Theatre students and professor Heather Tinker came away from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Region 5 Festival with numerous accolades. The event was held in Des Moines, Iowa in January. The national theater program involves 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities nationwide. KCACTF aims to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs.

Junior Bryson Kendall came away as the overall winner of the Music Theatre Initiative Showcase for Region 5 and will advance to the national stage In Washington, D.C., in April. Bryson will spend time in master classes and discussions with professional theatre artists and visit D.C. theaters. The opportunity to connect with other students and professionals is an outstanding opportunity.

Other MNU students were rewarded for their performance with the following commendations.

• Abigail Howard: MTI semi-finalist
• William Gurley, Caity Nelson, Zach Rodriguez: MTI Showcase group number finalist
• Allyson Hayse-Tinker: MTI Showcase finalist
• Maleena Johnson: Irene Ryan semi-finalist
• William Gurley: Irene Ryan semi-finalist
• Ensemble Performance: “Steel Magnolias”
• Ruth Smerchek: Costume Design for “Steel Magnolias”
• Allyson Hayse-Tinker and Ashley Parker: Hair and Makeup Design for “Steel Magnolias”
• Musical Theatre Performance: Bryson Kendall for “Singin’ in the Rain”
• Austin Stang: Choreography for “Singin’ in the Rain”
• Josiah Crandall: Video Production and Editing for “Singin’ in the Rain”
• Trent Tinker: Music Direction for “Singin’ in the Rain”
• Heather Tinker: Direction for “Singin’ in the Rain”
• Sophia Metzger: stage crew Olympics team student choice award
• Aaron Griffin: Safety award and second place in stage crew Olympics
• Caity Nelson and Grady Eichman: 10-minute play performers
• Brinna Ream, Ryan Beasley, Jordan Miller, and Grady Eichman: long-form improv intensive performers
• Kayli Slayden: lottery play reading