Today@Sam Article
Musical Theatre Triumphs Again at Nationals
May 1, 2018
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti
Story by Bri Smith
What does it take to win a national award? Many days and nights of dedication and preparation. For Adrian Lopez, all of the hard work has paved the way for a promising future. 
As a SHSU Musical Theatre graduating senior, Lopez recently attended The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Washington, D.C. and impressively took home the first-place prize for the Musical Theatre Initiative.
This is the second year in a row that a SHSU student has taken home this award, with Dominic Pecikonis winning in 2017.
The accomplishment is exceptional considering that only eight students are accepted from across the country, one from each region, to participate in the national festival. Representing SHSU’s region, Lopez earned the first-place honor competing with over 18,000 students.
Recognized at a national level, the prestigious award offers only one student with a Scholarship to the Open Jar institute, New York City's most Broadway-integrated actor training program. The institute provides intensive one-on-one training with Broadway's biggest stars, performers, directors, choreographers, agents and casting directors.
“I'm very proud of the voice training being done in the Musical Theatre Program. Adrian could not be a more deserving recipient. His dedication to his craft is exemplary,” said Laura Avery, associate professor of Voice and Musical Theatre.
For 49 years, KCACTF has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States by providing participants with workshops, symposia and regional-level award programs that assist students in polishing their skills to achieve the professionalism they need. The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.
Other SHSU notable mentions from KCACTF Regional Festival:
Recognized for placing second, SHSU’s Musical Theatre student Zachary Willis
VASTA Award for Voice and Speech: Destiny Mosley
Best Partner in The Irene Finals: Tamarah Tucker
Devising Initiative Winner: Sam Houston State University
Distinguished Performance and Production Ensemble: “Gruesome Playground Injuries” SHSU
Distinguished Production of a Play: “Gruesome Playground Injuries” SHSU
Distinguished Performance by an Actress in a Play: Lexie Bounds, “Gruesome Playground Injuries”
Distinguished Performance by an Actor in a Play: Jeremy Gee, “Gruesome Playground Injuries”
Distinguished Lighting Design: Eric Marsh, “Gruesome Playground Injuries”
Distinguished Director of a Play: Joe Serpa Daniels (Musical Theatre Alumni) “Gruesome Playground Injuries”.
Design, Technology and Management Tech Olympic Winners: Kali Gram, Bryce Daniels, Rhiannon Pletcher, and Jessica Hightower
Design Storm Winner: Rhiannon Pletcher
Regional Award for Non-Realize Scenic Design: Jessica Hightower, “The Elephant Man”
Regional Award for Costume Research and Design: Liz Haas, “Silent Sky”
Honor Crew: Rhiannon Pletcher, Jessica Hightower, Jaice Kendall, and Bryce Daniels
Adrian Lopez performs Say It To Me Now
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