Alabama State University’s Department of Theatre Arts has made history by winning the top honor in its region's John F. Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Award (KCACTF) for the fourth year in a row!
The winner of the "2016 Kennedy Center Irene Ryan Scholarship regional award" is ASU sophomore Chayning Jenkins. Her scene partner, junior LaDarreun Taylor, is familiar with this level of achievement since he was last year’s winner and Chayning was his scene partner! They are a winning pair.
The two will travel to the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in April to represent their region and ASU in the national competition.
Chayning and LaDarreun were the victors from a body of over 200 undergraduate and graduate level competitors who represented colleges & universities from the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southern Virginia, and Tennessee. She receives a $500 scholarship and an award made by the Kennedy Center, and he will receive a $150 award.
Professor Brian Martin, ASU's associate professor in the Department of Theatre, who mentored, coached, developed and trained the last four consecutive winning acting and singing performance-pairs from ASU calls this year’s win “unbelievable."
"The students always put in such hard work, many long hours, and changes up to competition time; and they always rise to the occasion.” Martin said.
Jenkins and Taylor were among several other ASU student and faculty winners at the festival, which includes:
Ronald James, who won the "Marvin Sims Diversity Award;"
Darrell “DeJay” Morgan, winner of the "Award for Excellence in a Performance from a New Play or Musical;"
Prof. Brian Martin,honored for "Excellence in Directing" for Black N Blue Boys/Broken Men and Black Nativity: A Heavenly Vision;
Faculty member Ramona Ward was recognized for "Excellence in Costume Design" for Black Nativity: A Heavenly Vision;
Dr. Wendy R. Coleman (Dept. chair) who was recognized for "Excellence in Directing" for ASU’s production of Flyin’ West.
The 2016 festival also showcased nominations for ASU Theatre Arts Department students in stage management, dramaturgy, sound, set, & lighting design, as well as an additional six Irene Ryan Acting scholarship nominees, said Dr. Tommie "Tonea" Stewart, dean of the ASU College of Visual & Performing Arts.
“These honors are a testament to the excellent training our students receive in Theatre Arts at Alabama State University." Stewart said. "Four consecutive wins is a milestone and record-breaking achievement for any University in our region." she added
BACKGROUND ON THE AWARDS
The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship is an endowment from the estate of the late Irene Ryan, a renowned theatrical, television and film actress perhaps best known for her role as ‘Granny’ on the hit 1960’s sitcom, The Beverly Hillbillies.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Tuesday, February 9th 2016 at 2:25PM
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