Northwest theatre program brings home prestigious awards from regional festival

Senatobia, MS (02/23/2018) — Students in Northwest Mississippi Community College's theatre pathway are busy preparing for their upcoming production of "A Delicate Ship," and they recently attended the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Georgia.

Preslie Anne Cowley of Cleveland auditioned and was cast in the 10-minute play festival, was a nominated Irene Ryan Acting Award student and competed at the festival, as well as participated in the Musical Theatre Initiative. Jon Tackett of Hernando auditioned and was cast in the 10-minute play festival, competed with his nominated Makeup Design and was Jacob Voglesang's partner in the Irene Ryan Acting Award competition. Vogelsang, who is from Hernando, was a nominated Irene Ryan Acting Award student and competed at the festival.

Ashton Dye of Sarah placed first with her team in the Collaborative Theatre Design Challenge and competed in the costume design competition.

Brynden Foster of Senatobia participated in the Musical Theatre Initiative and advanced to the semifinals (top 18) which was a first for Northwest. He also was double-partnered with Cowley and Steile Warren of Lake Cormorant in the Irene Ryan Acting Award competition. Warren was a nominated Irene Ryan Acting Award student and competed at the festival, as well as participated in the Musical Theatre Initiative.

Kelton Holman of Charleston auditioned and was cast in the 10-minute play festival and competed in the set design competition. Victoria Newton of Nesbit competed in stage management competition as well as the costume design competition. Matt Williams of Hernando competed in the set design competition. Mya Murrell of Senatobia competed in the costume design competition.

Northwest Technical Director Alyssa Algee received a Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Lighting Design for her work on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Sadie Shannon, theatre chair, received a Meritorious Achievement Award for Excellence in Direction for her work on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Northwest will present "A Delicate Ship" on Feb. 28 and March 2, 3 and 4 in the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Senatobia campus. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday performances will begin at 7 p.m., with the Sunday matinee starting at 2 p.m. General admission for the performances is $5 for the general public and free for students with an ID.

The college's spring production, "Waiting for Godot" will be offered April 25, 27, 28 and 29.

For more information, contact Shannon at sshannon@northwestms.edu or visit the website at www.northwestms.edu.

Pictured: These theatre students and instructors from Northwest Mississippi Community College recently attended the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Feb. 6-11 at Georgia Southwestern University in Americus, Georgia and brought back honors. Seated, (l-r) are Ashton Dye of Sarah and Kelton Holman of Charleston. Back row (l-r) are Alyssa Algee, Northwest technical director, Jon Tackett of Hernando, Preslie Cowley of Cleveland, Sadie Shannon, speech and theatre chair and Brynden Foster of Senatobia. (Photo by LaJuan Tallo)