January 31st, 2025
Mankato — The Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Performing Arts is excited to announce the award recipients from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region V. The 57th annual festival was held in Des Moines, IA January 19-25, 2025. 40 students from Minnesota State University, Mankato attended the festival.
Region V represents Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Missouri, and its regional festival is the largest of the eight in the country. The productions that are included in consideration for awards were performed in the 2024 calendar year.
Irene Ryan Semi-Finalists and the Musical Theatre Intensive (MTI)
The Irene Ryan Foundation awards eight regional scholarships and one national scholarship annually through a competitive round of acting auditions. MTI celebrates and recognizes outstanding musical theatre students throughout the region.
Liz Albenesius, Meg Breithaupt, Landon Hudson, Davis Jensen and Brooklyn Kellenberger advanced to the Irene Ryan Acting semifinals. Breithaupt (partnered by Chris Martens) and Hudson (partnered by Cadence Smith) advanced to the Irene Ryan Acting Finals. Landon Hudson was the runner-up for the Irene Ryan Acting competition. He received an invitation to the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington D.C. in April.
Alyse Boudreau, A.B. Borjon, Davis Jensen, Jacynda Santiago, Landon Hudson and Brooklyn Kellenberger advanced to the MTI Singing Semi Finals. Hudson and Kellenberger advanced to the MTI Singing Finals and Landon Hudson won the singing competition. Hudson received an invitation to the Broadway Summer Intensive with the Open Jar Institute in New York City. Brooklyn Kellenberger received a “Ya Better Work!” award for her exceptional hard work during the MTI competition.
A.B. Borjon advanced to the MTI dance finals.
Certificates of Merit
Certificates of Merit are awarded by individual KCACTF representatives who come to campus and respond to a production. This award represents a noteworthy achievement by an individual or group on that particular production.
- Melanie Christinsen was recognized for Lighting Design for Constellations.
- Clayton Thorson was recognized for Technical Direction for Constellations.
- Natalie Hermreck was recognized for Stage Management for Constellations.
- Steven Smith was recognized for Lighting Design for Men on Boats.
- Glo Toupence was recognized for Assistant Directing for Men on Boats.
- The ensemble of Men on Boats was recognized for their performance.
- Eun Kang was recognized for Sound Effects for Men on Boats.
- Anastasiia Didenko was recognized for Music Design for Men on Boats.
- Rebekah Willey was recognized for Stage Management for Men on Boats.
- Matthew Caron was recognized for Direction for Lend Me a Soprano.
- The Ensemble of Lend Me a Soprano was recognized for their performance.
- Chloe Ortiz was recognized for Dance Captain for Cabaret.
- Emma Miller was recognized for Poster and Program Design for Cabaret.
- Rebekah Willey was recognized for Stage Management for Cabaret.
- Jayna Sherman was recognized for Props Master for Anastasia.
- Liz Albenesius was recognized for Choreography for Anastasia.
- Delia Stoeckel was recognized for Stage Management for Anastasia.
- Parker Adams was recognized for Costume Design for Clue.
- Delia Stoeckel was recognized for Stage Management for Clue.
- Davis Jensen, Klara Lybeck, Brett Moran and Alex Vigil were recognized as Stagehands for Clue.
- The Ensemble of Clue were recognized for their performance.
Additional Awards and Recognitions
Rebekah Willey received recognition for her stage management work and earned a trip to Washington D.C. in April for the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
Jayna Sherman received an “Outstanding Direction of a 10-minute play” award.
Matthew Walsh received the “ETC Emerging Designer” award.
Vicky Shlenova received an award recognizing her as a first-time presenter who brought five projects to the Design, Technology and Management Expo.
Seven students performed in a scene from Cabaret and received a certificate of recognition for their work.
The costumes from Lend Me a Soprano, designed by David McCarl, were invited to be presented at the costume parade at the festival.
Faculty members Nicholas Wayne, Vladimir Rovinsky and Christi Smith, and graduate students Phyllis Horridge and Selwyn Ofori presented workshops during the festival. Faculty member Matthew Caron served as Assistant Coordinator of the Invited Scenes Event.