KU News Release

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas students and alumni brought home several awards from the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival XLIII, held Jan. 16-21 in Ames, Iowa.

Doctoral student Scott Cox, Kansas City, Mo., was selected for the final round of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions and won a cash prize for the Classical Acting Award. He was nominated for his performance as Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” His acting partner was James Teller, a junior from Pittsburg.

Jake Smith, a senior from Council Grove, also competed in the final round of the Irene Ryan auditions with his acting partner Darwin Lujan, a senior from Wichita. Smith played Louie in the KU production of “Lost in Yonkers.”

Lavinia C. Roberts, who received a bachelor’s degree in summer 2009, won the Best 10-Minute Play Award for her short play “He’s Gonna See Stars.”

KU’s November production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” received special commendations, including certificates to Paul Meier, professor of theatre, David Crystal, internationally known Welsh linguist, and the cast for Achievement in Dialect Work; Erin Tomkins, a senior from Lawrence, for Achievement in Sound Design; Delbert Unruh, professor of theatre, for Achievement in Lighting Design; and the cast for Achievement in Ensemble Work.

Graduate scenography students Tammy Keiser, Blue Springs, Mo., and Phillip Schroeder, Olathe, also attended the festival and participated in the Region V Graduate Design Competition.

Students competing are listed below by hometown, level in school, major, parents’ names, schools attended or degrees earned and role in the competition.

CRAWFORD COUNTY
From Pittsburg 66762
James Dennis Teller, junior in theatre; Stephen and Nikki Teller; Pittsburg High School; acting partner in final round of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66047
Erin Murphy Tomkins, senior in music composition; Shelia Murphy and Ray Tomkins; Conlara School, Ann Arbor, Mich.; special commendation for Achievement in Sound Design

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Olathe 66062
Phillip J. Schroeder, master’s student in theatre design; summer 2009 bachelor’s degree in theatre and film from KU; participated in the Region V Graduate Design Competition

LABETTE COUNTY
From Parsons 67357
Lavinia C. Roberts, summer 2009 bachelor’s degree in fine arts from KU; Best 10-minute Play

MORRIS COUNTY
From Council Grove 66846
Jake Smith, senior in theatre and English; Marc and Molly Smith; competed in the final round of the Irene Ryan auditions

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67220
Darwin Luján, senior in theatre; Efraim and Jody Luján; Wichita North High School; acting partner in the final round of the Irene Ryan auditions

MISSOURI
From Blue Springs 64015
Tammy Keiser, master’s student in scenography; 1986 bachelor’s degree from the Kansas City Art Institute; 2002 master’s degree from University of Central Missouri; participated in the Region V Graduate Design Competition

From Kansas City 64151
Scott Cox, doctoral student in theatre; bachelor’s degree in theatre from Missouri State University; master’s in playwriting and dramaturgy from the University of Missouri-Kansas City; competed in the final round of the Irene Ryan auditions and won the Classical Acting Award