Honors & Awards
All of the following awards and honors were bestowed upon Carthage by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). The KCACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide, which has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theatre in the United States. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theatre departments and student artists showcase their work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents.
Patience and Fortitude
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Award for Design Excellence in Sound Design — Gabrielle Tifft ’23
- Regional Certificates of Merit for Outstanding Work in Acting Ensemble — Rayven Craft ’22, Rachel Skowronski ’22, Sophie Michalski ’22, Lane Breimhorst ’23, Nate Myers ’23, Massimo Manfredini ’23, Chloe Hilby ’23, Rogelio Castro ’22, Rose Reichert ’22, AK Engleson ’22
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Projection Design — Kurt Meinhardt ’23
Over the Hills and Far Away
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Devised Theatre Category: Physical Theatre Award — Lane Breimhorst ’23, Hannah Caflisch ’25, Rogelio Castro ’22, Rayven Craft ’22, Chloe Hilby ’23, Nate Myers ’23, Angela Palladini ’24, Fang Yi Duo (Flower) Wang M.M. ’23, and Jeffrey Watkins ’22
Betrayal
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Certificates of Merit for Outstanding Work in Acting Ensemble — Natalie Lall ’22, Nicky Caldwell ’23, Car Flemming ’23, Becca Robertson ’23
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Sierra Clark ’23
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Directing — Caitlin Preuss ’23
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Properties — Emily Imig ’21
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Stage Management — Lauren Hammes ’23
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Acting Competition Music Theatre Intensive Finalists — Nicky Caldwell ’23, Caitlyn Preuss ’23, and Marielle Shiring ’22
- Irene Ryan Acting Competition Semi-Finalist — Lane Breimhorst ’23
Eurydice
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Directing — Ella Spoelstra ’21
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Work in Sound Design — Lindsey O’Connor ’21
PUFFS
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Dramaturgy — Ella Spoelstra
ROMEO AND JULIET WALK INTO A BAR
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Sound Design — Gabrielle Tifft
SMOKEFALL
Kennedy Center American College Theater (KCACTF) Region III Festival
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Lighting Design — Gabrielle Tifft
KCACTF Region III Awards (Won in events that take place during the festival)
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist: Natalie Lall
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist: Sophie Michalski
- Music Theatre Intensive Regional Finalist: Matthew Pakkabier
- Music Theatre Intensive Regional Finalist: Caitlin Preuss
- Music Theatre Intensive National Alternate: Caitlin Preuss
- NPP 10-minute Play Directors: Natalie Lall and Ella Spoelstra
- NPP 10-minute Play Director Regional Winner: Ella Spoelstra
A DOLL’S HOUSE, PART 2
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Scenic Design — Martin McClendon
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Dramaturgy — Ella Spoelstra
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Costume Design and Execution — Latora Lezotte
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Master Carpentry — Jane Srnick
MARIE ANTOINETTE
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Costume Design — Veronica Vickas
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Sound Design — Lindsey O’Connor
FIGHTING FOR HOME
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Cast — Ensemble
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Citizen Artist — Martin McClendon
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Direction of New Work — Marcy Kearns
FLORA THE RED MENACE
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit in Choreography — Tiantian Dong
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Cast — Ensemble
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Region III Design Storm Finalist — Mary Seigel
- Region III Finalist – Costume Design — Latora Lezotte
- Region III Stage Management Finalist — Erne Stenbeck
- Finalist One-Act Play Competition: Region III Winner — Emma Swain
- Music Theatre Intensive Region III Finalist — Christine Barreca
UP AND AWAY — REGION III PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award
- Distinguished Costume Design — Latora Lezotte
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in the Production of a New Play
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Performance — Caroline Fossum
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Performance — Rachel Proite
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Performance — Jesus Matta
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Scenic Design — Martin McClendon
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management — Lindsey O’Connor
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Animation Video and Design — Tyler Meder
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Make-Up Design — Latora Lezotte
- Commendation for Distinguished Achievement in Original Music Composition — Carrington Breckenridge
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Performance — Ensemble
- Theatrical Design Excellence Award Finalist — Latora Lezotte
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Latora Lezotte
SILENT SKY
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Scenic Painting — Jasmine Ratcliff
INTO THE WOODS
- Allied Design and Technologies Award Runner-Up — Latora Lezotte
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Kim Instenes
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Direction — Neil Scharnick
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Scenic Design — Martin McClendon
AJAX
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Emily Parker
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Natalie Lall
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Emma Sorensen
- KCACTF/ LORT Aspire Leadership Intensive Finalist — Natalie Lall
- Costume Parade Selection — Kim Instenes (for Into the Woods)
A SEAT AT THE TABLE — REGION III PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Award
- Distinguished Production of a New Work
- Distinguished Performance by an Actress in a Play — Marie Tredway
- Commendation for Stage Management — Joshua Maloney
- Commendation for Dramaturgy — The Ensemble
- Commendation for Sound Design — Conor O’brien
- Commendation for Scenic Design — Maureen Chavez-Kruger
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
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Regional Certificate of Merit for Projection Design — Conor O’brien
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Regional Certificate of Merit for Sound/Video Design — Conor O’brien
TWIN SET
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Stage Management — Jasmine Ratcliff
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Veronica Vickas
THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Stage Management — Colt Luedtke
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Costume Design Competition, honorable mention — Carlee Ihde
- Costume Parade Selection — Kim Instenes (for Mother Courage)
- Music Theatre Intensive Singing Finalist: Mireya Magallon
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Music Theatre Intensive Singing Finalist: Marissa Noe
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Music Theatre Intensive Singing Finalist: Austin Winter
- Music Theatre Intensive Dance Finalist: Noelle Jay
- Music Theatre Intensive Dance Finalist: Austin Winter
THE BREATH OF STARS — REGION III PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
KCACTF NATIONAL AWARDS
- Undergraduate Scholar Award, 2nd place: Colt Luedtke
- National Stage Management Fellowship: Colt Luedtke
- Innovative Teaching Award: Martin McClendon
- Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management: Ash Pavlak
- Distinguished Achievement in Sound Design: Colleen Ochab and Conor O’Brien
- Distinguished Achievement in Video and Image Routing: Team Nerd Vision (Prof. Perry Kivolowitz, Prof. Martin McClendon, Joseph Wonsil, Samuel Santiago, Janina Spencer, Claire Heronemus)
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Classical Acting Award — Marie Tredway
- Stage Management Award — Colt Luedtke
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Marie Tredway
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Jordan Horne
- Music Theatre Competition Finalist — Libby Nelson
- Music Theatre Competition Finalist — Lydia Haasl
- Costume Design Competition Finalist — Carlee Ihde
AFGHANISTAN/WISCONSIN THEATRE PROJECT — REGION III PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Distinguished Production of a New or Devised Work
- Distinguished Director of a New or Devised Work — Martin McClendon
- Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Play — Alex Johnson
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Performance — Ensemble
STAGE KISS
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Composition — Emma Terrell
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Sound Design — Ethan Hobbs
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Prop Design — Colt Luedtke
MAN OF LA MANCHA
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Set Design — Martin McClendon
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Music Theatre Intensive Finalist — Christian Aldridge
- Stage Management Honorable Mention – Laurel Mckenzie
ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Stage Management — Laurel McKenzie
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Sound Design — Spencer Jacobsen
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Excellence in Performance — Ensemble
UP THE HILL
- David Mark Cohen Playwriting Award
- Selected for the O’Neill Center’s National Playwriting Workshop
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Mack Folkert
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Alex Johnson
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Marie Tredway
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Christian Aldridge
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Jordan Horne
- Stage Management Honorable Mention – Laurel Mckenzie
A CLAMOUR OF ROOKS — REGION III PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Stage Management — Mikaley Osley
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Direction — Neil Scharnick
STARS IN THE MORNING SKY
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Courtney Matula
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Stage Management — Kelly Field
AS YOU LIKE IT
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Musical Arrangement — Jack Lambert
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- One-Act Play Competition Finalist — Mikaley Osley
- Stage Management Semi-Finalist — Kelly Field
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Brea Beelow
GHOST BIKE — REGION III FESTIVAL PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Outstanding Achievement in Scenic Design — Shannon Meyer
- Distinguished Director of a New Play — Herschel Kruger
- Distinguished Production of a New Work
- Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design — Martin McClendon
- Distinguished Achievement in Sound Design — Simon Skluzacek
- The Golden Hand Truck Award
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region III Awards
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Scenic Design — Shannon Meyer
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Kim Instenes
BOEING-BOEING
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Direction — Martin McClendon
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Scene Design — Martin McClendon
- Regional Certificate of Merit for Sound Design — Spencer Jacobsen
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Kaylee Annable
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Andrew Stachurski
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Finalist — Mitch Weindorf
THE RAIL SPLITTER — REGION III FESTIVAL PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Distinguished Production of a New Work
DEAD MAN’S CELL PHONE
- Commendation for Scenic Design — Martin McClendon
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Playwriting Competition — Mikaley Osley
- Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semifinalist — Brett Robertson
ONE DAY IN THE SEASON OF RAIN — REGION III FESTIVAL PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Distinguished Achievement in Lighting Design— Colleen Geddes
- Distinguished Achievement in Property Design — Slim Simonini
- Distinguished Achievement in Scenic Design — Martin McClendon
KCACTF AWARDS (WON IN EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGIONAL FESTIVAL)
- Regional Award for Makeup Design — Krystin Taggart
- Second Place in Design Storm Competition — Colleen Geddes
HONEST — REGIONAL III FESTIVAL PARTICIPATING PRODUCTION
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival National Awards
- Distinguished Achievement for Playwriting
- Distinguished Achievement in Curriculum Enhancement
- Distinguished Achievement for Performance – Andrew Lenox as “Martin”
- Distinguished Achievement in Performance – Caitlin Robertson as “Casey”
LYSISTRATA
- Certificate of Merit for Costume Design — Kim Instenes
INDEPENDENCE
- Chosen for Night of Scenes
PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE
- Certificate of Merit for Light Design — Lisa Balek