the organization during a challenging confluence of events that necessitated re-structuring, re-consideration, and the difficult process of re-building. Through it all, her commitment to the student experience as both emerging artists and future leaders remained paramount.
AWARDS FOR PERFORMANCE
The Creative Artist Database Awards
Made possible by GIGnition and the Creative Artist Database
• Kristina Yim, Binghamton University
• Chase Grabowski, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
The Open Jar Broadway Intensive Scholarship
Sponsored by the Open Jar Institute, Jeff Whiting- Artistic Director
• Symonne Sparks, University of Missouri
The Open Jar Musical Theatre Scholarships
Sponsored by the Open Jar Institute, Jeff Whiting-Artistic Director
• Kristina Yim, Binghamton University
• Chase Grabowski, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
• Symonne Sparks, University of Missouri
• Saroa-Dwayne Sasa, Sam Houston State University
• Makenna Ashby, Utah Valley University
The Kennedy Center Musical Theatre Scholarships
• Alyssa Green, Iona University
• Natalee Savage, Troy University
• Graciella Hamilton, American River College
The College of Fellows Uta Hagen Award
In association with the College of Fellows of the American Theatre, HB Studios and the Hagen Teacher’s Lab
• Katherine LeRoy-Lawson, Southern Georgia State College
The Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre
Summer Intensive Scholarship- July 3-21, 2023
• Muhammed Ali, Alabama State University
The Kingsley Colton Outstanding Partner Award
In association with the University Resident Theatre Association (URTA)
• Anya Saben, Salem State University
• Partner to Stephen Kaliskan
The College of Fellows Jane Alexander Award for Acting
In association with the College of Fellows of the American Theatre
• Imani Brissett, Ball State University
The VASTA Award for Vocal Excellence
In association with the Voice and Speech Trainers Association (VASTA)
• Kylie Yeast, Southwest Baptist University | Partner to Miriam Mattsfield
The Performing Arts Project Scholarships
Sponsored by Jonathan Bernstein, Artistic Director
• Leah Shannon, Western Washington University
• Saroa-Dwayne Sasa, Sam Houston State University
The Mark Twain Scholarships for Comic Performance
• Imani Brissett, Ball State University
The Stella Adler Art of Acting Studio: Film and Television Acting Intensive
Full Scholarship. Johnny Yoder, Managing Artistic Director
• Muhammed Ali, Alabama State University
The National Partners of the American Theatre Classical Acting Award
In association with NAPAT
• Frank Ramirez, California State University, Los Angeles
The Irene Ryan National Acting Scholarships – Second Place
• Muhammed Ali, assisted by Azona Williams, Alabama State University
The Irene Ryan National Acting Scholarships- First Place
• Imani Brissett, assisted by Sawyer True, Ball State University
March 29, 2023
Festival News
I hope that you have had a chance to recover after our amazing Festival in February. It was amazing seeing you all in-person and look forward to doing it again next year. The dates for Festival 56 are February 18-23, 2024, back in Spokane.
We are in process of updating the website with a list of awards, info for next year, and much more. If you have questions please reach out to our new Co-Chairs, Ashley DeMollville and Vanessa Ballam starting in June. I want to thank you all for allowing me to serve as the Chair for the best Region in the country. It has been my honor.
-Ronn Campbell, Region 7 Chair
KCACTF Region 7 Needs You!
The Region 7 Design Technology and Management is looking for a Vice Chair or possibly two Co-Vice Chairs to begin their first term Fall 2023. The ideal candidate(s) is detail oriented, works professionally, and has the skills to manage the DTM R7 website.
The position of DTM (Design, Technology, and Management) Vice Chair is ultimately a six-year commitment (three years as DTM Vice Chair and three years as DTM Chair). The duties and responsibilities of the DTM Vice Chair involve: service on the Regional Executive Committee and support of the Regional DTM Chair, assistance in festival planning, assistance in securing design, technology, and management respondents, and attendance at the regional festival.
Eligibility
Candidates for regional office must have at least a part-time affiliation with an accredited institution of post-secondary education in the appropriate region at the time when their term as a regional officer begins.
Selection
Nominations for office shall be submitted by the regional chair to the National Executive Committee for approval ideally by June.
If you are interested, please contact Erin Carignan e.carignan@colostate.edu.
National Awards
The national committee has announced awards and we have included the full list with this newsletter, but we have highlighted the Region 7 folks for you below. Congratulations to everyone on this list and representing Region 7 so well.
KCACTF 2023
National Awards for Productions Showcased at the Regional Festivals, January through March 2023 In recognition of a dynamic season of compelling work by theatre artists in higher education across the country. To adapt the theme coined by KCACTF Region 6, congratulations to all for a year in which colleges and universities re-connected, re-launched and re-ignited the passions of theatre artists to the great benefit of audiences nationwide.
The Citizen Artist Awards
The Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Awards recognize programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact through an artistic lens, to encourage empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and to advocate for justice on campus and throughout the world.
• Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner Spokane Falls Community College
• Marisol Idaho State University
• Everybody Central Washington University
• Water by the Spoonful Sonoma State University
Distinguished Achievement in the Facilitation of a Brave Rehearsal Space
This new recognition celebrates teaching artists who create a rehearsal room community that prioritizes the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of their student artists; empowering them to safely engage with challenging theatrical stories.
• Marisol Idaho State University
• Everybody Central Washington University
• Water by the Spoonful Sonoma State University
Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management
• Shauna Llamas, Lindsay Hayes, and Sayde Mendell Everybody Central Washington University
• Harmoni Thompson, Alyssa Higley, and Staci Allen Marisol Idaho State University
• Blake Presnell, Ally Bray The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
• Blythe DeWitt and Charlie Ladd Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner Spokane Falls Community College
Distinguished Achievement in Projection Design
• Marisol Idaho State University
Distinguished Achievement in Scenic Design
• Michelle Ludlow and Claire Chrzan Marisol Idaho State University
Distinguished Achievement in Sound Design
• Syd Mauro Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design
• Jonathan Curns Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Costume Design
• Lisa Bebey Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Performance and Production Ensemble
• Everybody Central Washington University
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Distinguished Production of a Play
• Everybody Central Washington University
Outstanding Production of a New Work
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Innovative and Unique Theatrical Event
• The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
Distinguished Director of a Play
• Emily Rollie Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Movement Direction
• Annabelle Brasch Everybody Central Washington University
Distinguished Achievement in Original Music Composition
• Owen McGreevy The Wife of Fabian Vitalik University of Idaho
National Playwriting Awards
The national committee has announced awards and we have included the full list with this newsletter but, similar to the national awards we have highlighted the Region 7 folks for you below. Congratulations to everyone on this list and representing Region 7 so well.
THE MICHAEL KANIN PLAYWRITING AWARDS
For Festival Year 2022
To be presented in the Kennedy Center Family Theater on April 21, 2023
New Play Exchange or personal website link on first mention, if available
The National Undergraduate Playwriting Awards
Second Place
The Wife of Fabian Vitalik
By Kalyssa Montoya and Grace McGreevy
Adapted from the short story by Mariah Montoya
University of Idaho
Kalyssa Rose Montoya | New Play Exchange
The Darrell Ayers National Playwriting Award
The Wife of Fabian Vitalik
By Kalyssa Montoya and Grace McGreevy
Adapted from the short story by Mariah Montoya
University of Idaho
The David Mark Cohen Playwriting Award
Co-Recipients
the fog comes on little cat feet
by Amanda Keating
University of Iowa Playwrights Workshop
Amanda Keating | New Play Exchange
and
Emme and the Taking of the Woods
By Jef Petersen
Lewis-Clark State College
Jef Petersen | New Play Exchange
February 11, 2023
Festival News
Festival 55 begins in one week!!! This issue is to prepare you for some the events, details, expectations at this year’s festival. The area coordinators are putting the final touches to events and session to make our first Post-Pandemic Festival the best it can be. See you there.
-Ronn Campbell, Chair
Whova App Schedule
The festival schedule is live now on the Whova App. You must download it using the exact email you registered with. The Whova App can keep you up to date with any room changes, noting sessions you want to attend, and announcements throughout the week. Download Whova and search for KCACTF Region 7 Festival 55.
New Faculty & Staff
If you are new hire or just never been to KCACTF, we want to let you know some of the happenings at festival geared directly for you.
• Welcome to Region VII – Monday at Noon
o Come chat with and get to know your regional colleagues in a low stake setting. All faculty and staff are welcome!
• Respondent Training – Tuesday at 10am
o Come learn about becoming a production respondent for the region
• Faculty Awards – Thursday at 6pm
o The Region will celebrate amazing faculty with regional and national awards.
• Faculty Lounges – Every evening 10-midnight
o Faculty and Staff are welcome to hangout and unwind from the day.
Festival Production Tickets
We have 4 wonderful productions this year, 3 live and 1 virtual.
The virtual production Marisol will have a Virtual watch party Monday at 4pm. This is a first-come, first-serve event. After that the play will be available online all week.
The other productions will have two performances each day – 2pm & 7:30pm at the Gonzaga Univeristy Magnuson Theatre. There are 200 tickets available for each performance.
Tickets will be handed out to attendees at the registration booth in the convention center.
Ticket rules – Only one ticket per attendee. You cannot get tickets for someone else or a group. Each show will have a different color. Tickets will be available at 8am each day.
Job Opportunities
University of Wyoming – Assistant Professor, Costume Designer
The Department of Theatre and Dance invites applications for one (1) tenure track position in costume design starting Fall Semester, 2023. This position will be hired at the Assistant Professor rank. Individuals will be responsible for designing costumes for all main season productions (minimum of 4 per AY). They may also mentor a highly qualified student designer to serve in that production capacity for one production. High standards of quality are expected in productions with large casts and complex technical support as well as in small cast productions where the environment created must show high quality work.
For more information and to apply https://eeik.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/230065/?utm_medium=jobshare.
February 5, 2023
Festival News
We are only 2 weeks away from Festival 55! Final touches are being applied to the schedule and we will be posting it on the Whova app very soon. So please make sure you and your students have downloaded the app so you can see it.
You must use the exact name and email from your registration to see it.
It is not too late to register. Click the link below https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202208/
Festival Events
We wanted to highlight for you some amazing events we have planned at festival this year. (Check Whova app for all the workshops and events)
• Sunday
o 7:30 pm – Opening Ceremony
• Monday
o 2:00 pm – Red Eagle Soaring performs
o 7:30 pm – Keynote Speaker – Idris Goodwin
• Tuesday
o 8:00 am – Irene Ryan Semi-Finals
o 7:30pm – Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner
• Wednesday
o 8:00 am – MTI Finals
o 7:30 pm – Everybody
• Thursday
o 2:00 pm – DTM Keynote – Clint Ramos
o 7:30 pm – Water by the Spoonful
• Friday
o 8:00 am – Irene Ryan Finals
o 7:30 pm – Awards Ceremony
Workshops
There are over 40 workshops planned for festival. All workshops that were submitted have been accepted, but it is not too late to add yours. You only need to submit by February 8th and you do that by clicking the link below.
https://forms.gle/ko2vVsMgSLrdvZBa8
Employment Listings
HOPE COLLEGE
Join us at Hope College! https://jobs.hope.edu/postings/2170
Please consider or pass along to any colleagues!
Any questions, you can contact, Michelle Bombe at bombe@hope.edu
The Hope College Department of Theatre invites applications for a tenure track position as Assistant Professor of Theatre beginning in Fall 2023. The Theatre Department seeks an experienced teacher/artist to teach performance courses and direct productions in a vibrant program that embraces “Art that makes a difference”. This tenure-track position will potentially teach several levels of acting, directing, musical theatre, and/or theatre history in a NAST accredited B.A. theatre program as well as introductory courses in the college’s General Education program.
SACRAMENTO STATE UNIVERSITY
The Department of Theatre and Dance at Sacramento State seeks a tenure track professor of African Diasporic Theatre, Performance and Practice, whose creative research and scholarship engages with social practice and community engagement. The department’s ideal candidate will provide examples of teaching in African American Theory and Criticism, African Diasporic Performance Studies, Global Theatre History and Dramatic Literature.
FIELD ARTS & EVENTS HALL
Field Arts & Events Hall (Field Hall) in Oak Harbor, WA is seeking a Technical Director who will provide leadership and oversight for the day-to day operations as well as strategic planning and execution for the
technical operations throughout all aspects of Field Arts & Events Hall. The TD will work closely with and report to the executive director. The TD will provide leadership while advancing upcoming performances and directing over hire, part-time, student, and intern technical staff in activities associated with the execution of performances and events presented and produced by Field Hall or rental clients. The technical director will also oversee and implement all administrative management oversight necessary to effectively run the technical department.
If you are interested or want more information, contact Steve Raider-Ginsburg Executive Director at steve@fieldhallevents.org.
www.fieldhallevents.org
January 28, 2023
Festival News
Festival 55 is fast approaching. We are putting the final touches on the schedule and will have it up on the Whova app soon. Don’t forget, deadlines for events are fast approaching and we have a few of them here for you.
• Musical Theatre Initiative – January 30th
• Scholarly Paper Competition – February 1st
• Design Technology and Management – February 3rd
• Irene Ryan Auditions – February 12th
For more details and links to submit, go to https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events.
Red Eagle Soaring – Performance
Region 7 is thrilled to have Red Eagle Soaring return again this year. Red Eagle Soaring Native Youth Theatre (RES) exists to empower American Indian and Alaska Native youth to express themselves with confidence and clarity through traditional and contemporary performing arts. Red Eagle Soaring will be presenting one of their amazing productions Monday of festival.
For more information check out their website https://www.redeaglesoaring.org.
Festival Evening Events
We are excited to announce the evening events that will occur after the evening productions. Events will begin at 10pm (or 30 minutes after the play) and run until Midnight.
Tuesday: Tech Olympix
Wednesday: Improv Olympix
Thursday: Cabaret Olympix
Details on how to sign up as a participant will be posted via the Whova app one week prior to the festival. These events are free for everyone so, either come compete or watch and cheer on your friends!
If you have questions about Tech Olympix contact Jerald Dougherty at Jerald.Dougherty@cwu.edu.
If you have questions about Improv or Cabaret Olympix contact Vanessa Ballam at vanessaballam@isu.edu.
Next Step Auditions
Next Step auditions will be Wednesday February 22nd and we will hopefully have the registration link up and running by February 1st so you can save your spot.
Actors will need a headshot and resume and Design/Tech will need a resume and some portfolio photos of your work.
For more information visit https://www.kcactf7.org/home/nextstep.
Submissions link will be posted here https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events.
Ten Minute Play Auditions
NPP cordially invites all festival attendees to audition for The Ten Minute Play Reading!
Come support the top-selection of short plays written by students throughout the region. Collaborate with instructors/playwrights/actors from all over. The Ten Minute Play readings is one of the most anticipated events of the festival.
Auditioners do not need to bring a resume or headshot (although those are always nice things to have). We will have a personal information form for you to fill out. Auditions will be five people at a time. We will ask each person to tell a story or a joke (or have a one minute monologue if you like) then read a quick side. No experience necessary! ALL are welcome.
Actors will not be expected to memorize the scripts and can expect a couple rehearsals while at the festival and a performance of the reading on Friday morning.
Please Note: If you indicated on your Irene Ryan submission that you wanted to be considered for the ten minute plays, we would prefer for you to come to the auditions in-person on Monday Morning. Thank you.
Auditions will run from 9:00am – 11:30am at the Conference Center Theater space. The actual readings take place Friday morning from 9:00am – 12:00pm in the same space.
January 21, 2023
Festival Deadlines
We are about a month away from the start of Festival 55. Therefore, deadlines for events are fast approaching and we have a few of them here for you.
• Musical Theatre Initiative – January 30th
• Scholarly Paper Competition – February 1st
• Design Technology and Management – February 3rd
• Irene Ryan Auditions – February 12th
For more details and links to submit, go to https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events.
Festival Schedule
We wanted to highlight some of the events at festival. The full schedule will be posted on the Whova app early February.
• Sunday 7:30 pm – Welcome Ceremony (only event that day)
• Monday
o Keynote Speaker Idris Goodwin
o DTM Load-in
• Tuesday
o Irene Ryan Semi-Finals
• Wednesday
o MTI Finals
o Next Step Auditions
• Thursday
o DTM Keynote Speaker Clint Ramos
• Friday
o Irene Ryan Finals
o Award Ceremony
RED Student Board
Region 7 is looking for students to serve on the RED Advisory Board!
The RED Advisory Board will be made up of the RED Chair, Ed Trujillo and Vice-Chair Natashia Lindsey. There will be two student members representing each state of our region: Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Northern Nevada.
Students will be committed to working, designing and implementing the National RED Initiatives. They will serve one year-November 2022 to November 2023 and commit to two online zoom meetings a month. Students will be able to work on a committee of choice that will combine season planning, guest artist rosters, training, community outreach, staff and faculty hiring, safety on campus, creating a repository of resources for the region that can include curriculum, performances and presentations. They will also have input in the planning of the KCACTF Region 7 Festival.
How to Apply
1-page statement of purpose with a letter of recommendation from a faculty/staff member (does not have to be Theatre related faculty, just someone who can speak to the student’s commitment to social justice and equity) is required. Applications are open till filled.
We strongly encourage colleges and universities to offer their students academic credit for their work on the RED Advisory board.
Send materials to either:
Ed Trujillo, RED Chair KCACTF 7
edtrujillo261@gmail.com
925-658-2989
Natashia Lindsey, Vice-Chair KCACTF 7
Natashia.Lindsey@cwu.edu
270-999-5558
Celebrating Representation, Equity, Diversity in KCACTF Region 7
We are looking for stories of how you celebrate diversity in your community, either in your department, school, city or state, as individuals or groups. Please send us a short story or antidote and any resources that you may have and we will share them within the region. Help us to grow stronger in making our region advocates of social justice.
January 14, 2023
Festival Registration
We will be posting a rough festival schedule very soon. The best way to see the latest schedule is to download the Whova App. So, don’t miss out and register today for the KCACTF Region 7 festival and download the app.
https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202208/
Scholarly Paper Competition
Have you written a paper that you’re particularly proud of? Are you interested in your paper potentially being published? Submit your work to the Scholarly Paper Competition!
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region VII seeks to support, encourage, and reward excellence in scholarship in theatre. KCACTF VII invites all college and university students to submit their research manuscripts to the Scholarly Paper Competition. The papers may be written on any theatre arts topic–historical, theoretical or artistic. Students do not need to attend the conference in order to enter.
• Manuscripts entered at the graduate student level should not exceed 20 double-spaced, single-sided pages excluding endnotes and references. Chicago (Notes-Bib) formatting and citation style preferred; MLA permitted.
• Manuscripts entered at the undergraduate student level should not exceed 12 double-spaced, single-sided pages excluding endnotes and references. Chicago (Notes-Bib) formatting and citation style preferred; MLA permitted.
• Citation style selected will not have an impact on evaluation.
All submissions will receive feedback and the winning papers may be published in the Western States Drama Review.
Complete the submission form here. Due Date February 1.
For questions or more information, email KT Turner at katurner@uidaho.edu.
ASPIRE – What is ASPIRE Arts Leadership?
The KCACTF/LORT ASPIRE Leadership Fellows Program is designed to cultivate a new generation of artistic and administrative leaders for the American Theater with a focus of engaging Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and members of other groups that are consistently underrepresented in the field.
ASPIRE was created in collaboration with the League of Resident Theatres (LORT) to:
• Boost the voices of the next generation of theatre professionals.
• Cultivate artistic and administrative leaders who will transform the landscape of American theatre.
• Focus on engaging Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and others who are demographically underrepresented in the field.
For a dynamic introduction, watch the video created by national program alumni: ASPIRE Arts Leadership | Kennedy Center.
Region 7 Events
If you are interested in ASPIRE, join us for 3 introductory workshops in Spokane!
(days and times tbd)
• Inclusive Leadership with RED & ASPIRE
• Arts Leadership and ASPIRE, A Deep Dive
• ASPIRE Arts Leadership – The Pitch
National Events
After Spokane, join national ASPIRE Arts Leadership 2023 for immersive events on Zoom!
Two Workshops:
Saturday, February 25 from 1:00-7:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM-4:00 PM PST
Sunday, February 26 from 1:00-7:00 PM EST / 10:00 AM-4:00 PM PST
One Final Presentation with Feedback:
• Saturday, March 4 at a designated 30-minute time slot between 1:00-6:00 PM EST / 8:00 AM-3:00 PM PST.
• You present a creative pitch about a theatrical season or a new theatre company and receive feedback from faculty and professional theatre leaders.
• 2022-2023 preliminary pitch guidelines: ASPIRE Guide_The Creative Pitch 22-23 .docx
National ASPIRE Arts Leadership Cohort in Washington D.C.
One fellow from each region will be selected to join the weeklong fellowship based on full attendance and participation in the national ASPIRE Arts Leadership 2023 events (workshops February 25-26 and final presentation March 4).
If you have questions, please contact the Region 7 Aspire Coordinators:
• Jackie Apodaca apodacaj@sou.edu
• Tricia Rodley rodley@uoregon.edu
Next Step Auditions
KCACTF Region 7 NEXT STEPS plan for 2023.
And…we’re back! This year’s NEXT STEPS will take place on Wednesday, February 22nd. For those students interested in participating this year, we will have an informational meeting on Wednesday morning, February 22nd at 8:00 am to make sure that all of your audition and/or interview materials are loaded to the proper folder for guest artists to review.
The morning session 8-9:20am will provide students with an opportunity to make sure all students have their materials loaded for the guest artists to view. Students will then set up an audition or interview slot for the afternoon.
The afternoon sessions 12-4pm, will begin with a brief introduction of the companies and universities present and then proceed with those students who have signed up to be seen by our guests.
How it works
For all of those students interested in participating we ask that you submit the following materials beforehand. Link will be posted on the website and social media in the coming weeks.
Actors: Headshot, resume (in one pdf)
Design/Tech/Management: Resume and chosen samples of your work (submitted in one pdf)
Then at your assigned time you will present your monologue or portfolio to the companies/schools. Each student will get a set amount of time to present (5-7 minutes).
Companies will contact you later if they are interested. Please be sure to load the assigned documents – especially your resume as the guest artists will use this information if they wish to call you back further.
If you have questions, contact the Next Step Coordinator Tamara L. Meneghini-Stalker at tamara.meneghini@colorado.edu.
January 7, 2023
Website update – We have regained access to our website and removed the malware virus. We will be updating the website this coming week. Thank you for your patience.
– Ronn Campbell, Chair
Festival Registration
We wanted to remind you that you will need to be registered prior to submitting materials for festival events like Irene Ryan Auditions, Musical Theatre Initiative and DTM Expo. So, don’t miss out and register today for the KCACTF Region 7 festival!
https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202208/
Musical Theatre Initiative
We are getting excited for this year’s MTIs and with February fast approaching, we thought it was a good time to remind potential participants about what is needed and what to expect. Students will prepare two 16-bar cuts of contrasting pieces from the musical theatre repertoire (not to exceed 90 seconds). Students will film their audition pieces to upload.
All entries that are submitted by the January 28 deadline will be viewed and scored by our initial panel of experts and then twenty singers will be selected to advance to the final round that will perform in-person at the festival.
The MTI finals will be live and in-person of the twenty selected performers singing the same two 16-bar cuts they sang for the qualifying round, as well as a full song, or a longer cut of a third piece (all of which should not exceed 5 minutes) for a panel of selectors from the musical theatre industry.
To submit your MTI audition video, go to https://airtable.com/shrsrTNPCgffbhNid and upload by January 28.
Any questions? Email Alicia Bickley at abickley@yvcc.edu or Ray Pritchard at rpritchard@yvcc.edu.
Design Technology & Management
DTM Registration is now open and will close February 3rd, 2023! Reserve your spot here https://www.kcactf7dtm.org/.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE DTM EXPO?
The DTM Expo is a wonderful way to showcase your work to hundreds of festival participants, professional theatre practitioners, and schools. You will receive a response to your presentation from a professional designer or technician; potentially creating connections that will help you find future work opportunities.
We want to showcase and celebrate the incredible work of our student designers, technologists, and stage managers! Please join us by entering your project(s) into the DTM and attending the in-person response sessions during our festival (Feb 20-24th, 2023).
ELIGIBILITY: All projects are eligible for regional and/or national awards. Projects may have been completed for course work or for productions that were or were not produced. To qualify for awards you must have been a bonafide student in 2022 and registered for the 2023 festival.
Questions contact – DTM Chair Raquel Davis at raqueldavis@boisestate.edu or DTM Vice-Chair Erin Carignan E.carignan@colostate.edu.
January 2, 2023
We were hit by another malware virus that has prevented access. So, we are unable to update the website. If you have questions about an event, please contact the area coordinators for the latest information. We will be posting updates on our Facebook page until then. https://www.facebook.com/Kcactf7.
– Ronn Campbell, Chair
Invited Productions
Region 7 is excited to announce the productions that will perform at festival this February. A Special Thank you to all the schools that entered a show for consideration.
Always Plenty of Light at the Starlight All Night Diner
by Darcy Parker Bruce – Spokane Falls Community College
A SUPER queer time travel adventure. With dinosaurs. A cross between Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, and Fried Green Tomatoes. In this charming love story, the stakes are more than life and death; they’re life or extinction.
Everybody
by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins – Central Washington University
This modern riff on the fifteenth-century morality play Everyman follows Everybody (chosen from amongst the cast by lottery at each performance) as they journey through life’s greatest mystery – the meaning of living.
Water by the Spoonful
by Quiara Alegría Hudes – Sonoma State University
Somewhere in Philadelphia, Elliot has returned from Iraq and is struggling to find his place in the world. Somewhere in a chat room, recovering addicts keep each other alive, hour by hour, day by day. The boundaries of family and community are stretched across continents and cyberspace as birth families splinter and online families collide.
Marisol – Virtual Production
by Jose’ Rivera – Idaho State University
“Marisol” follows the story of Marisol Perez, a young Latina businesswoman living in the Bronx. Everything changes when her guardian angel announces the commencement of celestial warfare. Now living in a world without angels, Marisol struggles to keep herself grounded in an unrecognizable dystopian disaster.
Night of Scenes Update
We have decided not to present the Night of Scenes for the upcoming festival. There were many factors to this decision:
1. We could not find anyone to host and coordinate the event for this year.
2. We didn’t have this as a focus for our respondents this past year for them to make recommendations.
3. The Region wanted to focus energy and quality on required events as the festival.
If you are interested in bringing this event back to the region and willing to coordinate the event for 2024, please contact either of the Vice-Chairs, Ashley DeMoville or Vanessa Ballam.
Festival Workshops
Are you interested in sharing your knowledge?
You can present a workshop at festival!
We are looking for workshops in all areas – Design, Playwrighting, Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy, RED and more.
How to sign up:
Workshops are 90 minutes long and will be offered Monday-Friday at the following times: 8am 10am 12noon 2pm 4pm
Workshops are scheduled in the order received. Please make sure you give us your three time/day choices as we cannot guarantee a first choice for all. If only a first choice is given and if it is not available, we will have to guess.
If you know you are involved in a regional event (Ryans, MTI, DTM response, etc) please add that in the conflict section as those times have not been scheduled yet. We will work to schedule around that.
Click here to submit your workshop https://forms.gle/ko2vVsMgSLrdvZBa8.
Questions: Please contact Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin at delappl@scc.losrios.edu.
Institute for Theatre Journalism & Advocacy
Faculty, do you have students who are good writers, who have an interest in theatre journalism, or just want to become better writers in general? If so, please encourage them to join in the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy (formerly the National Critics Institute) at this year’s festival! This is our first in person ITJA competition in a few years, and we’re so excited to be back together!
ITJA a great opportunity for students to work with a professional theatre writer, hone their writing skills, and get insight and advice about theatre journalism.
Click here for submission information.
This year, we’re proud to announce that our guest journalist is J.R. Pierce, the arts and culture reporter and theater critic for The Seattle Times. We are so excited that J.R. will be working with our students this year. ITJA workshop sessions are every afternoon in the lunch hour (students will need to commit to the entire week of sessions), where, in addition to writing one traditional review,
they will have the opportunity to write other forms of theatre journalism, including previews, advocacy pieces and others. Students should bring their laptops with them!
Jerald Raymond (J.R.) Pierce is the arts and culture reporter and theater critic for The Seattle Times covering the city’s theater and visual arts scenes. Previously, he was the associate editor for American Theatre magazine and a freelance theater critic for The Chicago Tribune. Pierce received his masters degree from the Goldring Arts Journalism program at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and he is an alum of the National Critics Institute at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Pierce is also a member of the American Theatre Critics Association.
December 15, 2022
Registration Update
Happy Holidays! Region 7 would like to give you a Christmas Present. We will be extending the Early Bird Registration discounts through Christmas Day!
Give yourself the gift of attending the KCACTF Region 7 festival this year.
https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202208/
RED Student Board
Region 7 is looking for students to serve on the RED Advisory Board!
The RED Advisory Board will be made up of the RED Chair, Ed Trujillo and Vice-Chair Natashia Lindsey. There will be two student members representing each state of our region: Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Northern Nevada.
Students will be committed to working, designing and implementing the National RED Initiatives. They will serve one year-November 2022 to November 2023 and commit to two online zoom meetings a month. Students will be able to work on a committee of choice that will combine season planning, guest artist rosters, training, community outreach, staff and faculty hiring, safety on campus, creating a repository of resources for the region that can include curriculum, performances and presentations. They will also have input in the planning of the KCACTF Region 7 Festival.
How to Apply
1-page statement of purpose with a letter of recommendation from a faculty/staff member (does not have to be Theatre related faculty, just someone who can speak to the student’s commitment to social justice and equity) is required. Applications are open till filled.
We strongly encourage colleges and universities to offer their students academic credit for their work on the RED Advisory board.
Send materials to either:
Ed Trujillo, RED Chair KCACTF 7
edtrujillo261@gmail.com
925-658-2989
Natashia Lindsey, Vice-Chair KCACTF 7
Natashia.Lindsey@cwu.edu
270-999-5558
Celebrating Representation, Equity, Diversity in KCACTF Region 7
We are looking for stories of how you celebrate diversity in your community, either in your department, school, city or state, as individuals or groups. Please send us a short story or antidote and any resources that you may have and we will share them within the region. Help us to grow stronger in making our region advocates of social justice.
Festival Workshops
Are you interested in sharing your knowledge?
You can present a workshop at festival!
We are looking for workshops in all areas – Design, Playwrighting, Acting, Directing, Dramaturgy, RED and more.
How to sign up:
Workshops are 90 minutes long and will be offered Monday-Friday at the following times: 8am 10am 12noon 2pm 4pm
Workshops are scheduled in the order received. Please make sure you give us your three time/day choices as we cannot guarantee a first choice for all. If only a first choice is given and if it is not available, we will have to guess.
If you know you are involved in a regional event (Ryans, MTI, DTM response, etc) please add that in the conflict section as those times have not been scheduled yet. We will work to schedule around that.
Click here to submit your workshop https://forms.gle/ko2vVsMgSLrdvZBa8.
Questions: Please contact Lori Ann DeLappe-Grondin at delappl@scc.losrios.edu.
Festival Info
We are working hard to update the website with information as soon as we have it. Details of festival schedule and events will be posted at the beginning of February.
If you have questions about a specific event, please contact the area coordinator. You can find there contact info here: Region 7 Contacts.
December 2, 2022
Region 7 Chair
Happy Holidays! I hope your semester/quarter has gone well and been rewarding in some way. Please pass this onto your students so we can get the word out. If you have questions or comments, feel free to let us know.
– Ronn Campbell, Chair
KCACTF Gold Medallion
Each year, the eight KCACTF regions honor individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Most importantly, recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF and to excellence in educational theatre. It is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the great honors in theatre education.
This year Region 7 honors Jerry Dougherty. Jerry Dougherty is the Production Manager and a Senior Lecturer at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, WA. Jerry served as the scheduling and program coordinator for the Region 7 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival from 2011-2017 and has been the Region’s Festival Technical Director since 2021. Jerry is the reason our festivals have been so successful. His calming presence and ability to solve any problem is what makes Jerry the best in his field. We will be honoring him at festival, so join us in thanking him for all he has done for Region 7.
Keynote Speakers
We are excited to announce our speakers for festival this year. This is a chance for students to connect with professionals in our industry.
Idris Goodwin
www.idrisgoodwin.com
Idris Goodwin is a multiple award-winning playwright, breakbeat poet, content creator and arts champion. A 2021 United States Artist Fellow, Goodwin is recognized as a culture bearer who celebrates community values and cultivates histories with care. Idris is the author of over 60 original plays ranging from his Hip Hop inspired breakbeat series to historical dramas to works for
young audiences. Titles such as And In This Corner Cassius Clay, How We Got On, Hype Man: A Break Beat Play, This is Modern Art, and the groundbreaking Free Play: open source scripts for an antiracist tomorrow, are widely produced across the country by a diverse mix of professional theaters, academic environments, and nontraditional spaces alike. Goodwin’s created original content for and/or appeared on Nickelodeon, HBO Def Poetry, Sesame Street, NPR, BBC Radio, and the Discovery Channel. “Your House is Not Just A House,” his first picture book, will be published by
Harper Collins in 2024. Passionate about cultivating new audiences in the arts, Idris served as Executive Director of The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (the first Black man to hold the position in its 100 year history). Prior to that, Goodwin served two seasons as Producing Artistic Director at StageOne Family Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. Idris sits on the board of the Children’s Theatre Foundation Association and was recently named Board President of Theater For Young Audiences/USA.
Mr. Goodwin’s Keynote address will be Monday February 20th.
Clint Ramos
www.clintramos.com
Clint Ramos is a Filipino-American costume and set designer for stage and screen. For his work on the 2016 Broadway production of Eclipsed, Ramos became the first person of color to win the Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Play. Ramos also worked as a costume designer on the film Respect (2021) for MGM Studios starring Jennifer Hudson and production and costume designer on Lingua Franca (2019) directed by Isabel Sandoval. Ramos has received four additional Tony Award nominations for his work on the 2018 Broadway revival of Once on This Island, the 2019 Broadway revival of Torch Song, the 2020 Broadway revival of The Rose Tattoo and Slave Play (nominated for Set Design). In addition, Ramos has given lectures at his alma mater NYU Tisch and Fordham University, as well as being Head of Design at the latter.
Mr. Ramos will be presenting via Zoom mid-week of the festival. The link will be available on the Whova app.
Festival Workshops
WORKSHOPS SUBMISSIONS – If you are a faculty member or graduate student interested in presenting a workshop at festival this year the team is putting the final touches on the forms and will posting those soon to the website. The deadline to submit a workshop will be January 22, 2023.
Dramaturgy
If you worked as a dramaturg over the last year on a project at your institution, we encourage you to submit your work to the Dramaturgy area recognition and awards! You can submit any and all projects – whether those were part of coursework or part of a production. There are two types of awards or recognition that we give in this region:
• LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award (students receiving this award have the opportunity to apply for the national level award)
• Other region-level recognition, as determined each year by the respondents
Please use this form to submit your application for the KCACTF Dramaturgy Region 7 Recognition and Awards. Entries will be read and responded to by a panel of dramaturgs. There are five parts to the application, which are described in this information document. If you have any questions on the application process or participation in the award process, please contact Region 7 Dramaturgy Coordinator Sarah Campbell (she/her) at sarahcampbell@uidaho.edu. Application Materials are due January 15, 2023.
If you are interested in submitting but have questions about the process or what to submit, please reach out to Region 7 Dramaturgy Coordinator, Sarah Campbell (sarahcampbell@uidaho.edu).
There will be an optional information session on the application and award process on Friday, December 16th at 1:00pm PT at the following link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/82930585999?from=addon.
Information Document Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eXN96lfsYajw-82PFDNWRWaEVO4KcdO3n0Iu6Oq4XSY/edit?usp=sharing.
Link to Application Form: https://forms.gle/RmgHXkTZE7rH5M9Y7.
Festival Productions
If your school had submitted a Participating Production you will be contacted soon to submit materials for the selection committee. You will be sent a form to submit materials. These will include
• 10 photos – This should include 2-3 full stage shots that show the full set.
• Contact emails for the Director and the Technical Director/Production Manager. This will be so venue details can be sent ASAP.
• Content Warnings needed for the program.
The committee will be meeting Dec 10th and will contact schools with venue details the following week.
If you have questions, contact Ashley DeMollville (Ashley.Demoville@sfcc.spokane.edu).
November 17, 2022
Region 7 Chair
You may have heard of the tragic news coming out of the University of Idaho concerning 4 students murdered this past week. I wanted to send our love and support our UIdaho faculty, staff and students. Region 7 is all about lifting up each other and now it one of those times. I cannot wait for all of us to be in the same room again at festival to celebrate what makes Region 7 special. Be safe, care for one another, and we will see you February.
– Ronn Campbell, Chair
Musical Theatre Initiative
All Round 1 submissions must be self-taped and uploaded to the links on our website pages. All participants must be registered for festival and students should plan on being at festival. The details of your audition are listed below. If you have questions, contact the MTI Coordinator Alicia Bickley abickley@yvc.edu.
• FIRST ROUND of auditions, students should prepare two 16-bar cuts of contrasting pieces from the musical theatre repertoire (not to exceed 90 seconds). Students will need to film their audition pieces to upload. Twenty singers from the first round will advance to the final round.
• FINAL ROUND performers will sing the same two 16-bar cuts as well as a full song or longer cut of a third piece (all of which should not exceed 5 minutes) for a panel of selectors from the musical theatre industry.
FESTIVAL NEWS
Early Bird Registration deadline December 15th is fast approaching. Tickets are available via the Whova app or on our website https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/.
Then select Individual and School Festival Registration for the link.
• Festival Registration – Early Bird discount of $25 off the regular price ends Dec 15th
o Student – Early Bird $75 / Reg $100
o Adjunct Faculty/Staff – Early Bird $85 / Reg $110
o Faculty – Early Bird $95 / Reg $120
• Festival App – We will be using the Whova app again this year. This will be the place to find schedules, announcements, and updates during the festival.
If you have questions, please reach out to the Region Chair Ronn Campbell.
DEVISING THEATRE PROJECT
Devising is loosely defined as the process of collaboratively creating a new work without a pre-existing script wherein the collaborators are also the performers. I say loosely because every devising company creates their own method of working based on the subject of investigation and the strengths of the collaborators. Not every company member must perform for it to be a devised piece, but the majority often does. In short, the collaborative creators are also the performers. If you have questions please contact the Devising Coordinator Saffron Henke, Saffron.Henke@colostate.edu.
This is to prompt your creativity, not feel like requirements. Use the prompts that fuel your imagination, and no need to use them all.
Theme: “To be seen and heard”
Song:
Thao and the get down stay down “We the Common”
https://youtu.be/1GIhARLtI6I
song – and portion of the song, played, sung, or lyric quoted
Elements:
• 10 seconds of stillness or slow motion
• Ensemble does something in unison
• Someone or something gets lifted
FESTIVAL PRODUCTIONS
Participating productions will be contacted soon to submit materials for the selection committee. You will be sent a form to submit materials. These will include:
• 10 photos – This should include 2-3 full stage shots that show the full set.
• Contact emails for the Director and the Technical Director/Production Manager. This will be so venue details can be sent ASAP.
• Content Warnings needed for the program.
The committee will be meeting Dec 10th and will contact schools with venue details the following week.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
UNIVERISTY OF WYOMING
The University of Wyoming invites diverse applicants to consider our employment opportunities. We are also especially interested in candidates who have experience working with diverse populations and/or diverse initiatives.
JOB PURPOSE:
We are searching for an individual with experience in administrative leadership in academia and the performing arts who has a strong record of effective teaching, creative activity and service and who demonstrates a sustained and dedicated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to serve as Department Head in the Department of Theatre & Dance. This position will guide a dynamic undergraduate department with an active and robust production season at the state’s flagship, liberal arts, land-grant institution. The department offers BAs in Theatre and Dance and BFAs with concentrations in Theatre, Dance, and Design/Technology/Management.
October 28, 2022
Early Bird Registration is open and will run until December 15th
• Tickets are available via the Whova app or on our website.
Then select Individual and School Festival Registration for the link.
• Festival Registration – Early Bird discount of $25 off the regular price ends Dec 15th
o Student – Early Bird $75 / Reg $100
o Adjunct Faculty/Staff – Early Bird $85 / Reg $110
o Faculty – Early Bird $95 / Reg $120
• Festival App – We will be using the Whova app again this year. This will be the place to find schedules, announcements, and updates during the festival.
If you have questions please reach out to the Region Chair Ronn Campbell
Show Respondents
We are excited to hear about all the productions everyone is doing. But we are in desperate need of people to respond to those shows. We have wonderful resources for those interested in responding but nervous about doing it. Check out this video https://youtu.be/2q2-5-tJTWA.
If you are interested in getting on the respondent list, please contact your area coordinator:
• Respondent Coordinator (CA,NV) Angelina LaBarre alabarre@contracosta.edu
• Respondent Coordinator (AK,HI,ID,OR,WA) Paul Yeates yeatrich@isu.edu
• Respondent Coordinator (CO,MT,WY) John Hill jrhill58@gmail.com
Remember: If your school gets a response, you should give a response.
Irene Ryans
There have been a lot of questions about the format of the Ryans this year. So here is the plan. If you have any questions, please contact the Region 7 Ryan Coordinators.
Irene Ryan Acting Auditions
Preliminary Round: 2 contrasting monologues, time limit of 3 minutes total – recorded; submission via private YouTube link, or platform of regions choosing.
• Students (auditionee and partner) must have a paid registration to participate.
• Deadline for prelims will be before the regional festival – Feb 12, 2023.
• Selectors will review the preliminary round submissions and make their selections before the festival.
• Preliminary Round responses with regional faculty respondents will happen prior to the festival via zoom. Coordinators will work to schedule these sessions. [Please note: This is purposeful and would free up time at the in-person festival for other events.
Semi-Finalists are announced in-person at our opening ceremony. A featured workshop track will be highlighted at the festival for those students who don’t advance.
• Workshops on auditioning/acting, etc.
• NPP will be using student who are interested and who do not advance to be used in the Ten Minute Play Festival.
Semi-Final Round: performed Live at Festival: 1 monologue (from prelims, student’s choice) and one scene, time limit of 5 minutes total.
• Students will receive feedback from the Semi-Final Round Selectors.
• Finalist will be announced mid week.
Final Round: performed Live at Festival: 2 monologues from prelims and one scene, time limit of 6 minutes total.
Other Items
• Irene Ryan Nominees can serve as a partner for another Irene Ryan Nominees.
• Singing will not be allowed, it is recommended that those interested in singing explore the MTIs.
• Rules regarding Rights, Royalties, Slating, Timekeeping, uses of Props and Furniture will remain from previous years.
Nomination Process
• Two nominations for an Associate Production and three nominations for a Participating Productions.
• Self Nominations – will be allowed and encouraged.
Irene Ryan Acting Auditions – Seeks new coordinators
Do you have a passion for working with acting students? Do you want to help build a network for them and support their growth as performers? Then volunteering to be the Irene Ryan Coordinator and co-coordinator for Region 7 is a great way to fulfill those passions! Our current Irene Ryan Coordinator and co- Coordinator will be ending their tenure and are looking for a team of performance minded individuals to take over. You will work with them this coming festival and learn the ins and outs of the role and then have access to them as advisors when you take over for the following year.
Contact Shea King sking@tmcc.edu for more information.
URTA Designer Showcase at LDI
URTA is thrilled to announce the debut of the URTA Designer and Technician Showcase at LDI. The showcase will take place at the LDI show in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, November 19, 2022.
The one-day event will provide designers and technicians the opportunity to present their work and network with potential graduate school recruiters and employers.
As part of LDI’s Foster The Future and Young Career Professionals Program, the showcase will be particularly valuable for early-career designers and technicians, and compliments other LDI programming, including the Design Portfolio Review (Friday) where designers can receive professional feedback on their presentations ahead of the URTA showcase.
There is no additional fee to take part in the URTA Designer Showcase. However, space is limited, so participants are strongly encouraged to pre-register at URTA.com/LDI to reserve their place. Walk-in participants may take part as space permits. LDI provides highly discounted registration for young career professionals ages 18-25 to take part in the full conference program. All participants in the URTA Designer Showcase will get a free expo hall pass, where the showcase will take place. To learn more at the LDI show and their Young Career Professionals program, visit: ldishow.com.
For more information on the URTA Designer & Technician Showcase and to pre-register to reserve your table space at the showcase, please visit: urta.com/ldi.
October 5, 2022
FESTIVAL NEWS
Early Bird Registration begins October 7th and will run until December 15th. Tickets are available via the Whova app or on our website https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/, then select Individual and School Festival Registration for the link.
• Festival Registration – Early Bird discount of $25 off the regular price ends Dec 15th
o Student – Early Bird $75 / Reg $100
o Adjunct Faculty/Staff – Early Bird $85 / Reg $110
o Faculty – Early Bird $95 / Reg $120
• Festival App – We will be using the Whova app again this year. This will be the place to find schedules, announcements, and updates during the festival.
If you have questions, please reach out to the Region Chair.
NATIONAL PLAYWRITING PROGRAM
NPP Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) Initiative:
The Region 7 National Playwriting Program, along with partners in our region will be presenting a new award for an outstanding play written for young audiences. We are looking to amplify the genre of theatre for young audiences and ensure that TYA holds a position of prominence at the Region 7 Festival. The playwright honored with this award will receive a reading of their play at the 2023 festival and a reading of their play at Seattle Children’s Theatre. We will be accepting plays of all lengths from both students and faculty.
Please submit your plays by November 1, 2022 at: https://kcactf.submittable.com/submit.
For more information contact NPP chairs Jef Petersen at jjpetersen@lcsc.edu or Kamarie Chapman at kamarie.chapman@wwu.edu.
DEVISING INITIATIVE
Devising is loosely defined as the process of collaboratively creating a new work without a pre-existing script wherein the collaborators are also the performers. I say loosely because every devising company creates their own method of working based on the subject of investigation and the strengths of the collaborators. Not every company member must perform for it to be a devised piece, but the majority often does. In short, the collaborative creators are also the performers. If you are interested, this year’s prompt is below:
Devising Prompt
• Script Prompt “To see and be seen”
• Incorporation of a song: Thao and the get down stay down, “We the Common”
• Link to song https://youtu.be/1GIhARLtI6I
• Any portion of the song, played, sung, or lyric quoted- any way the music might be incorporated.
• Recipe elements: use as desired
1. 10 seconds of stillness or slow motion
2. Ensemble does something in unison
3. Someone or something gets lifted
If you have questions about the process or need clarification please contact:
Devising Coordinator Saffron Henke saffron.henke@colostate.edu
REGION POSITIONS
We are happy to introduce some new people into the Region 7 leadership. Please welcome them into their new roles. If you are interested in joining the leadership team, contact the Region 7 Chair, Ronn Campbell rcampbell@columbiabasin.edu.
• Chief Financial Officer – Steven Workman, Colorado State University
• Next Step Coordinator – Tamara L. Meneghini-Stalker, University of Colorado, Boulder
• Website Director – Scott Tedmon-Jones, University of Wyoming
• Scholarly Paper Coordinator – KT Turner, University of Idaho
PRODUCTION RESPONSES
We would like to remind you to submit your productions for responses as early as possible so that the Respondent Coordinators have time to schedule your respondents.
Click to submit https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/pre-professional-artist-training/kcactf/production-entry/.
Become a Respondent
Also, a reminder that if your school receives a response, it is expected that someone from your school gives a response. It is a great way to connect with your colleagues and see some amazing theater. If you are interested, please contact your area Respondent Coordinator for information and training. https://www.kcactf7.org/contact-us__trashed/region-7-contacts/
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
ETP currently has a contract to support the Seattle Convention Center. They are looking for recent graduates or current students for positions. If you have students you think might be interested, have them follow this link for more information.
September 1, 2022
Festival News
We are excited to announce that this year’s festival will be in-person! We are still working on the details and will be posting on the website as soon as we can.
We are curious how many of you plan on attending this year. Please fill out this form and let us know https://forms.gle/HoUTnmDBHNt7MDtf9
But, in the meantime this is the information we know you will need to begin:
• Festival Dates – February 19-24, 2023 in Spokane, WA
• Festival Hotel – DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center
o reservations: www.my-event.hilton.com/kcactfregion7festival55/
o Staying at the host hotel allows the region to receive use of banquet facilities for free.
• Festival Registration – Registration will go live Oct 1st. There will be an Early Bird discount of $25 off the regular price that will end Dec 15th
o Student – Early Bird $75 / Reg $100
o Adjunct Faculty/Staff – Early Bird $85 / Reg $110
o Faculty – Early Bird $95 / Reg $120
• Festival Workshop Applications – The workshop application form will go live November 1st
• Festival App – We will be using the Whova app again this year. This will be the place to find schedules, announcements, and updates during the festival.
Details of Keynote speakers, productions, and other events will be shared as soon as we can on the website https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/
If you have questions please reach out to the Region Chair.
Irene Ryans
There have been a lot of meetings and discussions over the summer with the Ryan Coordinators and Regional Chairs. Below you will find the details of how the auditions will be handled this year. Please share with your students and faculty. If you have any questions, please contact the Region 7 Ryan Coordinators.
Irene Ryan Acting Auditions
1. Preliminary Round: 2 contrasting monologues, time limit of 3 minutes total – recorded; submission via private YouTube link, or platform of region’s choosing.
• Students (auditionee and partner) must have a paid registration to participate.
• Deadline for prelims will be before the regional festival – set by each region.
• Selectors will review the preliminary round submissions and make their selections before the festival. • Preliminary Round responses with regional faculty respondents will happen prior to the festival (determined by each region) via zoom.. Coordinators will work to schedule these sessions.
[Please note: This is purposeful and would free up time at the in-person festival for other events. This could be amended region to region, but would allow for more flexibility and a greater faculty respondent pool, rather than being limited to only those faculty that come to regional festivals]
1. Semi-Finalists are announced at the in-person festival at our opening ceremony. (Number of students advancing to Semis is set by each region)
1. A featured workshop track will be highlighted at the festival for those students who don’t advance.
1. Workshops on auditioning/acting, etc.
2. NPP will be using students who are interested and who do not advance to be used in the Ten Minute Play Festival.
2. Semi-Final Round: performed Live at Festival: 1 monologue (from prelims, student’s choice) and one scene, time limit of 5 minutes total.
1. Students will receive feedback from the Semi-Final Round Selectors.
2. Finalist will be announced mid-week.
3. Final Round: performed Live at Festival: 2 monologues from prelims and one scene, time limit of 6 minutes total.
Other Items
• Irene Ryan Nominees can serve as a partner for another Irene Ryan Nominees.
• Singing will not be allowed, it is recommended that those interested in singing explore the MTIs.
• Rules regarding Rights, Royalties, Slating, Timekeeping, and uses of Props and Furniture will remain from previous years.
Nomination Process
1. Two nominations for Associate Production and three nominations for Participating Productions.
2. Self Nominations in each region will be allowed and encouraged.
Region Positions Open
We are looking for faculty/staff to join the Region 7 Executive Team. If you are interested in learning more about any of the following positions please contact the Regional Chair.
• Co-Vice Chairs (2 positions)
• RED Vice Chair
• Musical Theatre Initiative Co-Coordinator
• Website Coordinator
Production Responses
We would like to remind you to submit your productions for responses as early as possible so that the Respondent Coordinators have time to schedule your respondents.
Click to submit https://www.kennedy-center.org/education/opportunities-for-artists/pre-professional-artist-training/kcactf/production-entry/
Become a Respondent
Also, a reminder that if your school receives a response it is expected that someone from your school gives a response. It is a great way to connect with your colleagues and see some amazing theater. If you are interested please contact your area Respondent Coordinator for information and training. https://www.kcactf7.org/contact-us__trashed/region-7-contacts/
June 28, 2022
Greetings! If this finds you doing summer stock, summer classes, or taking some time off I hope you are having a great summer. KCACTF Region 7 leadership is working on our first in-person festival in many years. If you have questions or would like to help please let me know.
Ronn Campbell, MFA
Chair KCACTF Region VII
Festival 55 – Spokane 2023
The festival dates will be February 19-24, 2023 in Spokane, WA.
The festival hotel will be the Doubletree Spokane City Center and the Convention Center in Downtown Spokane. We will be posting hotel reservation links in September and please hold off making reservations until then. The region will have festival rates that will help you.
The region needs to secure 160 rooms each night of the festival to get the Ballrooms and Meetings rooms at no charge. If we do not meet this minimum, we will have to pay thousands more. Plus, 90% of the festival will be happening at the hotel and the convention center next door. So be in the center of the action and plan to stay here.
Acting Scholarship Updates
This summer KCACTF will be making changes to the Irene Ryan Auditions. The Irene Ryan foundation stopped sponsoring the event a couple of years ago. In a couple of weeks, Chairs and Coordinators will be meeting to finalize changes going forward.
Here is a list of items that will be discussed.
• Name – The leading suggestion is to change the name to the Acting Scholarship Auditions.
• Nominations – Will nominations resulting from responses change? Self-nominations from students that were not involved in productions at their school will also be formalized.
• Audition format – Topics will include video submissions, length, partners and time.
We realize this is a big change. If you have suggestions of how you would like to see this event happen. Please contact the region chair, Ronn Campbell.
Do you have new faculty?
Thank you to those that have sent us the updates to their directory information. If your department has new faculty joining you or faculty that have left due to retirement or other reasons, we would like to know. Please review your school’s information in the directory on the KCACTF Region 7 website and let us know what changes are needed.
https://www.kcactf7.org/participating-schools/
Employment
The Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing at BSU is taking applications for two positions to start this fall semester: Technical Director and Costume Construction Manager. You can find the information below. If you know of anyone who may be interested in these positions please pass this info on.
Technical Director
https://jobs.boisestate.edu/en-us/job/496829/technical-director
Costume Construction Manager
https://jobs.boisestate.edu/en-us/job/496802/costume-construction-manager
May 4, 2022
HAPPY STAR WARS DAY!
We hope your spring is going really well. We have some information about the National Events happening this month. We will be starting our planning for next year’s in-person festival in Spokane, WA February 20-24, 2022! Details will be shared on social media and the website as it is available.
Ronn Campbell, Chair Region 7
RESPONDENTS NEEDED!
Hello my fellow faculty members Region 7 needs you! The region is really excited to see so many productions it is starting to feel like normal again. But, we are in desperate need for more respondents to see all of these shows. We will have training available for everyone who signs ups. We like the thought that if you get a response, you should give a response. Also, it is great way to connect with your colleagues in the region and see the incredible work they are producing. If you are interested or have question please contact Co-Vice Chair Vanessa Ballam vanessaballam@isu.edu
The 2023 Prague Quadrennial
The next edition of the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Space and Design will take place from June 8-18, 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. Prazska Trznice – The Prague Market will serve as the main venue in the Holesovice neighborhood of Prague.
USITT recognizes that designers and theatre artists span a breadth of career trajectories and self-define in a multitude of ways. USITT seeks work from EMERGING/EARLY CAREER Designers — typically students and/or a rising designer within five years of embracing their unique identity as a practicing visual creator.
USITT seeks work from designers and creators from all cultural, racial, and gender identities. We also welcome all forms of innovative performance design from performance art, site specific, museum and devised work to more traditional forms and genres.
There are two ways in which a student/early career designer may submit their work for jurying:
1- Through the USA/USITT submission portal for jury by the USA team of jurors and curators to be exhibited as part of the open-air USA EMERGING/EARLY CAREER pavilion. Submissions must be completed by June 1, 2022. PQ23.USITT.org
2- Through the PQ STUDIO submission portal [UN]COMMON DESIGN PROJECT curated by Patrick Du Wors. Performance design course leaders/instructors/professors must submit a simple online form between 1 September 2022 and 1 October 2022 indicating they intend to participate by setting the [UN]Common Design Project as a course assignment or independent study (for advanced students). By January 31, you will be requested to select ONE entry for submission from your institution. Students whose projects are accepted for review by a team of international designers must pay their own travel and housing to/in Prague. USITT members may apply for travel grants. https://www.pq.cz/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/PQ-Studio-–-Open-Call.pdf
For more information visit PQ23.USITT.org
NATIONAL AWARDS
The 2022 National Awards of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival
For productions showcased at the eight Regional Festivals in January and February, 2022
The National Committee of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival celebrates these institutions, productions, an individuals for their determination, adaptability, innovation and experimentation on home campuses nationwide:
The Citizen Artist Awards
The Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Awards recognize programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact through an artistic lens, to encourage empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and to advocate for justice on campus and throughout the world.
Dancing with Demons – Worcester State University
Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Facing Our Truth – Iowa State University
Lonely Planet – Doane University
Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
Pipeline – Bowie State University
Severe Clear – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Small Mouth Sounds – Wellesley College
Songs for a New World – Iowa State University
Water by the Spoonful – SUNY Brockport
Fire Dance – Spokane Falls Community College
Bootycandy – Stephen F. Austin University
Cenicienta – University of Texas at El Paso
Fahrenheit 451 – Florida International University
I and You – Clemson University
Pretty Fire – North Carolina A&T State University
Sweet Mama Stringbean – Florida A&M University
A Surge of Power – California State University, Dominguez Hills
Brown Face – University of California, Riverside
He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Rochester Institute of Technology & the National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Special Achievement in the Production of a Play
Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Lonely Planet – Doane University
Oedipus Tremendous – Boise State University
I and You – Clemson University
Antigone – Mesa Community College
Special Achievement in the Production of a New Work
Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Making Melrose – Slippery Rock University
Severe Clear – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Trivoya Gold – Wayne State University
A Divine Kerfuffle – College of the Mainland
A Sudden Spontaneous Event – College of Charleston
Brown Face – University of California, Riverside
He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Special Achievement in the Production of a Musical
Making Melrose – Slippery Rock University
Songs for a New World – Iowa State University
Trivoya Gold – Wayne State University
Ordinary Days – Idaho State University
Sweet Mama Stringbean – Florida A&M University
Special Achievement in the Production of a Devised or Company-Generated Work
Dancing with Demons – Worcester State University
Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
Severe Clear – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
A Surge of Power – California State University, Dominguez Hills
Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Special Achievement: Innovative Theatrical Experience
Ghost Unit: The Live Event -Southwestern University
Special Achievement: Hybrid Production
Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Special Achievement in Puppetry Arts
Mindy Escobar-Leanse – Cenicienta – University of Texas at El Paso (Puppetry Consultant)
Em Rossi – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University (Puppet Designer)
Special Achievement in Production Design
Endgame – Emporia State University
Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
A Sudden Spontaneous Event – College of Charleston
Fahrenheit 451 – Florida International University
I and You – Clemson University
He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Special Achievement in Costume Design
Em Rossi – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Shaed Parker – Pretty Fire – North Carolina A&T State University
Abby Lopez – Antigone – Mesa Community College
Special Achievement in Scenic Design
Lex van Blommestein – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Kenton Jones – Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Nancy J. Pontius – Endgame – Emporia State University
Ceci Barr – Lonely Planet – Doane University
Gordon Phetteplace – Making Melrose – Slippery Rock University
Douglas J. Macur – Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
Rob Sunderman – Songs for a New World – Iowa State University
Julia Mimó – A Sudden Spontaneous Event – College of Charleston
Shannon Robert – I and You – Clemson University
Special Achievement in Lighting Design
David Pierce – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Seth Amadel– Antigone – University of Detroit, Mercy
Christian McKinney- Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Mason Nicks – Endgame – Emporia State University
Lauren Walther – Lonely Planet – Doane University
Brandon Washington – Oedipus Tremendous – Boise State University
Tony Penna – I and You – Clemson University
Jonah Bobilin – He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Joshua Christ – Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Sacha Glasser – Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Rochester Institute of Technology & the National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Special Achievement in Mask Design – Lexi Trujillo – Antigone – Mesa Community College
Special Achievement in Properties Design – Keli Crawford-Truckey and Alec VanHorn – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Special Achievement in Sound Design
Dan Zini – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Patrick Sedivy – Lonely Planet – Doane University
Shaun Maus and Mike Morgan – R.U.R. – Miami University
Rachel Dandridge – I and You – Clemson University
Nick Magel – Antigone – Mesa Community College
Dan Roach – Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Rochester Institute of Technology & the National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Special Achievement in Projection Design
Gregory Manchess and Dan Zini – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
James Leagre with Kyle Jeanor– Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Douglas J. Macur – Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
Dan Roach – Water by the Spoonful – SUNY Brockport
Robert Allen – I and You – Clemson University
Dan Roach – Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Rochester Institute of Technology & the National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Special Achievement in Production and Performance Ensemble Unity
Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Lonely Planet – Doane University
Pipeline – Bowie State University
Small Mouth Sounds – Wellesley College
Songs for a New World – Iowa State University
Oedipus Tremendous – Boise State University
Ordinary Days – Idaho State University
Cenicienta – University of Texas at El Paso
I and You – Clemson University
Wiley and the Hairy Man – Northeast State Community College
Brown Face – University of California, Riverside
Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Angels in America: Millennium Approaches – Rochester Institute of Technology & the National Technical Institute of the Deaf
Special Achievement in Direction by Student Artists
Sahira Parker – Pipeline – Bowie State University
Kaipulaumakaniolono – He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Mason Morrill – Lonely Planet – Doane University
Special Achievement in Direction by Faculty Artists
Keli Crawford-Truckey – Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Elena Velasco – Pipeline – Bowie State University
Gordan Reinhart – Oedipus Tremendous – Boise State University
Becky Becker – I and You – Clemson University
Greg Parmeter – Severe Clear – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Jill Dion – Trivoya Gold – Wayne State University
Cat Priamos – Brown Face – University of California, Riverside
Grace Keirstead and Sarah Bowles – Out of Bounds – Southern Connecticut State University
Special Achievement in Ensemble Performance
Antigone – University of Detroit, Mercy
Making Melrose – Slippery Rock University
Ready, Steady, Yeti, Go! – SUNY Potsdam
Severe Clear – University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Stop Kiss – Ramapo College of New Jersey
Men on Boats – Sam Houston State University
A Divine Kerfuffle – College of the Mainland
Pretty Fire – North Carolina A&T State University
A Surge of Power – California State University, Dominguez Hills
Special Achievement in Individual Performance
Amarae’ Robinson -Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Wyatt Jorgensen- Lonely Planet – Doane University
Rakell Foye- Pipeline – Bowie State University
Carolina Flores Parada- Cenicienta – University of Texas at El Paso
Akasha Nelson– I and You – Clemson University
Gabriela Machuca -Brown Face – University of California, Riverside –
Ka`ula Krug- He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Kaneikoliakawahineika`iukapuomua Baker -He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Ceilo Guzman -Tedious Demons – Mt San Antonio College
Keenan Roark -Oedipus Tremendous –Boise State University
Allyssia Peine- Ordinary Days – Idaho State University
Special Achievement in Movement Direction
Lex van Blommestein and Em Rossi- Above the Timberline – Northern Michigan University
Grant Williams- Drowning Ophelia – University of Indianapolis
Special Achievement in Dramaturgy – Kalie Marie – Antigone – Mesa Community College
Special Achievement in Musical Direction
Danielle Wright – Trivoya Gold – Wayne State University
Ka Waihona A Ke Aloha, Kumu R. Keaw Lopes Jr. & the Tuahine Troupe – He Leo Aloha – University of Hawai`i at Manoa
Special Achievement in Cinematography and Editing – Paran Kashani – John Hughes Wrote My Diary – Normandale Community College
Special Achievement in Cinematography – Calvin Clark – Songs for a New World – Iowa State University
Special Achievement in Editing a Virtual or Hybrid Event – Lexie Farrer – Trivoya Gold – Wayne State University
JOB POSTINGS
Lecturer in Communication Arts/Technical Director of Theatre
Western Colorado University
Western Colorado University invites applications for the position of Lecturer in Communication Arts/Technical Director of Theatre within the Communication Arts B.A. program. This is a full-time, 9-month, 30 credit hour appointment, with 12 credit hours of teaching and 18 reassign credit hours for Technical Directing duties per year. To apply, go to www.western.edu/jobs and use our online application portal. Required attachments to your online application include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, evidence of professional or higher education theatre production work, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and contact information for three references.
For more information, please contact Professor/Chair Jack Lucido jlucido@western.edu.
April 2022
ATHE CALL FOR PAPERS
The Graduate Student Subcommittee (GSSC) and the Black Theatre Association (BTA), a constituent group and focus group, respectively, with the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE), are pleased to release their calls for papers. The groups seek submissions for Graduate Student Teaching Demonstrations, a Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Forum, and the BTA debut panel, an opportunity for graduate students and young professionals who have never presented at the conference before. Please reach out via email for more information about the Calls (katurner@uidaho.edu).
For more information on ATHE and the 2022 conference in Detroit, please visit https://www.athe.org/
NATIONAL AWARDS
National Fellows- the Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy
- Region 1: Madeleine Adriance, Brown University
- Region 2: Gloria Oladipo, Cornell University
- Region 3: Brandi Shook, Wayne State University
- Region 4: Lauren Phillips, Campbellsville University
- Region 5: Abigail Shepherd, University of Kansas
- Region 6: Lucy Knight, Louisiana Tech
- Region 7: Lexi Warden, Dartmouth College, and Elijah Rakha-Shaketoff, Western Washington University
- Region 8: Jessica Doherty, University of Southern California
The students above are the National ITJA Fellows, selected from three assignments by Ashley Lee, in consultation with the regional coordinators. Each have been contacted about the National Festival experience.
THE MICHAEL KANIN PLAYWRITING AWARDS 2022
The Harold and Mimi Steinberg National Student Playwriting Awards
Brown Face – Carissa Atallah, University of California, Riverside
Second Place
Edge of Town – Kyle McCloskey, UCLA
and
Happy Birthday Mars Rover – Preston Choi, University of California, San Diego
The National Undergraduate Playwriting Awards
Where do Peaches Grow? – Becca Carter Freeman, Boston University
Ruby – Greta Smith, University of Sioux Falls
Second Place
To All the Strange Boys Who Had to Grow Up – William O’Neal II, Emory University
Distinguished Achievement
Flying Through Windows – Luke Pound, Clark University
The David Mark Cohen Playwriting Awards
Love I Awethu Further – A.K. Payne, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University
Second Place
Where do Peaches Grow? – Becca Carter Freeman, Boston University
Distinguished Achievement
Brown Face – Carissa Atallah, University of California, Riverside
The Lorraine Hansberry Playwriting Awards
The Deliverance – Daysha Veronica, UCLA
Second Place
Bite Me – Eliana Pipes, Playwrights Theatre of Boston University
Distinguished Achievement
To All the Strange Boys Who Had to Grow Up – William O’Neal II, Emory University
The Latinx Playwriting Awards
Two Apprentices Were the Only Volunteers – Malena Pennycook, University of Texas at Austin
Second Place
a river, its mouths – Jesús I. Valles, Brown University
Manning – Benjamin Benne, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University
Distinguished Achievement
The Psychic and the Clown – Julio Lourido, Borough of Manhattan Community College
This Bitch: Esta Sangre Quiero – Adrienne Dawes, University of Arkansas
Waycross – Jayne Deely, Indiana University
The Paula Vogel Playwriting Awards
Edge of Town – Kyle McCloskey, UCLA
Second Place
Two Apprentices Were the Only Volunteers – Malena Pennycook, University of Texas at Austin
Evelyn and His Brothers – Ivan Mosley, Ohio University
Distinguished Achievement
Driving in Circles – Jay Eddy, Boston Playwrights Theatre at Boston University
Manning – Benamin Benne, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale
The Ken Ludwig Playwriting Scholarship
For a body of work
Brittany Fisher, the Juilliard School
Your Regularly Scheduled Programming,
Mosaics in the Projects,
How to Bruise Gracefully
The Rosa Parks Playwriting Awards
Two Apprentices Were the Only Volunteers – Malena Pennycook, University of Texas at Austin
The Deliverance – Daysha Veronica, UCLA
Second Place
Love I Awethu Further – A.K. Payne, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University
The Paul Stephen Lim Playwriting Awards
Coleman ’72 – Charlie Oh, the Juilliard School
Second Place
Home Free – Aaron Pae Klein, University of Michigan
Sharon – Keiko Green, University of California San Diego
Distinguished Achievement
Flight of a Legless Bird – Ethan Luk, Princeton University
Insignificant Bugs – Keiko Green, University of California San Diego
The Darrell Ayers National Playwriting Awards
Happy Birthday Mars Rover – Preston Choi, University of California, San Diego
Second Place
The Vivian Play – Emily Zhou, University of Maryland College Park
Distinguished Achievement
To All the Strange Boys Who Had to Grow Up – William O’Neal II, Emory University
Distinguished Achievement, One-Act Play
This is How You Capture the Light – Kandace James, Carnegie Mellon University
The Hip Hop Theatre Creator Awards
Teeth: A Morality Play… For an Orca-Struh uh Black Folk Tied uh Grinnin’
Syreeta Briggs, Savannah College of Art and Design
Second Place
littleboy/littleman – Rudi Goblen, David Geffen School of Drama, Yale University
One-Act Play
This is How You Capture the Light – Kandace James, Carnegie Mellon University
Ten-Minute Play
Power Lines – Nathanael Hatchett, Bowie State University
The Planet Earth Arts Awards
In association with Stanford University
Full Length Play
Happy Birthday Mars Rover – Preston Choi, University of California, San Diego
One-Act Play
With Our Bodies – Yasmeen Mir, University of Missouri
Ten-Minute Play
Power Lines – Nathanael Hatchett, Bowie State University
The Mark Twain Prizes for Comic Playwriting
Acts of Creation – Brianna Barrett, UCLA
Second Place
Your Regularly Scheduled Programming – Brittany Fisher, the Juilliard School
Distinguished Achievement
Bite Me – Eliana Pipes, Playwrights Theatre of Boston University
The Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Awards
Driving in Circles – Jay Eddy, Playwrights Theatre of Boston University
Second Place
Edge of Town – Kyle McCloskey, UCLA
Two Apprentices Were the Only Volunteers – Malena Pettycook, University of Texas Austin
Distinguished Achievement
a river, its mouths – Jesús Valles, Brown University
Egg Tooth – J.C. Pankratz, Playwrights Theatre at Boston University
Manning – Benamin Benne, David Geffen School of Drama at Yale
THE KCACTF Musical Theatre Awards
Teeth: A Morality Play… For an Orca-Struh uh Black Folk Tied uh Grinnin’
Syreeta Briggs, Savannah College of Art and Design
Driving in Circles
Jay Eddy, Boston Playwrights Theatre at Boston University
The National Finalists for the John Cauble Award for Outstanding Short Play
This is How You Capture the Light by Kandace James, Carnegie Mellon University
Seahorse by J.C. Pankratz, Boston University
The Vivian Play by Emily Zhou, University of Maryland, College Park
The National Finalists for the Gary Garrison National Ten-Minute Play Award
What’s in a Name? by Art Por Diaz, San Francisco State University
academic play by Kyndal Harrison, University of Virginia
The Only Thing You Came to Hear by Thaddeus McCants, New York University
Stall Talk by Josie Palmarini, Ohio University
UNPACK THAT!
REGION VII CALL TO ACTION
Several students, faculty, administrators, and community members from Region VII came together in two workshop sessions (Unpack This! and Unpack That!) at the 2022 festival to discuss what is and isn’t working at their universities. Our regional leadership wanted these sessions to serve as a check in and way to offer the regional some feedback and support. We recognize that the responses were from a limited group of attendees and represent a small portion of the region. However, the regional leadership hopes that all departments and faculty can utilize this information to reflect on their own policy, procedures, and department culture to determine what changes may still need to be made.
Overall, we heard the students speak highly of many of their Theatre faculty, acknowledge the diverse topics of their classes, and state that they felt supported by their department. However, what we also heard from students is that certain institutional and industry practices and policies are harmful. We would like to highlight how these harmful practices and policies directly affect retention and enrollment.
The three major areas of concerns that we heard from students and faculty were Transparency, Representation, and Power Dynamics. Each of these topics possessed within them recurring themes such as curriculum, casting, policy and procedures, student recruitment, and faculty hiring.
In hearing from the faculty, there was a desire to make change but a concern about where or how to start. We’ve compiled some resources in this Google Folder that might be useful. Please feel free to add your own resources.
As we continue to grow and develop better practices as individuals, as departments, as a region, and as a field, we know that our focus will shift and change. The regional leadership hopes that together we can share the knowledge and resources necessary to co-create a more just and equitable way forward through this artform we all love and respect so much.
Transparency
Hiring Practices:
- Are students given a voice in the hiring of new faculty, staff, or guest artists? Such as a chance to meet or speak with the candidates and offer feedback to the hiring committee?
- Does the department discuss with students or student representatives the needs of the department as they relate to the hiring of new faculty, staff, or guest artists?
- Does the department ensure that new faculty, staff, or guest artists are using the same language and tools as the department or are given the opportunity and support to learn those tools, i.e., Theater intimacy training and antiracism?
Curriculum:
- Does your department have explanations detailing why individual classes are taught? Why do they matter? And why are they needed for professional artists?
- Are you teaching classes that address the experiences and needs of people of the global majority even if your student body is predominantly white?
- Do faculty/staff have the training to take care of and protect all hair textures? How are you supporting faculty/staff in getting this training?
- Are you teaching all students how to care for and protect different hair textures?
- re you teaching all students how to find access to a wide range of makeup shades/colors?
Casting:
- For every production does your faculty provide expectations, outcomes, and breakdowns for casting?
- Does your department utilize breakdowns for casting calls? Do those breakdowns rely on biased or coded language (i.e., When “athletic” becomes code for thin; “Sassy and flamboyant man” becomes code for gay man; or “urban” becomes code for Black)? Do they include pedagogical needs/outcomes?
Season selection:
- Are students involved in the season selection process?
- Does your department communicate to students why the season selection looks the way it does?
- Do you discuss the pedagogical needs of the department as they relate to season selection?
Policy/Procedures:
- Does your department have a Handbook that details practices and expectations for students AND practices and expectations of Faculty?
- What policies and procedures does your department or university have in place for grievances that may arise between students and faculty? Do students know where to find this information?
Support of Transfer Students:
- In what ways does your department support transfer students? Is there a transfer student handbook or section in the department handbook?
- If you offer a BFA, how do you ensure that transfer students can access these tracks and succeed in them?
- Is there a mechanism in place that ensures key/core classes that transfer students have previously taken fit within the curriculum of your department? How are they underprepared for coursework in your department?
- How does your department help transfer students integrate into the department culture and with their cohorts?
Representation
Curriculum:
- Does your curriculum teach examples of work from multiple cultural perspectives?
- Are cultural perspectives outside of the cis heterosexual white canon an integrated part of your curriculum or an addendum?
Casting:
- Do you have a student body with diverse cultural, gender, sexuality, ethnic, ability, and neurological backgrounds?
- Are you casting community members and/or faculty in roles that limit student involvement? What are your intentions in doing so? And how does it hurt and/or benefit students’ education or involvement?
- If casting for plays that require global majority actors, even when your department lacks that representation, can/do you reach out to global majority students outside of your program?
- How can that benefit/grow your program?
- Do you help these non-theatre students acclimate to the culture of the department?
- Are your expectations clear? (Do they know how much time/energy rehearsal will require? Do you work with their schedules and other demands?)
- When casting non-theatre students in roles, are you transparent about why you’re doing this and how this expands or limits opportunities?
- Do you utilize conscious casting practices whether for race/ethnicity, sexuality, gender, body size, ability, etc..?
- Are you asking your performers to do double duty such as asking performers of the global majority to perform whiteness and the character they’ve been cast as?
- Please see: Dunn, Kaja Amado. “Hidden Damage: When Uninformed Casting and Actor Training Disregard the Effect of Character Embodiment on Students of Color.” Theatre Symposium 27 (2019): 68-79. doi: 10.1353/tsy.2019.0005.
- Are you creating inaccessibility for actors by subscribing to stereotypes of how character archetypes are “meant to look?”
- The Lover.
- The Hero.
- The Magician.
- The Outlaw.
- The Explorer.
- The Sage.
- The Innocent.
- The Creator.
Faculty:
- What are the demographics of your faculty and staff?
- Do students have access to mentors that look like them or experience the world through similar identities?
Recruiting:
- What are the demographics of your current student population?
- Are your current students actively involved in the recruiting process?
- What is your department doing to address the obstacles facing students of the global majority in your recruiting process?
- Are your recruiting materials an accurate representation of your department? Have you tokenized your students of the global majority?
Power Dynamics
Department Philosophy/Ethics:
- How is your department empowering students in their creative work?
- How are you bringing students into the collaborative process? Are you challenging traditional theatre hierarchies (I.e., the faculty is all-knowing)?
- Are you exploiting your graduate students as cheap pedagogical labor? Are you paying them a living wage?
- Are the graduate students being adequately supported as they’re learning to teach?
- Are you supporting GA taught classes in a way that ensures undergraduates receive the education they deserve?
JOB POSTINGS
University of Montana seeks an adjunct instructor to oversee and manage the costume shop, costume storage and the construction of costumes for all theatre and dance productions in the School of Theatre & Dance. This position requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work with a wide range of expertise from student workers to faculty/guest designers/guest directors, and the capacity to meet production demands on time and on budget. The successful candidate must have the skills and training to effectively supervise and teach students multiple facets of costume technology (in conjunction with costume design and technology faculty), solve costume construction issues, handle multitasking, maintain all costume equipment, and oversee rentals and storage of costumes. Possible opportunity to design costumes for season productions. This one-year salaried position will work with the faculty/staff in the School and will be supervised by the Director of the School of Theatre & Dance. $36,000/year with benefits. Bachelor’s degree required. Review begins 4/8/22; continues until filled. Position begins 8/22/22. Send inquiries to umtheatredance@umontana.edu. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer.
Lindenwood University is looking for an ATD (Technical Theatre Coordinator) The technical theatre coordinator is responsible for supporting productions in the Performing Arts department of Lindenwood’s College of Arts and Humanities by serving as scene shop manager
Lindenwood University is looking for an Lighting Designer (Lighting Coordinator). The lighting coordinator is responsible for designing and executing professional-level lighting for productions in support of the Performing Arts department of Lindenwood’s College of Arts and Humanities. https://lindenwood.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CareerOpportunities/job/St-Charles-Campus/Lighting-Coordinator–10-Months-_R0010630
March 2022
REGION VII FESTIVAL
We hope you had a wonderful time at festival this year. We want to thank all the workshop presenters, speakers, respondents and attendees for a successful week.
We are excited to return to an in-person festival next year during our typical week February 20-24, 2023 in Spokane, WA. The Host Hotel will be the Doubletree Spokane. Links for Festival hotel rates and other details will be coming soon.
ATHE/KCACTF
Prize for Innovative Teaching
Each year the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) grants a prize to be given to one college/university faculty member in each of the 8 KCACTF regions to recognize innovation in teaching theatre. This year Region 7 is being represented by Ashley DeMoville from Spokane Falls Community College. She will receive a free one-year membership to ATHE and an ATHE Conference fee voucher.
Congratulations Ashley!
REGIONAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
We are beginning the search for a new Regional CFO. Many thanks to Scott Robinson who has served the region for many years in this position. Below is a brief description of the responsibilities. If you are interested in this role or want more information, please email ChairRegion7@gmail.com
Region 7 is seeking a chief financial officer to oversee financial planning, track cash flow and provide analysis of the region’s financial position via year end reports. Training will be provided, and we would like to begin the transition summer 2022. Previous business management experience is beneficial but not required. This is a volunteer position with a small stipend.
WEBSITE MANAGER
Region 7 is seeking a website manager that would maintain, update information, and photos on the current website. We have a webmaster that can do major changes if needed. This is a year round position with the majority of activity through the fall. If you are interested in this role or want more information, please email ChairRegion7@gmail.com
SCHOLARLY PAPER COODINATOR
Region 7 is seeking someone to take the reins of the Scholarly Paper competition from George Caldwell (thank you so much George). This position collects submissions of scholarly papers from undergraduates and graduates typically in the fall. Then works with readers to select the finalists that are announced at festival. If you are interested in this role or want more information, please email ChairRegion7@gmail.com
JOB POSTINGS
Visiting Assistant Professor – Acting/Directing
Full time Visiting Assistant Professor position in Acting/Directing open at Hope College in Holland, MI. This position will most likely be a continuing position after the first year. Load for each semester is directing 1 play and teaching 3 courses. Please consider applying and feel free to reach out to Department Chair, Michelle Bombe at bombe@hope.edu if you have any questions.
https://jobs.hope.edu/postings/979
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
The festival begins next week!
The Region 7 festival February 14-19 is putting the finishing touches on events.
Download the Whova app to access all the Zoom links for events, workshops, and Keynote Speakers!
Click the link to purchase your tickets today https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202102/
The tickets are Students $60 and Faculty/Staff $80 (plus processing fees)
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
We have attached the schedule of events with this newsletter. Zoom links to events will be available via the Whova App. Please note the times listed are for Pacific Standard Time (please adjust for other zones). There are workshop sessions at 2pm and 4pm everyday with options for you to select from.
We wanted to highlight a few sessions
- Opening Ceremonies – Monday Feb 14th at 6pm
- DTM Keynote Panel – Thursday Feb 17th 2-4pm
- Keynote Speaker Vincent Rodriguez III – Friday Feb 18th at 6pm
- Awards Ceremony – Saturday Feb 19th at 6pm
FESTIVAL PRODUCTIONS
There will be 7 shows available to you to view through out the week. Most will be available all week for you to enjoy when time allows. Each day of the schedule we will be highlighting a couple of productions. We are excited to share the wonderful work of programs in Region 7.
January 31, 2022
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
Have you Registered yet?
We are 2 weeks away from the opening ceremony of our festival February 14-19.
Click the link to purchase your tickets today https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202102/
The tickets are Students $60 and Faculty/Staff $80 (plus processing fees)
NEXT STEP
KCACTF Region VII offers Festival participants a wonderful opportunity to take the next step in their educational or professional growth with this chance to be seen and heard by professional theatre companies, casting directors, BA and BFA schools, as well as graduate and summer training programs.
Want your work to be seen and heard by professional theatre companies and casting representatives? This year’s Next Step Auditions and DTM Portfolio Presentations will be entirely online/pre-recorded Submission deadline for 2022 is February 1st. Individual callbacks will be arranged by professionals represented after February 5th
Here are the links to the Next Step Forms on Submittable
Next Step DTM – Click here
Next Step Performance Transfer to 4-Year School – Click here
Next Step Performance Graduate School/Internship – Click here
Next Step Performance Summer or Year-Round Work – Click here
If you are interested in both educational opportunities AND work opportunities please fill out the appropriate form for your educational level AND the Summer/Year Round Work Form.
IF you have questions please contact the Next Step Coordinator – Tamara L. Meneghini-Stalker tamara.meneghini@colorado.edu
ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE
KCACTF Region VII RED Advisory Board (Representation,Equity) is pleased to announce that Native American Theatre: Red Eagle Soaring from Seattle Washington will be our Artist-In-Residence for the next two years. They will continue to offer workshops and presentations during the festival which may include new works, guest artists and other events. Please check out their website: https://www.redeaglesoaring.org/
This year they will be offering:
- Tuesday February 15 4:00pm-5:30pm
Title: Native American Theatre: Red Eagle Rising, An Artist-In-Residence KCACTF Region VII, History: Past, Present and Future - Wednesday February 16 2:00pm-3:30pm
Title: Native American Theatre: Red Eagle Rising, An Artist-In-Residence KCACTF Region VII, National Indigenous Theatre and a presentation of Black Rush and Killer Whale. - Wednesday February 16 4:00pm-5:30pm
Title: Native American Theatre: Red Eagle Rising, An Artist-In-Residence KCACTF Region VII, A drop in open house with actor/playwright Dylan Thomas Elwood.
LATINX THEATRE EXPERIENCE
The LatinX Theatre Experience (La experiencia del teatro LatinX):
- A Professional and International Presence (Jimmy Noriega)
- Playwriting: Historical and Current Visions (Carlos Manuel)
- Latinx Theatre in Educational and Community Settings ( Linda Amayo-Hassan)
- Connecting the Experiences: Latinx Theatre Overview (Ed Trujillo)
The presenters are of national and international stature which include directors, playwrights, educators, and actors.
The purpose of the workshops is to give an overview of what Latinx Theatre means now and for the future. Each presentation will cover not only the main topic, but also history, education, and community development. The presentations are open to all faculty, students and staff.
In an ideal setting, it would be great to attend all workshops
WORKSHOP HELP
We are looking for someone to Lead a workshop for students interested in graduate school.
This is the suggested topic –
Let’s Talk About Grad School
Open to students interested in going to grad school or potentially going into higher education. What do you need? What can you expect?
If you are interested and willing in leading a workshop like this for our students, please contact the Regional Chair, Ronn Campbell this week
IN MEMORIAM
Region VII lost one of the giants of performance and directing last week. We received the sad news that Forrest Sears, Emeritus Professor of the University of Idaho, passed away on January 26th. In a career spanning five decades, he directed over 120 productions, and mentored many young theatre artists.
The Region celebrated Forrest in 2020 with our highest honor the KCACTF Gold Medallion for his lifetime service and contribution to theatre. We would like to thank him one more time, he will be missed but not forgotten.
January 24, 2022
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
Have you Registered yet?
We are inching closer to the start of the festival February 14-19. Click the link to purchase your tickets today.
https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202102/
You will need the following for each ticket:
- Name
- Email address
- School Name
The tickets are Students $60 and Faculty/Staff $80 (plus processing fees)
Group Registration – You can purchase up to 10 students and 10 faculty tickets per email used to order. You will be then prompted to submit the information above for each ticket. Please be sure you have an individual email for each student/faculty.
Please check our website for festival information https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/
PERFORMANCE KEYNOTE SPEAKER
We are so excited to announce our Keynote Speaker for festival 54!
Vincent Rodriguez III
Friday February 18th 6:00pm PST
Vincent Rodriguez III is a Filipino-American actor best known for playing Josh Chan in The CW’s multiple Emmy award-winning show “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and Henry in Amazon Prime’s “With Love.” Prior to moving to Los Angeles, he was a stage actor in NYC for 11 years. You can also hear Vincent in “Arlo the Alligator Boy,” “I Heart Arlo,” “The Ghost and Molly McGee,” and “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
DTM KEYNOTE PANEL
A diverse group of lighting designers are excited to share what they love about making theatre, their individual career paths, ways they believe the path could be more inclusive and equitable, and how we can advocate for change in our industry and beyond.
The panel will include: (click their names for more information)
Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew (She/her) an award-winning multi-disciplinary theatrical designer for theatre, dance, opera, musicals, music performances, installation, immersive experiences and digital productions
Alejandro Fajardo (he/him) a Colombian lighting designer based in Lenapehoking (Brooklyn). Alejandro strongly believes that art and imagination can help guide our communities through the current crises we face and build a new future that centers community care and growth.
Barbara Samuels (She/her) a queer lighting designer, organizer and producer residing on unceded Wappinger and Munsee Lenape land. Barbara received Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award nominations for her lighting of the immersive sci-fi folk concert, Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future (Ars Nova).
WHOVA APP
Once you have registered for the festival you will want to download the Whova App. You can download the app on your phone or computer. This is where we will be posting all the information and links for the festival workshops, plays links, keynote speaker links etc. The list of workshops will be posted in February.
DEADLINES
Deadlines for several events are approaching quickly. Please visit our website for the details of each one. If you have questions please contact the area coordinators.
https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/
January 17, 2022
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
Have you Registered yet?
We are about a month away from the start of the festival February 14-19. The registration tickets are now open for you to purchase via the Whova app. Click the link to purchase your tickets today https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202102/
You will need the following for each ticket:
- Name
- Email address
- School Name
The tickets are Students $60 and Faculty/Staff $80 (plus processing fees)
Group Registration – You can purchase up to 10 students and 10 faculty tickets per email used to order. You will be then prompted to submit the information above for each ticket. Please be sure you have an individual email for each student/faculty.
Please check our website for festival information https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/
MTI DEADLINE EXTENTION
Due to Covid surges and other extenuating circumstances, we are extending the MTI submission deadline to January 21, 2022. Please take advantage of the extension and submit! Your audition will receive written feedback from a fabulous panel of judges, the 16 Finalists will be coached one-on-one by industry professionals, and the winner will represent the region in the National competition! All details as well as the submission form can be found at https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/
HONORS AND AWARDS
Every year we honor individuals that represents the best of Region 7 with one of two awards. Here are this year’s recipients. We will be honoring both of these fine individuals during the festival at the Faculty Awards Ceremony. We will have a way for you to share your stories and praise with them directly. Details to come.
The Kennedy Center Medallion – Patrick Dizney
Each year, the eight KCACTF regions honor individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Most importantly, recipients have demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF and to excellence in educational theatre. It is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the great honors in theatre education.
Patrick Dizney began his involvement with KCACTF through his mentor Mark Kuntz who was regional chair at Eastern Oregon University in the early 1990s where he was a student, traveling with Mark to see shows and watch him respond. Since that time Patrick’s impact on the region is immense. Patrick has been faculty at Western Washington University and Central Washington University where he was instrumental in hosting the Region VII festival. During his tenure Patrick has served in a number of roles including NWDC President, Region VII Chair and began events like the Musical Theatre Initiative and much, much more. KCACTF Region VII has been nurtured and grown because of his energy, commitment, and dedication to celebrating our students.
The Horace Robinson/Jack Watson Award – Natashia Lindsey
Awarded to a Faculty Member in Region VII who shows dedication and support for their students above and beyond the normal duties expected of university faculty. Natashia a shining example for the region.
Horace Robinson was a member of the Theatre Department at the University of Oregon and a co-founder of the Northwest Drama Conference, fore-runner of KCACTF in our region. In the early years Horace served as the President of the organization and organized the annual conference, usually held at the University of Oregon. Jack Watson was a student of Horace Robinson who joined the faculty at the University of Oregon in 1987. Jack also served as an officer of both organizations including KCACTF Region VII chair and was twice a member of the National Selection Committee.
Natashia Lindsey is an Assistant Professor of Theatre and affiliated faculty in Africana and Black Studies at Central Washington University. An interdisciplinary scholar, her work often focuses on the many intersections of race and performance including racial performativity and the unmasking of whiteness and white supremacy. She is also a fat activist and works to eradicate fatphobia in the field of theatre. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin in Performance as Public Practice and a M.A. and B.S. in Pan-African Studies from the University of Louisville. Currently Natashia serves as the Vice-Chair for Representation Equity and Diversity for Region VII.
SCHOLARLY PAPER SUBMISSIONS
The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region VII seeks to support, encourage, and reward excellence in scholarship in theatre. KCACTF VII invites all college and university students to submit their research manuscripts to the Scholarly Paper Competition. The papers may be written on any theatre arts topic–historical, theoretical or artistic. Students do not need to attend the conference in order to enter.
- Manuscripts entered at the graduate student level should not exceed 20 double-spaced, single-sided pages excluding endnotes and references.
- Manuscripts entered at the undergraduate student level should not exceed 12 double-spaced, single-sided pages excluding endnotes and references.
All submissions must include the following:
- Your Name
- School affiliation
- Undergraduate or graduate student status
- Document attachment as a PDF file
Submit your attachment with a brief introductory email by February 1st to george.caldwell@oregonstate.edu
SOCIAL MEDIA
KCACTF Region 7 now has an official Instagram account! There will be important information posted, including interactive posts. Students, we want YOUR voice to be heard this year. Region 7 will be giving away 1 free registration to the 2022 Festival. Be sure to follow and be on the lookout for a chance to win! Follow @kcactf.7
DEADLINES
Deadlines for several events are approaching quickly. Please visit our website for the details of each one. If you have questions please contact the area coordinators.
https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
KCACTF Region 7 Festival 54 Registration is now open!
We’re excited to use the Whova app to coordinate all events and workshop links. The registration tickets are now open for you to purchase here https://whova.com/portal/registration/kcact_202102/
The tickets are $60 for Students and $80 for Faculty/Staff (plus processing fees).
Group Registration – You can purchase up to 10 students and 10 faculty tickets at one time.Please be sure you have an individual email for each student/faculty.
Registration ends February 16.
Please check our website for festival information. . Please check the website https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/
ATHE/KCACTF NOMINATIONS
ATHE/KCACTF Prize for Innovative Teaching
A prize will be given to one college/university faculty member in each of the 8 KCACTF regions to recognize innovation in teaching theatre. Nominations (including self-nominations) will be solicited each fall by each KCACTF Region. Nominees will be notified and asked to submit a description of their innovative teaching, CV, and two letters of recommendation. Each Regional prize winner will be presented a plaque, a free one-year membership to ATHE, and an ATHE Conference fee voucher. This prize will be made at each Region’s Awards Ceremony, and an ATHE representative will make the presentation, which will briefly include a description of ATHE and its mission, as well as a celebration of the prize-winning teacher.
To nominate a faculty member or graduate student fill out this form by January 31st https://forms.gle/BK5ycN6VJvbx9PMm7
DUE DATES
Many of the festival events have due dates for submissions fast approaching. Details on how and when for each can be found on the website at https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/
- January 10th – Deadline to register for Aspire & ITJA
- January 14th – Deadline to register for the Musical Theatre Initiative
- January 30th – Deadline to register for Design, Technology and Management
- February 1th – Deadline to register for the Next Step Auditions
- February 6th – Deadline to register for Irene Ryan Auditions
- February 7th – Deadline to register for the SDC Directing Initiative
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Assistant Professor ,Theatre & Dance, University of Wyoming http://www.uwyo.edu/thd/.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- M.F.A. in Acting, Directing or Musical Theatre or similar performance degree with considerable professional and/or academic experience
- Excellence in teaching and directing, acting, vocal training and/or musical theater support, and at least one other area such as movement, styles, intimacy training, devising or work in digital formats.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certification or other areas of vocal training (e.g. Fitzmaurice Voicework®, Somatic Voicework™, Linklater Voice®)
- Experience in movement, styles, intimacy training, devising or work in digital formats The ability to direct, recruit, mentor and collaborate with a diverse range of students in a liberal arts institution and to contribute to their training and development as professional artists and citizens of the world
For more information and online application
https://eeik.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/preview/213200/?keyword=theatre&mode=location and upload the following for a complete application: cover letter, resume or C.V. and contact information for four work-related references. For further inquiries, please email Search Committee Chair: Dr. Cecilia J. Aragón at ccaragon@uwyo.edu. UW is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer
November 22
Thanksgiving is only days away and in the spirit of the holiday I would like to share a thankful thought. I would like to thank all the Region 7 coordinators and officers for all that they do for the region. These people volunteer their time, energy, and passion in making Region 7 the best festival possible and celebrating students. This region could not happen without them, and I am blessed to lead them. Happy Thanksgiving!
- Ronn Campbell, Region VII Chair
REGION VII VIRTUAL FESTIVAL
KCACTF Region 7 Festival 54 in 2022 will be Virtual this coming year.
We plan to have registration links available on the website by early December. Please check the website https://www.kcactf7.org/home/festival/
Registration prices will be:
- $60 for students
- $80 for Faculty/Staff.
IRENE RYANS
There seems to be some confusion about how students can enter the Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions. There are two ways in which a student can enter:
- Student can still receive a Nomination through a show response. All respondents have the ability to nominate a student to receive a Irene Ryan nomination as they always have. This is an invitation to enter.
- Students can self-nominate. The biggest change is that students who did not receive a nomination through the show response, can self-nominate for the Irene Ryans and register directly.
For more information on the Irene Ryans for Region 7 please visit our website https://www.kcactf7.org/forms/ryans-mtsa/
Or Contact the Irene Ryan Coordinators Shea King and Cesar Reyes
SOCIAL MEDIA
KCACTF Region 7 now has an official Instagram account! There will be important information posted, including interactive posts. Students, we want YOUR voice to be heard this year. Region 7 will be giving away 1 free registration to the 2022 Festival. Be sure to follow and be on the lookout for a chance to win! Follow @kcactf.7
NATIONAL HOSTED EVENTS
We posted in the last newsletter that three events Aspire, Dramaturgy, and Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy will centralize all 8 regions under a single event hosted by the National Committee. Please share the following link all of your students interested in one of these events. They will have all the details and how to register. Please note these all begin in January prior to our festival.
DEADLINES
Deadlines for several events are approaching quickly. Please visit our website for the details of each one. If you have questions please contact the area coordinators.
https://www.kcactf7.org/festival-events/
PARTICIPATING PRODUCTIONS
If your school entered a Participating Production to be presented at festival, the committee will be meeting December 11th to make the final selections. We will be contacting schools soon after about how to stream your production. We will be needing the following at that time:
- Video links
- PDF of the program
- Brief summary of the production
- List of Content Disclosures
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR/SOUND DESIGNER
The Department of Theatre and Communication Arts at Linfield University invites applications for a Technical Director and Sound Designer (TD) position to start January This is a full-time, ten-month (August 15 – June 15), salaried exempt staff appointment with benefits. Duties include overseeing student crews in the successful and safe creation of scenery elements for all theatre productions, sound design and engineering for theatre productions, coordination of production budgets, management and maintenance of theatre facilities and equipment including the scene shop, and general safety oversight including adherence to OSHA standards for the production season. The position also includes instruction of theatre production practicums and potentially other courses in theatre.
Qualifications
MA with professional production experience required. MFA in technical theatre with sound design/engineering experience preferred. BFA with extensive professional production experience may be considered. Strong interpersonal communication skills, organizational skills, and an ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative environment with faculty, staff, students, and guest artists required. https://linfielduniversityjobs.applicantpool.com/jobs/671344.html
October 7
FESTIVAL UPDATE
KCACTF Region 7 Festival 54 in 2022 will be Virtual this coming year. With the continued uncertainty of the pandemic the executive committee has determined to put the health and safety of our students, faculty and guests first and host a fully virtual festival.
We appreciate the feedback we have received regarding last year’s virtual festival and are already working hard to create the very best virtual festival experience possible for 2022. Thank you for your support and patience.
PARTICIPATING PRODUCTIONS
Now that the Festival will be virtual, it will have an impact on productions looking to be showcased. The Region has access to a Vimeo account to share videos of the production. So if you are planning to submit your show for consideration, please start working with your publisher about video/streaming rights.
LATINX-SOME ISSUES – contributed by Ed Trujillo, RED Chair Region VII
Hello, I take sole responsibility for the content of this article and it is also not endorsed by the KCACTF Region VII Board or its constituencies.
The term Latinx is a fairly new term and its origin and history is not complete. It is now being played out in the media and where it will land is anyone’s guess.
I feel it is imperative that people have a clear choice on how they want to be recognized. One of the original objectives of the term was to provide “…a gender-neutral alternative to Latino/Latina.” It has become more than that.
I have never been a fan of the label ‘Hispanic’, a term created in the very early 1970s, because it was too generic and all-encompassing of the subgroups it was supposed to represent and it was not Spanish. It is the same for LatinX. If I’m going to present a LatinX play for my season, what does that mean? Is it Chicano/a, Puertorriqueno/a, Cubana/o, Chileno/a and so on. Do you mean the culture of people from the United States, the Caribbean, Central America and South America? And if you do, that’s a long list to choose from, if you are going to use that term for everyone.
Some people are using specifically a LatinX-like label such as ,”Chicanx, a Mexican American (used in place of the masculine form Chicano, the feminine form Chicana, or the gender-binary form Chican@).” Maybe each sub-group will need to come up with a label to identify themselves?
My concern is that, LatinX, is too generalized of a term in speaking about the very specific different culture groups mentioned. If the term is going to be used it needs to be general and specific at the same time. Major corporations are using the term ad nauseam to celebrate LatinX culture and my question, what does that mean? What cultures are you honoring and celebrating? If you asked the average American, what does LatinX mean to you?, I’m not sure you would get a clear answer.
Below are quotes from two different articles, that I think bring up some food for thought.
Is ‘Latinx’ Being Inclusive or Canceling Our Culture? Published on March 16, 2021 in Politics by Henry Cadena he states,
“I was introduced to this term a few years back and have been following the conversation ever since. I’ve really enjoyed the dialogue. It not only highlights how unique and diverse our culture is, but sheds some light on the grand challenges we face. Last summer—in maybe a knee jerk reaction to the George Floyd incident we had a surge of mainstream brands, companies and non-Latinos using it. I’m seeing it written in client emails, proposals, and used frequently by other non-Latinos. While LatinX serves a good purpose of being inclusive of non-binary individuals in the community, the word sparks a list of problems and backlash from the majority of the people it’s meant to represent. Numbers are now showing that it’s evolved to be an offensive term for many. Some even call it a “racial slur.” Recent data from ThinkNOW research shows that 60% of Latino/Hispanics dislike or find the term LatinX offensive.
“The Latino Community does not need to be exed,” said Al Martinez, a history professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “Most Latinas, Latinos, Hispanics did not ask for it.” He also states:“In fact, a 2020 poll by Pew Research shows that 76% of the Latino/Hispanic population doesn’t even know what “LatinX” means.”
And in another article:
And Why ‘Latinx’ Is Succeeding While Other Gender-Neutral Terms Fail to Catch On (Ideas-Time Magazine) by Katy Steinmetz April 2,2018, where she states:
“For some, using Latinx can feel feminist. Cristina Mora, an associate professor of sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, says she first encountered it as a gender-neutral term that young people were using because they were “tired of reaffirming the patriarchy inherent in language.” For example: In Spanish, a group of women is referred to as Latinas, while a group of men or a mixed group — even one that is mostly women — is a group of Latinos. Feminists might balk at this the same way they’d balk at using he as a default pronoun or referring to mixed groups as “guys” but never “gals.” The subtext is the same: It’s a man’s world, you ladies are just in it.”
I recommend that you read both of these articles fully.
I understand that certain concepts about cultural/gender identification are fluid, particularly in the 21st century, after so many years of people not being allowed to define themselves and their history. There was a time when identifying yourself as “Chicano/a” was a disparaging slur to Mexican-Americans. Let’s not let that happen again.
Any comments of feedback would be appreciated.
Ed Trujillo, RED Chair Region VII
Faculty Emeritus Diablo Valley College
edtrujillo261@gmail.com
(925) 658-2989
September 15,2021
FESTIVAL UPDATE
KCACTF Region 7 Festival 54 in 2022 will be Virtual this coming year. With the continued uncertainty of the pandemic the executive committee has determined to put the health and safety of our students, faculty and guests first and host a fully virtual festival.
We appreciate the feedback we have received regarding last year’s virtual festival and are already working hard to create the very best virtual festival experience possible for 2022. Thank you for your support and patience.
PRODUCTION RESPONSES
We still have 4 ways for you to get a response to your productions this year.
- Associate – In-Person
- Associate – Virtual
- Participating – In-person
- Participating – Virtual
Please get your productions submitted as early as you can. https://www.kcactf7.org/forms/ Our Respondent Coordinators will need the time to arrange a respondent. You can imagine how Covid-19 has added extra layers in this process.
Participating Entries – The move to a Virtual Festival will complicate this process. If you are placing your production for consideration, please create a plan to either have a video or livestream available for the week of festival. Please coordinate with the publisher for those rights.
REGISTERING PRODUCTIONS
Don’t forget we have a new program for Production Registration. You must sign up for a Wild Apricot account before you can register. You can access Production Registration at https://kcactf.wildapricot.org/
WildApricot will replace Quickbase for registering productions. Here are a few key differences between the two that you’ll notice:
- You will first need to sign up for a user account. While this is an additional step, it will allow you to log back into the system to edit production information, print invoices, and reduce the amount of things you need to re-enter for each production. We will approve your account as soon as possible—and you only need to do this once. We ask that each school have one account with WildApricot for registering shows, that way we can keep organized records of your institution’s participation.
- You will need to select your Region up front.
- You can pay for your shows immediately with a credit card. No more calling into the KCACTF office or faxing over your credit card information!
- Your account will have all of your invoices and receipts to access at any time.
We appreciate your patience and your good humor as we make this transition. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and/or Kelsey Mesa, Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education at The Kennedy Center (krmesa@kennedy-center.org).
STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD of the REGION (S.A.B.R)
S.A.B.R. is looking for new student members. Members will have input on the direction of events at the festival and provide feedback as well. You only need to be a student in good standing at your institution. Please let your students know. For more information, or to submit your application please contact
Isaac Newton isaacgknewton@gmail.com
Ronn Campbell rcampbell@columbiabasin.edu
LOOKING FOR NEW COORDINATORS
We still have positions open that we will be accepting applications for. These are volunteer positions, but festival registration will be covered and other perks depending on position. This is a great way to get involved with the region and support the students.
- Next Step Coordinator – Next Step is the event that provides students access to employment to regional companies. The coordinator is responsible for connecting with companies and scheduling the auditions/interviews for students.
- ITJA Coordinator – ITJA veers from the classroom model of writing reviews and critiquing them in round table format. Students who participate at each Regional Festival write blogs, previews, interviews, and position papers; they frame their ideas orally (sometimes as radio assignments); and they work with media specialists who embrace the technology of the 21st century. They meet in daily workshops to look at professional and unprofessional theatre critiques with critics and media specialists with diverse backgrounds in theatre, journalism, criticism, and writing. They will also traverse among the festival, participating actively as reporters, interviewers, and recorders/interpreters of the events in which they actively critique and analyze. The coordinator will be responsible for organizing and running these events at festival.
- Website coordinator – This person will be the point person to relay changes needed to the website hosting company. Experience in web design is not a requirement.
If you are interested in applying for one of these openings, please email rcampbell@columbiabasin.edu with the following information by October 15, 2021
- Name
- School
- Phone
- Position interested in
- 1-2 paragraphs describing why you would be the perfect candidate for the position.
IRENE RYAN UPDATES
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Irene Ryan Acting Auditions! National has been working on some updates to the auditions process. We have shared the new format for this year. Send any questions to the Ryan Coordinators.
Irene Ryan Format 2022:
- The final package is 6 minutes and consists of two monologues and a scene.
- Preliminary Session will be 90 seconds for one monologue as a virtual submission submitted prior to festival similar to last year.
- Virtual submissions will be one camera
- Timing of the audition will begin with the first action or word in character following the setup and introduction and will not stop from that point onward.
- Semi-Finals Sessions will be a 3 minute scene and the same 90 second monologue from the prelims, 4 minutes 30 seconds total. Participants will present to a panel virtually and will receive workshop time with the respondents.
- Final Sessions will be a 6-minute package of two monologues and a scene (adding a monologue to the Semi-final submissions). This will be presented as a virtual submission.
- Virtual submissions will be one camera
- Timing of the audition will begin with the first action or word in character following the setup and introduction and will not stop from that point onward.
- All musical elements will be moved to MTI. Singing will no longer be a part of the Irene Ryan audition
- Preliminary Session will be 90 seconds for one monologue as a virtual submission submitted prior to festival similar to last year.
- The nomination process will be continued, but there will also be space for self-nominations.
- Participants may be partners for other participants with the option to utilize the same scene in both audition packages.
If you are one of those that finished their first week of class, I hope it well. We are beginning planning for the upcoming festival, details of which will be coming soon. I am wishing you all a successful and safe school year.
Ronn Campbell, MFAChair KCACTF Region VII
WELCOME OUR NEW COORDINATORS
I want to thank all of those that applied, we have so many people willing to give of their time and talents. So we want to send a warm welcome the following people to the leadership team.
- …SDC Co-Coordinators – Emily Rollie and Josephine Keefe will be teaming up to celebrate all the student directors in the region.
- …Respondent Coordinator – Angelina LaBarre has agreed to organize the California/Nevada area of the region. She has hit the ground running and we are happy to have her on the team.
- …Dramaturgy Coordinator – Sarah Campbell who assisted last year has agreed to take the helm this coming year. We welcome her as she will be guiding dramaturgy students through the events.
- …Devising Theatre Project Coordinator – Saffron Henke is excited to revive this event that didn’t occur in 2021. We are excited to bring back Devising with Saffron at the controls.
LOOKING FOR NEW COORDINATORS
We still have positions open that we will be accepting applications for. These are volunteer positions, but festival registration will be covered and other perks depending on position. This is a great way to get involved with the region and support the students.
- …Musical Theatre Initiative co-Coordinator – The National KCACTF Musical Theatre Initiative is designed to celebrate, recognize, and foster outstanding musical theatre students from colleges and universities throughout the nation. The MTI coordinator will work our current coordinator Alicia Bickley, to organize, plan and execute the event at festival. Musical training is a plus, but not a requirement.
- …ITJA Coordinator – ITJA veers from the classroom model of writing reviews and critiquing them in round table format. Students who participate at each Regional Festival write blogs, previews, interviews, and position papers; they frame their ideas orally (sometimes as radio assignments); and they work with media specialists who embrace the technology of the 21st century. They meet in daily workshops to look at professional and unprofessional theatre critiques with critics and media specialists with diverse backgrounds in theatre, journalism, criticism, and writing. They will also traverse among the festival, participating actively as reporters, interviewers, and recorders/interpreters of the events in which they actively critique and analyze. The coordinator will be responsible for organizing and running these events at festival.
- …Website coordinator – This person will be the point person to relay changes needed to the website hosting company. Experience in web design is not a requirement.
If you are interested in applying for one of these openings, please email rcampbell@columbiabasin.edu with the following information by August 15, 2021
- … Name
- …School
- …Phone
- …Position interested in
- …1-2 paragraphs describing why you would be the perfect candidate for the position.
IRENE RYAN UPDATES
This year is the 50th Anniversary of the Irene Ryan Acting Auditions! National has been working on some updates to the auditions process. We have shared the new format for this year. Send any questions to the Ryan Coordinators.
Irene Ryan Format 2022:
- The final package is 6 minutes and consists of two monologues and a scene.
- Prelim will be 90 seconds for one monologue as a virtual submission submitted prior to festival similar to last year.
- Virtual submissions will be one camera
- Timing of the audition will begin with the first action or word in character following the setup and introduction and will not stop from that point onward.
- Semis will be a 3 minute scene and 1 90 second monologue, 4.5 minutes total. This will be in-person at festival. Virtual participation will be available with prior arrangement
- Finals will be a 6-minute package of two monologues and a scene This will be in-person at festival. Virtual participation will be available with prior arrangement.
- Prelim will be 90 seconds for one monologue as a virtual submission submitted prior to festival similar to last year.
- All musical elements will be moved to MTI. Singing will no longer be a part of the Irene Ryan audition
- The nomination process will be continued, but there will also be space for self-nominations.
- Participants may be partners for other participants with the option to utilize the same scene in both audition packages.
REGISTERING PRODUCTIONS
As the country is continuing to open back up, KCACTF is striving to return to better-than-normal. One change is that we are migrating our Production Registration process to a new platform for Fall 2021 shows. You can access Production Registration here
WildApricot will replace Quickbase for registering productions. Here are a few key differences between the two that you’ll notice:
- You will first need to sign up for a user account. While this is an additional step, it will allow you to log back into the system to edit production information, print invoices, and reduce the amount of things you need to re-enter for each production. We will approve your account as soon as possible—and you only need to do this once. We ask that each school have one account with WildApricot for registering shows, that way we can keep organized records of your institution’s participation.
- You will need to select your Region up front.
- You can pay for your shows immediately with a credit card. No more calling into the KCACTF office or faxing over your credit card information!
- Your account will have all of your invoices and receipts to access at any time.
We appreciate your patience and your good humor as we make this transition. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and/or Kelsey Mesa, Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education at The Kennedy Center .
RED STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
It’s that time of year that we are building up our RED Student Advisory Board. Your help is needed in finding new members. We would like to make sure that we get at least two students from each state, especially from urban and rural areas. It is very important that we get representation at all levels.
There is a strong need for students from Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Hawaii. If you need more information and an Advisory Board Application please contact:
Ed Trujillo, RED Chair Natashia Lindsey, RED Vice-Chair
edtrujillo261@gmail.com Natashia.Lindsey@cwu.edu
DO YOU HAVE NEW FACULTY?
Thank you to those that have sent us the updates to their directory information. If your department has new faculty joining you or faculty that have left due to retirement or other reasons, we would like to know. Please review your school’s information in the directory on the KCACTF Region 7 website and let us know what changes are needed.
FESTIVAL 54 – 2022
The current plan is to return to a face-to-face festival next year. The festival will take place in Spokane, WA February 13-19, 2022 at the Double Tree Hotel and Spokane Convention Center.
We encourage you to make hotel reservations at our host hotel, the Doubletree. The region needs to secure 160 rooms each night of the festival to get the Ballrooms and Meetings rooms at no charge. If we do not meet this minimum, we will have to pay thousands more. Plus, 90% of the festival will be happening at the hotel and the convention center next door. So be in the center of the action and click the link below to reserve your rooms.
Welcome to a new year in Region VII. It feels like an eternity since many of us have been in a theatre doing the art we love so much. But things are starting to return to normal as many schools will be inviting audiences back into their spaces. We will reconfirm our promise to you that KCACTF Region VII will be here to provide instructional tools, technical help, feedback and anything else we can to support you and your programs in creating brilliant theatre experiences. I cannot wait until we can all be in the same room at festival to celebrate all that you have done. Continue to inspire each other and make the best theatre you can!
Ronn Campbell, MFA
Chair KCACTF Region VII
LOOKING FOR NEW COORDINATORS
We have some positions open that we will be accepting applications for. These are volunteer positions, but festival registration will be covered and other perks depending on position. This is a great way to get involved with the region and support the students.
- Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) Coordinator – The SDC coordinator will vet student directors, invite respondents, and organize the activities at festival. The SDC Directing Initiative provides recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student directors who have demonstrated success in direction. Candidates are nominated by their individual institutions, and the institution must have entered either an associate or participating production during the calendar year prior to the regional festival.
- ITJA Coordinator – ITJA veers from the classroom model of writing reviews and critiquing them in round table format. Students who participate at each Regional Festival write blogs, previews, interviews, and position papers; they frame their ideas orally (sometimes as radio assignments); and they work with media specialists who embrace the technology of the 21st century. They meet in daily workshops to look at professional and unprofessional theatre critiques with critics and media specialists with diverse backgrounds in theatre, journalism, criticism, and writing. They will also traverse among the festival, participating actively as reporters, interviewers, and recorders/interpreters of the events in which they actively critique and analyze. The coordinator will be responsible for organizing and running these events at festival.
- Respondent Coordinator – We are looking for a new coordinator for the California/Nevada area. This person is responsible to obtain respondents for registered productions, connect the respondent with the school so arrangements can be made, and follow up to ensure reports are submitted. We have a new system that will automate much of this process.
- Website coordinator – This person will be the point person to relay changes needed to the website hosting company. Experience in web design is not a requirement.
If you are interested in applying for one of these openings, please email rcampbell@columbiabasin.edu with the following information by August 15, 2021
- Name
- School
- Phone
- Position interested in
- 1-2 paragraphs describing why you would be the perfect candidate for the position.
REGISTERING PRODUCTIONS
Hello, Region 7
As the country is continuing to open back up, KCACTF is striving to return to better-than-normal. One change is that we are migrating our Production Registration process to a new platform for Fall 2021 shows. You can access Production Registration at https://kcactf.wildapricot.org/
WildApricot will replace Quickbase for registering productions. Here are a few key differences between the two that you’ll notice:
- You will first need to sign up for a user account. While this is an additional step, it will allow you to log back into the system to edit production information, print invoices, and reduce the amount of things you need to re-enter for each production. We will approve your account as soon as possible—and you only need to do this once. We ask that each school have one account with WildApricot for registering shows, that way we can keep organized records of your institution’s participation.
- You will need to select your Region up front.
- You can pay for your shows immediately with a credit card. No more calling into the KCACTF office or faxing over your credit card information!
- Your account will have all of your invoices and receipts to access at any time.
We appreciate your patience and your good humor as we make this transition. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me and/or Kelsey Mesa, Manager of KCACTF and Theater Education at The Kennedy Center (krmesa@kennedy-center.org).
RED STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD
It’s that time of year that we are building up our RED Student Advisory Board. Your help is needed in finding new members. We would like to make sure that we get at least two students from each state, especially from urban and rural areas. It is very important that we get representation at all levels.
There is a strong need for students from Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, Nevada and Hawaii. If you need more information and an Advisory Board Application please contact:
Ed Trujillo, RED Chair Natashia Lindsey, RED Vice-Chair
edtrujillo261@gmail.com Natashia.Lindsey@cwu.edu
DO YOU HAVE NEW FACULTY?
The new school year approaches and with the new students there is often new faculty at your institution. If your department has new faculty joining you or faculty that have left due to retirement or other reasons, we would like to know. Please review your school’s information in the directory on the KCACTF Region 7 website and let us know what changes are needed.
https://www.kcactf7.org/participating-schools/
FESTIVAL 54 – 2022
The current plan is to return to a face-to-face festival next year. The festival will take place in Spokane, WA February 13-19, 2022 at the Double Tree Hotel and Spokane Convention Center.
We will post a link for you to book with the Host Hotel DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane-City Center on our website the Beginning of September so you can book online.
June 2021
ATHE/KCACTF PRIZE FOR TEACHING INNOVATION – KT Turner, University of Idaho
Founded in 1986, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) is a non-profit professional organization representing college and university theatre departments and administrators, faculty, graduate students, and theatre practitioners. ATHE’s mission is to support and advance the study and practice of theatre and performance in higher education. Toward that mission, we are pleased to grant the annual ATHE/KCACTF Prize for Teaching Innovation to an individual in each KCACTF region who has demonstrated their ability to discover new pathways for student success in the field of theatre. It is our pleasure to recognize KT Turner as the 2021 Region VII winner of the ATHE/KCACTF Prize for Innovative Teaching.
ANTI-RACIST THEATRE WORKSHOPS
We’ve just launched registration for two new sets of dates for Anti-Racist Theatre: A Foundational Course with Nicole Brewer and hope you’ll share these offerings with your colleagues, collaborators, students, and beloved community.
We will be offering the two-part, six-hour course on Saturdays, June 12 and 19 from 12-3 pm EST, and an additional weekday course on Mondays, July 26 and August 2 from 2-5 pm EST
The link to the June eventbrite sign-up is here
and the July/August workshop sign-up is here.
There are a limited number of free tickets for early career folks and pay-what-you-wish tickets for People of the Global Majority.
Thank you for sharing the link and for striving to create racial equity in your theater-making.
Warmly,
Nicole and The A.R.T. Team
FESTIVAL 54 – 2022
The current plan is to return to a face-to-face festival next year. The festival will take place in Spokane, WA February 13-19, 2022 at the DoubleTree Hotel and Spokane Convention Center.
Booking for the Host Hotel is now available at the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane-City Center. The HiltonLink is now ready for use from Arrival Date: 13-Feb-2022 to Departure Date: 19-Feb-2022 so you can book online.
Just click the link below
KCACTF Region 7