January 27, 2021
West Chester University’s Department of Theatre and Dance Brings Home Festival Awards
West Chester University’s Department of Theatre and Dance was well represented and
awarded at the Region II Kennedy 
Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), held virtually from January 11
– 15, 2021.
Now in its 53rd year, the festival attracts theatre students and faculty from colleges and universities in six Mid-Atlantic states for theatre training and competition. At this year’s virtual festival, students attended workshops, panel discussions, competitions, and gave virtual readings and performances. In all, about 50 colleges and universities were represented at this year’s festival. Of the 650 students in attendance, 40 students and 5 faculty members were from West Chester University.
This year, West Chester’s virtual production of UNMUTE YOURSELF, directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Charlie Delmarcelle, was viewed by conference attendees. The production premiered during the fall semester at West Chester University as an original, student-led, presentation with two live virtual performances via zoom.
West Chester University students were recognized with the following festival awards
and honors:
- Aubrey Holzman of Washington, NJ, and Jesheidi Laporte of Philadelphia, PA, made it to the Irene Ryan’s Acting Scholarship semi-finals.
- Zamar Campbell of Philadelphia, PA advanced to the Irene Ryan’s Acting Scholarship
- Nyred Jackson of Jamison, PA, was a finalist of the Musical Theater Initiative and Leslie Monaco of Havertown PA, was cast in the Musical Theatre Initiative’s Cabaret.
- Olivia DiIorio of Ephrata, PA, and Becs Smith of Pomfret, MD, competed in the annual Technical Theatre Olympics winning the Jeopardy style quiz show competition!
- Zachary Galloza of Philadelphia, PA, and Becs Smith of Pomfret, MD, both separately won awards the KCACTF Honorable Mention for Stage Management Excellence.
- April Marion of York, PA, was awarded Outstanding Ensemble Performance of a National Playwriting Program Script Reading.
The Department of Theatre and Dance at West Chester University, an accredited institution of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, prepares students for the professional and the academic worlds of Theatre and Dance, while raising student awareness of civility, diversity, creativity, problem solving and social responsibility. The department offers a BA Theatre degree program with elective concentrations in Musical Theatre, Performance, and Design and Production, in addition to a dance minor and theatre minor.