Department of Theatre and Dance: Western Illinois University

Highlights of WIU at the 2007 KC/ACTF

These WIU theatre majors won recognition in the Irene Ryans:

Samantha Dubina won the Judge's Award for Musical Theatre.
CJ Langdon won recognition as Best Partner.
Kelli Crump won the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. She and her partner Melody Betts went on to participate in the National Finals in Washington, D.C.

WIU’s Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees for 2006-2007 were:
Kelli Crump, Samantha Dubina, Drew Hampton, Peter Johnson, Erin Roe, Micah Spayer, Tristan Tapscott, Julia Thurlow, Patrick Tierney, Nick Vienna, Jillian Weingart and Sam Weller. Kelli, Samantha, Patrick and Jillian were among the 15 out of 370 nominees who advanced to the Finals.

These WIU theatre students were honored with Certificates of Merit:

David Badon, scenic design for Communicating Doors
Fulton Burns, directing for Amadeus
Alison Gritz, choreography for Blood Brothers
Jamie McCoy, choreography for Amadeus
Cast, ensemble acting for Amadeus

Other Student Achievements at the 2007 Regional Festival:

Steve Svec organized ACTF Region III's first ever Improv Jam.
Drew Hampton, Adam Habben, Steve Svec and Shawn Wilson were cast in play readings and/or the 10-Minute Play Festival.
Twelve WIU theatre students participated in the Unrehearsed Shakespeare performance of Julius Caesar
Christian Krauspe's play "Friendly Fire" won 3rd place in the 10-Minute Play Festival

Faculty Achievements and Activities at the 2007 Regional Festival:

Prof. Michael Swanson was awarded the 2007 Gold Medallion Award for outstanding service to ACTF and the region.
Bill Kincaid served as as Illinois State Chair for Region III of KC/ACTF
Carolyn Blackinton and Marcus Olson served as Irene Ryan Foundation Acting Scholarship Audition Judges: Preliminary Round.
Bill Kincaid and DC Wright presented workshops.
Lynn Thompson accompanied the four Irene Ryan finalists from WIU

Read about WIU’s success at the 2007 KC/ACTF Region III Festival.