UW-Parkside Theatre Arts Major Wins Award at KCACTF Region 3

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside Theatre Arts department was well represented at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), Region 3 competition. 

Senior J Lofty (Kenosha, WI) received the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs Early Career Dramaturgy Award for his work on Parkside’s production of The Laramie Project by Moisés Kaufman and Members of Tectonic Theater Project. 

“The audiences who came to see The Laramie Project gave me feedback on my writing which gave me the confidence I needed to enter the festival,” said Lofty. “It was important to me to be the best dramaturg I could be in helping to tell this important story alongside the rest of the Laramie team,” he explained. 

Senior Jenna Speer (Coffeyville, KS) proved herself a triple threat by becoming a finalist in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, a finalist in the Musical Theatre Intensive–Voice, and a finalist in Musical Theatre Intensive–Dance. This marks the 7th consecutive year UW-Parkside has had Theatre Arts majors participating in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition Finals.

First-year student Dakota Nionakis (Kenosha, WI) was also a finalist in the Musical Theatre Intensive–Dance. Junior Petr William (Racine, WI) received an Honorable Mention for Theatrical Design Excellence in Projection Design for his work on UW-Parkside’s recent production of Meteor Shower by Steve Martin.  

KCACTF is a national organization that celebrates the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs. Region 3 includes students and faculty from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Western Ohio.  

Several UW-Parkside Theatre Arts department faculty members are also very involved with KCACTF. Associate Professor Misti Bradford serves as National KCACTF Vice-Chair of Design, Technology, and Management. Assistant Professor Rachael Swartz serves as Musical Theatre Initiative (MTI) Coordinator for KCACTF Region 3.