Mesa Community College (MCC) students from the disciplines of Design, Dance and the Performing Arts competed in the February 2024 Region VIII Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in California at Glendale Community College. Once again, MCC received a wealth of awards and acclaim for talent, skills and creativity.
Two students will go on to compete April 22 at the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. In the Musical Theatre Initiative, Jose Andres Uribe Garza earned first place for singing, qualifying him for the national competition. Zoe Russo is one of only four students from across the nation selected as an Institute for Theatre Journalism and Advocacy finalist going to nationals.
The following MCC students received honors and awards at the recent Region VIII KCACTF:
- Beau Morgan, Alex Parker, Meg Perales - Irene Ryan Acting semi finalists.
- Bo Staas, Theodore Felix Grant McEntire, Rigo Sandoval, Brian Wayne, Tegan Sanders, Amaya Martinez and Meghan Perales - Design Finalists awarded to all the MCC student designers.
- Rigo Sandoval, Brian Wayne, Tegan Sanders, Amaya Martinez, Meghan Perales - Don Childs Cross-Discipline Collaborative Design Award for "Everything In the Garden."
- Bo Staas - Randy Lutz Allied Design and Technology Award and the Gene Flaharty Mehron Award.
- Theodore Felix Grant McEntire - Design Student Choice Award for Lighting Design.
- Brian Wayne - Design Student Choice Award for Property Design.
- Rigo Sandoval - Design Student Choice Award for Costume Design.
- Breckyn Hall - Dramaturgy:10 minutes Program Notes Award.
- Ransom Allen - Dramaturgy: Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas Early Career Dramaturgy Award.
- Suzy Olson, Thea Moore, Autumn Morgan - Musical Theatre Initiative: Singing Finalist.
- Rio Chavez, Beau Morgan - Musical Theatre Initiative: Singing Alternate.
- Ben Emerick, Brenda Peres, Alexandra Vargas, Porter Molinar, Suzy Olson, José Andres - Musical Theatre Initiative Dance Finalists.
- Autumn Kelleher Morgan - Musical Theatre Initiative: Most Vulnerable.
- Thea Moore - Musical Theatre Initiative: Most Comedic.
“We are so pleased to again be sharing the stellar accomplishments of our college’s Theatre and Film Arts and the Music Arts departments on this national stage,” said Puvana Ganesan, Ph.D., chair of the MCC Communication, Theatre and Film Arts Department. “I want to acknowledge and congratulate our incredible Theatre and Film Arts faculty team as well as the Performing Arts Facilities team for all their inspiring work and support of our students.”
Competing students are coached by MCC faculty and staff who specialize in their field: Mace Archer, faculty and Theatre Program Director in Acting; Kara Thomson, faculty and Theatre Program Director for Design and Technical Theatre; Jennifer Seigle, faculty and Dance Program Director; Dr. Leia Wasbotten, Musical Theatre Performance faculty; Chris Tubilewicz, Performing Arts Facilities Director; Adriana Diaz, Adjunct Faculty in Costume; Tyler Foree, Adjunct Faculty in Theatre Production: Electrics; Anthony Januzzi, Adjunct Faculty in Lighting; and Jesse Soper, Adjunct Faculty in Properties.
Visit mesacc.edu/arts/about to learn more about the arts programs at MCC and the schedule of upcoming performances.
