News

Virtual gallery exhibit of Mary Seigel's costume designs for “Romeo & Juliet Walk Into A Bar.”Carthage Theatre saw great success at the annual Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF)!

The KCACTF is a national theater program that invites students and faculty members from colleges and universities across the country to present their work and vie for national recognition in excellence. Throughout January and February, artists perform in eight Regional Festivals, and finalists then move on to the National Festival in April.

Carthage participated in the Region III Festival in January, which took place virtually for the first time due to the pandemic.

Carthage Theatre Department chair, Professor Herschel Kruger, held an important leadership role this year as the chair of Region III for KCACTF. Marielle Shiring ’22 was the student festival assistant. Sareena Volkman ’21 was the secretary for the region’s student council and assisted with production of the region’s first showcase, “Voices Out Loud.”

Two students were recognized for their strong acting through song in the Music Theatre Intensive (MTI) competition. Music theatre major and directing major Caitlin Preuss ’23 won second-place runner-up in the Music Theatre Intensive (MTI) competition for her performance of “Gotta Get Out” from “Ordinary Days” by Adam Gwon. Matthew Pakkebier ’21 was an MTI semi-finalist.

Another prestigious category in the festival is the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, which awards scholarships to outstanding student-performers continuing their education. Natalie Lall ’21 and Sophie Michalski ’22 advanced to the semi-finals.

Only six students were chosen as regional finalists to direct 10-minute plays for the National Playwriting Program, two of them being Carthage students Natalie Lall and Ellla Spoelstra ’21. Ella won the Regional Directing Award for her direction of “Bev Playing Bev in the ‘Money Shot’” by Amber Palmer. Reading stage directions for both plays were Sareena Volkman and Savannah Kroeger ’22.

“Smokefall” premiered Oct. 22-24, 2020.Gabrielle Tifft ’23 and Mary Seigel ’21 also displayed their work for the Design, Technology, and Management Expo, which celebrates innovative design in costume, scenic, lighting, and sound. Gabrielle participated in the categories of sound design for “Romeo & Juliet Walk Into A Bar” and lighting design for the studio show “Smokefall.” Mary presented her costume designs for “Romeo & Juliet Walk Into A Bar” in a virtual gallery of the best designs in the region. 

Take a virtual tour of the Region III costume gallery exhibit

Congratulations participants!