MESA, Arizona – February 25, 2015 – Mesa Community College’s Theatre and Film Arts Department and Music Department competed in Region VIII of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in St. George, Utah, on Feb. 10-14 at Dixie State University. The annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival recognizes and celebrates the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs.
Students tested their talents in a vast array of theatre specialties and MCC’s Theatre & Film Arts Department and Music Department students again earned extraordinary recognition against rigorous competition from not only other community colleges, but four-year institutions and graduate programs as well. Nationally, 550 colleges compete in KCACTF, with approximately 55 competing in Region VIII. Approximately 35 of the colleges in Region VIII are four-year schools with the remaining 20 being two-year institutions.
Mesa Community College’s Theatre and Film Arts Department students were very successful at the 
MCC Theatre & Film Arts students
competition. Design student Jessica Thompson earned an emerging talent award for her set design of Dead Man’s Cell Phone. Jessica’s particular award provides her a full-fee waiver to attend the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas, an organization that trains theatre and film artists that has a national network with working professionals. In addition, Caitlin Hardwick took second place in Technical Direction, a theatre position that wears the multiple hats of a draftsman, engineer and budget manager. Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship nominee, Janae Dunn, was a semi-finalist in acting with her scene partner, Thomas McCoy.
Several pairs from Mesa Community College’s Music Department competed for the Irene Ryan Acting 
Kinsey Peotter
Scholarship. Kinsey Peotter, with partner Jonathan Holdsworth, reached the finalist round in the competition and achieved a second place finish out of a pool of 300 acting participants from across the region. The MCC Music Department also was invited to bring a 10-minute scene from their fall musical Hairspray and performed in front of a full house on the opening night of the conference.
Actors from the Theatre and Music programs also auditioned for acting conservatories and professional theatre companies in the Next Step Auditions. MCC Theatre & Film Arts student, Marissa Salazar and MCC Music students Kinsey Peotter, Ariana Lucius, Nicole Knox, Rachel Heitkamp, Kamie Tierce Nault, Laynee Overall, Katie McCarthy, Jonathan Holdsworth, and Angelica McGrew earned callbacks to professional theatre companies such as the Neil Simon Festival and Missoula Children’s Theatre; and, scholarship opportunities to study theatre in the California State University system and at the Open Jar Institute.
Students were nominated for the Region VIII competition by being adjudicated from a group of local professional theatre respondents. MCC design students selected from the college’s production of Mother Hicks included Caitlin Hardwick, Technical Director; Cameron Bennett, Lighting Design; and Kerry Trevet, Makeup Design. For Dead Man’s Cell Phone, design nominees were Jesse Thomson, Scenic Design and Jesus Reyes, Costume Design. Student nominees for Rumpelstiltskin include Zachery Bell, Stage Manager and Shaun Smith, Sound Design. Brittany Wojciehowski competed in playwriting in the One-Act Play Competition.
Kevin Dressler coached the Theatre student actors. Cathy Hauan, Jere Van Patten, and Allyson Van Patten served as coaches for Music Theatre student actors. All Design and Technology students were coached by Kara Thomson, Design & Production faculty; Mallory Prucha, Faculty Designer and Costume Shop Supervisor; Chris Tubilewicz, Coordinator of Performing Arts; and Jeffrey Parulski, Technical Theatre Coordinator. Stephanie Salem, Scene Shop Foreman facilitates many student designers as well.
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Contact Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its high-quality educational programs, which include university transfer, career and technical, workforce development, and life-long learning. Host to 40,000 students annually, MCC offers more than 200 degrees and certificates at its two campuses and additional locations. Our diverse student body hails predominantly from the East Valley region of metropolitan Phoenix, and international students from 50 countries enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty dedicated to student success provide the education and training that empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2015, MCC is one of 11 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.
The MCC Theatre & Film Arts Department provides its students with opportunities to work with industry professionals from across the country. Students have the opportunities to act, design, write, direct and crew a variety of productions. Theatrical education provides a valuable base from which to launch careers in film, television, stage, management, marketing, advertising, law, politics, theology, social work, and therapeutic fields among others. Please visit MCC’s Theatre & Film Arts online to learn more.
The MCC Music Performance Program is dedicated to the preparation of students who want to transfer to a four-year program in music performance or want a career as a professional musician. Our program provides you with fundamental musical skills, including theory, performance, composition, and history. Emphasis in both instrumental and vocal performance is available. Additional information is available online.
The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an
equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.