U of I students earn awards for theater work

Two University of Idaho theater students earned top national awards during the virtual national Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, which began March 8 and continued through May 22.

One student received a regional theater teaching award.

Junior Hannah Verdi of Hayden received the National KCACTF Musical Theatre Fellowship and will travel all-expenses paid to Washington, D.C. in mid-August to participate. She was also named the 2021 recipient of the Open Jar Institute Scholarship, which includes an all-expenses paid trip to New York City for a one-week Broadway intensive residency at Open Jar, Aug. 1 through 7.

Master of fine arts candidate Brindle Brundage, of St. George, Utah, received a national honorable mention and $250 award for excellence in scenic design for her work on “The Revolutionists.” She received the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Scholarship, which includes a one-week internship.

KT Turner, of Hammond, La., was the Region 7 winner of the American Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)/KCACTF prize for innovative teaching. Turner is an MFA directing candidate and received a one-year membership to the ATHE and entry to the 2021 ATHE conference.

The KCACTF encourages and celebrates the finest and most diverse theatrical productions from colleges and universities nationwide. Involving more than 18,000 students from colleges and universities across the country, KCACTF serves as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater. It comprises eight regional festivals. UI is part of Region 7, which includes Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Alaska, northern Nevada and northern California.

Info: www.uidaho.edu/class/theatre.