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.
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.
###
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.