KU Theatre students, faculty recognized at American College Theatre Festival regionals
LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Department of Theatre & Dance students and faculty members received honors at the American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) Region V Festival earlier this spring in Rochester, Minnesota.
Select students displayed their work and presented to judges at the festival, resulting in four awards:
- Jordan Malone, a master's student in scenography and freelance designer and technician, earned a Vectorworks Award for his work on “Silent Sky.”
- Katie Cooley, a master’s student in scenography, earned regional first place for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
- James Kensinger, a senior in theatre from Topeka, earned the regional first place in dramaturgy for “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.”
- Lacey Marr, a senior in theatre design from Shawnee, earned distinction as the Sharon Sobel Costume Design Award recipient.
Outstanding work from the KU department was recognized through 22 regional commendations, all of which were tied to 2025 University Theatre productions. The department won 13 awards the previous year. Entire ensembles for two shows were commended.
At various times during 2025, ACTF representatives came to Lawrence to judge the submitted works and provide responses. The four honored KU faculty members are indicated below in the list of meritorious commendations.
“John Proctor Is the Villain”
- Professor Jane Barnette (direction)
- Josh Gilpin (scenic design)
- Lacey Marr (costume design)
- Riley Sansbury (lighting design)
- Nya Rippert (stage management)
- Tiffani Brooks Hagan (dramaturgy)
- Mackenzie McLaughlin (music composition)
“Silent Sky”
- Ensemble (ensemble acting)
- Jordan Malone (scenic design)
- Hana Rose North (sound design)
- Rhea Penny (projection design)
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
- Ensemble (ensemble dynamics)
- KU lecturer Theresa Buchheister (direction)
- Katherine Leverenz (direction and choreography)
- KU lecturer and musical director Jeremy Watson (musical direction)
- Katie Cooley (scenic design)
- KU lecturer Erin Barnett (costume design)
- Sean Ingram (lighting design)
- Kitty Corum (sound design)
- Jordan Cabuay (stage management)
- James Kensinger (dramaturgy).
“It was another great year for the University Theatre,” said Henry Bial, professor and chair of the Department of Theatre & Dance. “This level of recognition is further evidence that KU offers one of the premier performing arts programs in the region."
“Going to the American College Theatre Festival offers great experiences and creates strong friendships for our students. Spending time together and offering each other feedback and encouragement is rewarding for me to watch,” said Kelly Vogel, head of scenography and associate teaching professor in the department. “Our design students are always professional when interacting with judges and other school’s students. We enjoy the opportunity to celebrate our design achievements, network with other students, meet other professors and see what other colleges are doing.”
ACTF is a national theatre program serving 18,000 students from eight regions annually.
The University Theatre is a production wing of KU's Department of Theatre & Dance, offering public productions throughout the academic year. The University Theatre productions are funded in part by KU Student Senate fees with additional support from Truity Credit Union.
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. Learn more on the Department of Theatre & Dance webpage. See more about public performances on the KU Theatre webpage and KU Dance website.
