MESA, Arizona – March 9, 2016 – Students from the Mesa Community College Theatre & Film Arts Department and Music Department earned multiple recognitions against rigorous competition during the Region VIII Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) held in Hawaii on February 11-14.

Nationally, 550 colleges compete in KCACTF, with approximately 45 competing in Region VIII; 13 community colleges and 32 four-year institutions and graduate programs.

Kinsey Peotter received First Place for the Musical Theater Initiative and earned the Open Jar Institute Scholarship. She will represent MCC at the KCACTF National Conference in Washington, D.C. in April.

Adam Bei, Kaitlin Booth, Danie Grief, Katie McCarthy, Sammie Sanchez, and Brie Wadsworth were also accepted into the Open Jar Institute.

Laurence Lilagan and Harrison Hayes brought home technical theatre awards. Liligan was a Design Finalist in Allied Crafts and Properties for the properties design of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Hayes received an Honorable Mention in Theoretical Lighting for Design in Water by the Spoonful.

Kaitlin Booth is one of two Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship semifinalists who competed with 300 other students for outstanding acting by adjudicators for the honor.

MCC students also received recognition in several Musical Theatre Initiative categories:

• Featured Singers: Kinsey Peotter, Adam Bei, Danie Grief, and Kaitlin Booth

• Dancers: Katie McCarthy, Kaitlin Booth, Danie Grief, Adam Bei, Tuni Hernandez, Sammie Sanchez, Brie Wadsworth, and Josh Lindblom

• Official Festival Accompanist: Jenn Crandall

In addition, actors from the MCC Theatre and Music programs auditioned for acting conservatories and professional theatre companies in the Next Step Auditions, all of whom received callbacks for the intensive California State University Summer Acting Program.

Next Step Audition honors included:

• Dolores Mendoza was awarded Best Actor in the New Play Project 10-minute play Nan

• Devised Theatre recognized Raijene Rodriguez and Gina Hoyt for their roles in Products of the Future

• Jack Nguyen was honored with a Dancer, Musical Theatre Initiative for his Caberet performance

• Ausette Anderies and Samantha Hanna presented segments of Othello in the Festival’s Evening of Invited Scenes

Competing students were coached by MCC faculty and staff who specialize in their fields: Kevin Dressler, Performance Faculty; Kara Thomson, Scenic Design Faculty; Mallory Prucha, Costume Design Faculty, Chris Tubilewicz, Technical Director/Production Manager; Stephanie Salem, Assistant Technical Director/Scene Shop Supervisor; Jeff Parulski, Lighting and Sound Supervisor; Sue Anne Lucius, Music Faculty, Cathy Hauan, Music Faculty; Jennifer Crandall, Accompanist; Alex Keen, Technical Director/Production Manager.

These inspiring artists and others will share their talents during Spring performances at the college. Please visit mesacc.edu/arts to find a performance best suiting your passion, interest and schedule.

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Contacts
Dawn Zimmer, 480-461-7892, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu
Sally Mesarosh, 480-461-7283, sally.mesarosh@mesacc.edu

The Arts at MCC website (mesacc.edu/arts), was developed to aid patrons in finding an experience best suiting their passion, interest and schedule. Featured events range from live music, dance, instrumental and theatrical performances to fine art shows featuring student, faculty and visiting artists, sculpture, digital, and painting works. MCC’s state-of-the art venues which collectively represent more than a $20 million investment by our community. Support for arts education was overwhelmingly approved by East Valley voters as part of the Maricopa Community Colleges’ 2004 Bond Referendum.  The new and remodeled venues at MCC also provide important learning laboratories for students to complete their course requirements while providing our community opportunities to see award-winning performances and exhibits.

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for its service-learning, civic engagement and innovative 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 195 degrees and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations.  MCC’s student body hails predominantly from the East Valley of Phoenix and includes Veteran, American Indian and International students who enrich the learning experience. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to compete locally and globally. MCC is one of 10 colleges that comprise the Maricopa County Community College District. The District also includes the Maricopa Corporate College and two skill centers. For additional information, visit mesacc.edu.

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) http://www.ncahlc.org, 800-621-7440.

The Maricopa County Community College District is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.