Performing Arts students take home awards

Department of Performing Arts Theatre Design/Technology students took home two top regional awards at the recent Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) at Fitchburg State College.

Students Tyler Kinney ’10, winner of the Barbizon Award for Excellence in Scenic Design, and Jennifer Bertha ’10, winner of the Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design, will both proceed to the national festival in Washington, D.C. in April. Many of the Emerson students who attended entered for their work on Bud, Not Buddy, an Emerson Stage production last November.

“It’s like a conference for the students. They went to workshops on lighting, costuming, and stage management,” said Emerson Costume Shop Supervisor Rafael Jean, who is co-chair for design, technologies and management for the KCACTF organization in this region. “What I like to see is a change happening for the students who go. They see the creativity of students from other schools that have more resources, and schools that have fewer resources. They learn from each other, and that’s magical to me.”

Recognition from KCACTF opens doors, said Tyler Kinney. “This award is not only a résumé builder for me but a chance to showcase my work on a huge platform. I will be meeting and learning from professionals in my field this April. Also, I am competing for incredible internships and future opportunities.”

Other Emerson students received recognition at the festival as well: the national KCACTF Award for Excellence in Sound Design, Honorable Mention, went to Erik Skovgaard ’12, and the S*P*A*M* Award for Excellence in Stage Properties went to Elizabeth Zevin ’11, whose project was the headless man from Emerson Stage’s production of The Actor & The Actor’s Nightmare. In addition, Kelley Holley ’11 was the runner-up for the LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award and Gabriel Graetz’11 received the Dramaturgy ATHE/KCACTF Regional Award for Program Notes.

photo caption: Emerson students Liz Zevin, Suzanne Calhoun, Jen Bertha, Erik Skovgaard, Tyler Kinney, Michele Teevan and Kelley Holley at this year’s KCACTF in Fitchburg.