Regional festival: Utah theater students shine in competition

College and university theater students have been busy preparing, competing and making a great showing at the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival Regional VIII competition, held in February in St. George.

Utah State University took first place in four of the five categories. Only those who place first advance to the national competition in Washington, D.C.

Students presented visual representations of the their work through drawings and renderings, and photos of the actual production. They also gave oral presentations to the judges.

Congratulations to Jennifer Stapley-Taylor, scenic design, "Sweeney Todd"; Anthony Johnson, lighting design, "Issun Boshi"; Brandee Jenks, costume design, "Issun Boshi"; and Molly Hill, make-up design, "Sweeney Todd."

Lindsay Keller took second place in costume design for "The Glass Menagerie."

Another round of applause for Weber State University. Its productions of "Sleepy Hollow" and Peter Pan" also took home awards.

Student awards went to David Powell for outstanding craft project for "Sleepy Hollow," and Tiaro Puro, make-up design for "Peter Pan."

Big kudos in the faculty award category. The KCACTF Musical Theatre Playwriting Award went to Jim Christian (book and lyrics) and Tom Edward Clark (music) for their original "Sleepy Hollow."

The playwriting award has a cash prize of $4,000 which includes $1,000 to WSU for its support of the project.

Christian and Clark will attend the national festival at the Kennedy Center April 13-17. Student Angela Jeffries has also been invited to sing "Vanished" from the musical. The two men will also attend the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference in Waterford Connecticut this summer.