OPINION: Fond memories of successful, enjoyable theater year

Acceptance to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 3 Conference (KCACTF) has been a prestigious honor. The weeklong event exhibited theatrical excellence featuring a play, design displays and tech Olympiads from UDM.  

I was ecstatic when I was notified that last year’s production of “The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] [again]” was making its way to KCACTF Region 3 this year. Schools across Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Western Ohio compete each year, with only four productions being accepted to each region’s conference.  

During the last performance, the crowd’s energy and standing ovation was the perfect capstone to a much-deserving show. The crew and my castmates returned to the stage in just under a month after a nearly eight-month hiatus. Receiving the news with such short notice I began working diligently, rememorizing the blocking and lines. After only five rehearsals the show made its way onto the stage for its final performances.  

Besides myself, the show featured actors Gavin Rapuzzi (junior) and Mason Modzelewski (alum), and crew Li Udell (sophomore), Josiah Martelle (senior), Liam Quinn (freshman) and Hussein Hashem (freshman).  

This all would not have been possible without the amazing staff of director Andrew Papa, set designer Alan Devlin, costume designer Mary Liz Valesano, stage manager Sarah Rusk, lighting designer Seth Amadei and props designer Alan Batkiewicz.  

While not working on the show, walking throughout the event was also a favorite way to pass time throughout the fetival. Seeing countless artists who were all experienced and skilled was similar to walking through a museum of the arts. I also received the chance to observe the Design Storm team from UDM pull in an honorable mention. Udell’s wonderful work with scenic design secured their team the only honorable mention.  

Udell said, “It was fun getting to work with fellow designers in a competitive environment, and [to see] how that evolved their creativity.”  

The final event I had the honor of participating in was the Tech Olympics. Our team faced tech-related challenges with lighting, sound, props, costuming and knot tying. Our objective was to race the other teams to a soaring conclusion, promptly taking mugshot publicity photos following the event.  

Quinn said, “With speeds like that, we deserve a mugshot.”  

The conference also featured many workshops for students to hone their theatrical skills or pick up new ones. I was overjoyed at this opportunity because each workshop was being led by someone with work experience in the subjects they would teach. 

From knot tying, to audition tips, to how to properly prepare costumes backstage, each one added a tool to my career’s toolbelt.  

The overwhelming love and respect for the arts at this conference was a spectacle. Creativity, expression, respect for mechanics and an understanding of the craft were all praised during the awards ceremonies. 

The crowd filled with Theatre BA and BFA’s met each competition, event and presentation with these values in mind which allowed them to create a spectacle of the arts.  

Not only did this event train and nurture the talents of our Titans, but it was also one of the most fun and beneficial school conferences I have attended. The events of the KCACTF Region 3 Conference and the memories along with them will not soon be forgotten. 

From the theater to the comradery, it is safe to say that none of us can wait to return to next year’s conference.