Friday, February 8, 2013

SBU Theatre students and faculty recognized at festival

Southwest Baptist University News Release
Contact: Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
417-328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu

SBU Theatre students and faculty recognized at festival

BOLIVAR, Mo. – SBU Theatre students and faculty received awards at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Jan. 21-25 in Lincoln, Neb.

·       Jonathan Wehmeyer, instructor of theatre, received a Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Scenic Design for his work on the SBU Theatre production of “Between the Crosses.”
·       Student Jake Carver was recognized for his dramaturgy and lobby display for “Between the Crosses.” 
·       Ariel Hall, a 2012 graduate, received a Certificate of Merit for her costume designs for “Something To Do With William Shakespeare.” 
·       Costumes from “Between the Crosses” designed by Elissa Sartwell, director of SBU Theatre, and student Danielle Petersohn were featured in the annual Costume Parade.

“I am particularly proud of Wehmeyer’s recognition for designing and building an authentic WWI trench on the stage,” Sartwell said. “Jonathan’s set for ‘Between the Crosses’ was simply stunning.”

Representing SBU in the prestigious Irene Ryan acting scholarship competition were Jeff Young, Lindsay Gingrich, Alexandra Phillips, Shannon Gray, Joshua Brown, Jacob Carver and Lauren Schriver.

“The festival is by far one of the best experiences I have had as a theatre student at SBU,” Young said.

Freshmen Abby Munton and Amelia Hicks also auditioned for and performed in short plays at the festival, which was attended by more than 1,600 theatre students and faculty.

Sartwell and Wehmeyer said the week-long festival is an invaluable opportunity for SBU students to network with their peers and professionals in the theatre industry.

“The fact that SBU consistently receives recognition from the organization is evidence that SBU Theatre is able to offer students competitive and quality theatre training,” Sartwell said.

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is a nationwide organization that promotes and honors excellence in university theatre. The organization holds eight regional festivals in January and February, culminating in a national festival in April. 

SBU's Theatre major is designed to give the theatre student a broad foundation in theatre arts. For more information about the Theatre Department, contact Elissa Sartwell, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication arts-theatre, at (417) 328-1688 or esartwell@sbuniv.edu.


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Southwest Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.