WT’s ‘Alice by Heart’ Wins 10 Awards at National Theater Festival
WTAMU Theater Shines at Kennedy Center Festival, Earns Multiple Awards for “Alice by Heart”
Canyon, Texas – West Texas A&M University Theatre’s regional premiere of the musical “Alice by Heart” captivated audiences and judges alike, earning multiple awards at the prestigious Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
The World War II-set reimagining of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” which ran from September 26 to October 5, garnered praise for its talented cast and crew. Sophomore musical theatre major Tori Ybarra from Austin and junior musical theatre major bella Bailey from Little Elm both received coveted Irene Ryan acting nominations for their performances.
“Alice by Heart” wasn’t the only production to receive recognition. Juniors Corinthia Townsend (musical theatre) and Jax Stubblefield (theatre) earned Irene Ryan nominations for their roles in “The Gamester,” staged from October 24 to november 3. All four students will compete in the irene Ryan Scholarship auditions at the Region 6 festival in Abilene from February 23 to 27.The entire cast of “Alice by Heart” was honored with a meritorious achievement award for excellence in acting ensemble, showcasing the strength of their collaborative performance. The production team, design team, cast, and crew also received an award for excellence in collaborative process, highlighting the dedication and teamwork behind the show’s success.
Individual meritorious achievement awards went to several talented students:
Noah Seth Santos (senior, design and technology, Lubbock) for lighting design
Jillian Nuckels (sophomore, design and technology, Andrews) for sound design
Liv Martin (senior, acting, League City) for scenic painting
Dani Collins (junior, design and technology, Lubbock) for costume design, alongside Anne Medlock, professor of costume design and head of the department of Art, Theatre and Dance.
A. Ray Newburg, theatre arts program coordinator for amarillo College, was recognized for scenic design, while co-directors Bradley Behrmann (assistant professor of musical theatre) and Echo Sibley (assistant professor of theatre) where also awarded.
The WTAMU Theatre season continues with “Artemisia” from February 6 to 16 and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” from April 24 to May 4.
The success of “Alice by Heart” at the KCACTF is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of the students, faculty, and staff of WTAMU Theatre.
WTAMU Students Shine at National Theater Festival
Canyon, TX – West Texas A&M University’s theater program is making waves on the national stage. Students recently returned from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) with a slew of awards and recognition, showcasing the talent and dedication nurtured within the University’s thriving arts community.
Tori Ybarra, a standout performer, earned an Irene Ryan acting nomination for her captivating portrayal in the University’s production of “Alice by Heart.” This prestigious nomination recognizes excellence in acting and places Ybarra among the nation’s top collegiate performers.”It was an astonishing experience to be recognized at the festival,” said Ybarra. “The possibility to perform on a national stage and learn from industry professionals was invaluable.”
Ybarra wasn’t alone in her success. Several other WTAMU students received KCACTF awards for their contributions to “Alice by Heart,” highlighting the collaborative nature of theater production.
The production’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire student production team.
Behind the Scenes: A Collaborative Effort
The WTAMU production of “Alice by Heart” was a true team effort, with students taking on a variety of roles both on and off stage.[[[[Image: Photo of Tori ybarra and Logan Lawhon]Key members of the student production staff included:
Dance Captain: Lowe Martinez
Assistant Stage Managers: Allison Miles and Isa Slaughter
Assistant lighting Designer and Master electrician: Violet Greenhaw
Assistant Master Electrician: Bryson Shelton
Light Board Operator: Joshua Hodge
Sound Board Operator: Alyssa Hale
Audio Assistant: MarLowe Martinez
Wardrobe Head: Britt Lazarus
* Stagehands: Kaitlyn Frausto and Jonah Gonzales
This talented group of students worked tirelessly to bring the production to life, demonstrating the depth of talent within WTAMU’s theater program.
A Commitment to the Arts
The success of WTAMU’s theater program is a reflection of the University’s commitment to fostering a vibrant arts community. This commitment is a key component of WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World, the University’s long-range plan.
Fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which recently surpassed its initial $125 million goal, WTAMU continues to invest in its arts programs, providing students with the resources and opportunities they need to excel.The Kennedy center American College Theater Festival is a national program that annually involves 18,000 students from colleges and universities across the country. It provides a platform for students to showcase their talents, receive feedback from industry professionals, and gain national recognition for their achievements.
WTAMU’s success at the festival is a testament to the University’s dedication to providing a world-class education in the arts.
WTAMU Theater Shines On national Stage, Racking Up awards at Kennedy Center Festival
Canyon, TX – West Texas A&M University Theatre is celebrating a major win after its captivating production of “Alice by Heart” swept the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), bringing home multiple awards and prestigious nominations.
To discuss this remarkable achievement and what it means for the future of WTAMU Theatre, we spoke with A. Ray Newburg, Chair of the Department of Art, Theatre, and Dance at WTAMU.
NewsDirectory3: Congratulations on this unbelievable accomplishment! Can you tell us about the importance of the KCACTF and what it means for WTAMU Theatre to be recognized at this level?
Newburg: The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival is a highly esteemed national competition showcasing the best of college theatre.
Being recognized by KCACTF is an incredible honor, validating the tremendous talent and dedication of our students, faculty, and staff. it puts WTAMU Theatre on a national stage,demonstrating the extraordinary quality of our program.
NewsDirectory3: “Alice by Heart”, a World War II-set reimagining of a timeless classic, seems like a unique choice. what made this production stand out?
Newburg: “Alice by Heart” is a truly special piece. It’s a powerful story about hope, resilience, and the transformative nature of imagination, themes that resonated deeply with both our performers and audiences.
The production creatively blended elements of fantasy and reality, and the
students brought incredible energy and emotion to their roles. The technical aspects, from the lighting and sound design to the costumes and set, were also exceptional, creating a truly immersive theatrical experience.
NewsDirectory3: Several students received individual recognition, including coveted Irene Ryan acting nominations. Coudl you elaborate on these achievements?
Newburg: We are incredibly proud of Tori Ybarra, Bella Bailey, Corinthia Townsend, and Jax Stubblefield for earning Irene Ryan nominations. These nominations are a testament to their exceptional acting talent and potential.
Competing at the regional festival in Abilene will be a valuable learning experience for them as they continue to hone their craft.
NewsDirectory3: The awards also acknowledged the collaborative efforts behind “Alice by Heart.”
What does this say about the culture and working relationships within WTAMU Theatre?
newburg: These awards speak volumes about the collaborative spirit that thrives at WTAMU Theatre.We encourage students to work closely together,
supporting and learning from each other.The recognition for excellence in acting ensemble and collaborative process highlights the strength of those relationships and the shared commitment to creating exceptional theatre.
NewsDirectory3: What does this success mean for the future of WTAMU theatre?
Newburg: this recognition at the KCACTF fuels our excitement for the future. It motivates us to continue pushing artistic boundaries, nurturing talent, and providing our students with opportunities to excel on a national stage.
The success of “Alice by Heart” demonstrates the high caliber of work coming from WTAMU Theatre, and we look forward to seeing what our talented students will accomplish in the years to come.