By Sophie Saint-Firmin, News Editor
Feb. 5-8, 13 Asbury students and three faculty members packed their bags and drove six hours to Spartanburg, South Carolina, for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF). According to its official website, KCACTF was founded in 1969 and is a national theater program that involves over 18,000 students from over 600 different colleges nationwide.
Also according to KCACTF’s website, “Through state, regional and national festivals, KCACTF participants celebrate the creative process, see one another’s work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theater artists.” The festival gives awards to all parts of the theater experience, including playwriting, dramaturgy and directing. Aside from the awards, acting performances and competition, there are also a variety of activities, such as symposia and workshops.
This year, professors Jim Shores, Carol Anderson and Jeff Day led the team of Asbury students representing varying majors. The students who were selected to go to the competition were able to choose a partner with whom to do a scene.
“The Asbury students did an excellent job competing for the Irene Ryan Acting Competitions at the Region 4 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival,” said Jim Shores. “It was an honor for them to be selected to attend this prestigious conference.” Asbury sophomore Morgan Lebeau was the Irene candidate and chose junior Frankie Taylor to perform “A Scary Question” with her.
Taylor said that this particular scene showed off their physical capabilities as they used the space to crawl on the floor and jump off of tables. “Luckily the judges liked us, and we moved on to the semifinals,” he said. The first round required a scene and a monologue and consisted of 180 pairings, which then were trimmed down to 40 pairs for the semifinals. “When we found out we were moving on, we were so excited,” said Taylor.
The semifinals were open for anyone to watch, giving the actors a packed theater to perform in. Although the first scene they presented was more creative and imaginative, “the next scene was very real,” said Lebeau regarding her monologue about a failing marriage. Despite not making it to the finals, Lebeau and Taylor had fun acting together.
“In the end, even though we didn’t move on to the finals, I am glad I had the opportunity to compete, and the glory is God’s,” said Taylor. Many of the students said they were grateful for the bonding experience of the festival and the opportunity to be surrounded by people who share a love and passion for theater and acting.
