Miguel Lopez Maldonado earned second place, LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award MESA, Arizona -- April 1, 2019 -- The Mesa Community College Theatre & Film Arts Department and Music Department competed in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 8 Festival 51, hosted by the Millennium Biltmore Hotel and the Los Angeles Theatre Center on February 12-16. The regional annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festivals recognize and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theatre programs.

MCC students tested their talents in a vast array of theatre specialties, earning 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 71 competing in Region 8. Approximately 45 of the competing institutions are four-year schools with the remaining being two-year colleges.

This year six well deserving MCC Theatre & Film Arts students received honors and recognitions.

Seamus McSherry (Tempe) and scene partner Cedar Eileen Cody (Phoenix) were semi-finalists for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

Miguel Lopez Maldonado (Mesa) earned second place for the LMDA/KCACTF Student Dramaturgy Award for his work on the MCC production of Doctor Faustus.

Isabel Grasser (Mesa) won the Focal Press Award in the Allied Crafts category for her makeup and hair design for the MCC production of The Intelligent Design of Jenny ChowIsabel Grasser earned the Focal Press Award in the Allied Crafts category .

Two MCC students await official notification noting they earned technical theatre internships with the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts (PCPA) at the Interact interviews for summer projects.

Several MCC faculty also received accolades.

MCC Costume Shop Supervisor and faculty member, Adriana “Addy” Diaz, received the ATHE Award (Association for Theatre in Higher Education) for her innovative work with the MCC Immersive Total Patient Management Experience (ITPME) a collaboration between the MCC paramedic, nursing and psychological science programs through the integration of acting, technical and theatre design students.

Chris Tubilewicz, MCC Performing Arts Facilities director, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to KCACTF Region 8 annual festivals 49, 50 and 51.

Kara Thomson, MCC Theatre Design faculty is on the Executive Board for KCACTF, Region 8, and is the Region 8 Chair of Design, Technology and Management.

Competing students are coached by MCC faculty and staff who specialize in their field: Addy Diaz, MCC faculty receives ATHE award from Gil Gonzalez, KCACTF Region 8 chair Kevin Dressler, Performance Faculty; Kara Thomson, Scenic Design Faculty; Adriana Diaz, Costume Shop Supervisor, Chris Tubilewicz, Performing Arts Facilities Director; Ruth Sager, Production Manager; Stephanie Salem, Scene Shop Supervisor; Cathy Hauan, Music Faculty; and Jennifer Crandall, Accompanist.

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Media Contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawnzimmer@mesacc.edu, 480-461-7892

Mesa Community College is nationally recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 150 community colleges in the United States and is known for service learning, career and technical programs, civic engagement and innovative approaches to education. The college serves as a resource for career readiness, transfer education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 30,000 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs online and at its two campuses and additional locations. Through the implementation of Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services, MCC is transforming ways it champions student success; college completion, university transfer and career attainment for all students. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with a diverse student body, including more than 400 international students representing over 60 countries, who enrich campus learning experiences. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training to empower MCC students to compete locally and globally. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, MCC is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Learn more at mesacc.edu. 

Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit http://www.maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.