In February before all of the COVID lockdowns and shifts to online learning, 8 Whitman students traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado to showcase their work in the Theater and Dance Department at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.  Many of them won recognition regionally and nationally.  Typically, students who received awards of excellence in their region would all come together in Washington DC in April to showcase that work and participate in a week-long mentorship with industry professionals.  At the end of that week the top students would receive national recognition awards for their work. Unfortunately, quarantines and travel restrictions prevented this opportunity from occurring.  All of those displays were shifted to an online gallery.  Just last week Harper Joy Theater, Associate Professor of Theater, received word that one of our students, Jay Tyson, won the National Award for Excellence in Scenic Design for their design of Ripe Frenzy last Fall.  If you see Jay (virtually or otherwise) please take a moment to congratulate their on this stupendous accomplishment.  It is truly extraordinary.

SCENIC DESIGN
National Respondents-Debra Booth and Tony Cisek
1st Place-Jean Yvonne “Jay” Tyson, Whitman College

Congratulations, Jay!

 From Gregg Henry, Artistic Director of KCACTF at the Kennedy Center

Dear All-

Please join me in congratulating and celebrating the 2020 National Design Award Recipients. You can view their work, and the work of all of the national finalists here: https://dtmkcactf.wixsite.com/kcactf2020

Thanks again to Tony Galaska and Jesse Dreikosen for working with the students to create this portfolio page

Thank you for your patience throughout the summer as we have pivoted, and pivoted again, but ultimately have been able to get to know all of these dynamic young artists and their work. Stay safe and strong!

Gregg