KU Department of Theatre & Dance announces 2026 award winners
LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance has recognized 30 outstanding students for academic merit and contributions to departmental performances and its culture. The Jayhawks were celebrated at the department’s year-end awards ceremony.
“It is with great pride that we acknowledge our students’ outstanding achievements,” said Henry Bial, professor and chair. “These awardees are just a few of the many Theatre and Dance students whose artistic and academic contributions make our Department a special place.”
The Kilty Kane Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions made to the University Theatre, was presented to Maya Welde, of Overland Park, who completed her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.
The Kuhlke Humanitarian Award, given in recognition of humanitarian service to the department, was presented to Madi Seelye, of Lawrence, who completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Both awards are named for actors (Jerome Kilty and Professor Emeritus William Kuhlke) credited with memorable performances as guest artists in Murphy Hall.
The Key Collaborator Award, given in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University Dance Company, was presented to Sophia Harrison, of Topeka, who completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a business minor.
The Elizabeth Sherbon Award is named for the retired KU professor who established the dance major at KU. That honor went to two returning students, Abby Boyd, of Topeka, and Sofia Dunkelberger, of Wichita, both dance students who epitomize Sherbon’s spirit with their outstanding academic and performance achievements.
The department, along with the University of Kansas, celebrates the inclusion of a dance student in the 2026 University Awards. Sloane Smith, who completed a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, earned The Alexis F. Dillard Award for contributing to the university through campus involvement, one of 11 student honorees.
This listing also includes recipients of a hands-on, arts administrative training opportunity within the department, known as the Loren Kennedy Ambassadorship. Awardees and ambassadors:
Kansas
- Joseph Albano, Kansas City, Marilyn Hunt Scharine Award
- Katelyn Arnold, Topeka, Laura Louise Pryor Award
- Abby Boyd, Topeka, Elizabeth Sherbon Award
- Sofia Dunkelberger, Wichita, Elizabeth Sherbon Award, Loren Kennedy Ambassador (emeritus)
- Sophia Harrison, Topeka, Key Collaborator Award
- Noah Hastings, Olathe, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Cooper Holmes, Overland Park, Shirley and Tom P. Rea Memorial Award
- Sean Ingram, Shawnee, Glenn Bickle Award, Loren Kennedy Ambassador (coordinator)
- Syd Olson, Wichita, Gerhard Zuther Memorial Award for Dramatic Scriptwriting, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Chloe Pennington, Shawnee, Brian Ten Eyck Davis Award
- Alex Reimer, Paola, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Jay Santee, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Casey Schenk, Topeka, Jack B. Wright Award
- Shia Schrock, Olathe, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Madi Seelye, Lawrence, Kuhlke Humanitarian Award
- Molly Stover-Brown, Wichita, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Morgan Tate, Shawnee, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Dawson Welde, Overland Park, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Maya Welde, Overland Park, Kilty Kane Award
- Elizabeth Wellman, Lawrence, Jumpstart Award.
Other states and countries
- Sergio Alicea Román, Jan Juan, Puerto Rico, Joseph R. Roach Dissertation Research Award
- Darryl Brundidge, Pensacola, Florida, Social Justice Award
- Katie Cooley, Plano, Texas, Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding Returning GTA Award
- Kitty Corum, Kansas City, Missouri, Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding New GTA Award
- Thomas Jenson, Salt Lake City, Utah, Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding New GTA Award
- Paige Katz, Omaha, Nebraska, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Kaylee Lempke, Omaha, Nebraska, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Alireza Mirzaeinezhad, Iran, Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding Returning GTA Award
- Jordan Rasmussen, Polk City, Iowa, Loren Kennedy Ambassador
- Sloane Smith, Littleton, Colorado, The Alexis F. Dillard Award (University Awards 2026).
The Department of Theatre & Dance is one of three departments in the School of the Arts. As part of the KU College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the School of the Arts offers fresh possibilities for collaboration between the arts and the humanities, sciences, social sciences, international and interdisciplinary studies.
For more information on the Department of Theatre & Dance, visit the department website. For information about audition opportunities and performances of the University Theatre, visit the KU Theatre website. For the University Dance Company, please visit the UDC website.