Members of Emporia State’s theater department received regional and national ranked awards last week while attending the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Des Moines, Iowa. Sound design, scene design, costumes, directing and acting were some of the categories in which ESU theater received awards.
“It was really cool to see that we cleaned house even though we are a smaller university with not as much funding as other universities get,” said Daniel Vazquez, senior theater major. “It was just cool to see our name over and over again.”
Vazquez received his award in the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) Directing Fellowship category for a scene he directed from “Dr. Voynich and Her Children.” By winning first place in his region, he won a free trip to be sent to nationals.
“It feels awesome,” said Vazquez. “I was really shaken up and I had a little tunnel vision as I was heading down to the stage. It was awesome to know that my work was recognized.”
Another student who received first-place marks was Mike Cooprider, senior theater major. He received an award for scene design for “God of Carnage” and two awards for sound design for “Lifespan of a Fact” and “The Underpants.”
“Without tech a lot of things that we do wouldn’t be possible,” Cooprider said. “It’s the behind the scenes of everything. It’s the magic.”
Outside of individuals, the ESU theater department won a multitude of awards, placements and honorable mentions as a whole.
“It’s super great, especially since, you know, it’s a festival with 1500 kids and to have our students excel and be recognized for their hard work is great,” said Chris Lohkamp, technical director and scene shop supervisor.
While at the festival, students not only received awards but participated in workshops and other activities with around 1500 other students, according to Lohkamp.
“(It was) very heartwarming,” said Isabelle Nelson, senior theater major. “I really loved getting to see people do what I love to do. Everyone there was supportive of each other. It was a very good environment and it was very heartwarming to see.”