The name Kennedy Center is synonymous with performing arts excellence. Consistent with Anderson University’s pillar of Great Academics, students in the Theatre and Dance Department of the South Carolina School of the Arts continue to excel in performances for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
Anderson University students shined in their performances during the 2025 Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina, according to Dr. David Sollish, chair of Anderson’s Theatre and Dance program. Dr. Sollish also serves on the festival’s board and is chair of Musical Theatre for Region IV.
Anderson University students received several accolades:
Design/Technology/Management
Two AU students passed on to the Stage Management semi-finals—Anna Elder and Hannah Sappia. Sappia also won the Ingenuity in Stage Management Award. Mackenzie King won Honorable Mention in Scenic Design. Elise Roundtree won Honorable Mention in Costume Design. Evelyn Ruff won Heart of the Art Award for Allied Crafts. Danny Kriner won the Outstanding Design/Tech Exhibit Award.
Performance
Samantha Venable was a finalist for the Irene Ryan Acting Award. She was in the top 16 out of 140 participants.
Anderson University had seven semi-finalists (out of 82 participants) in the Musical Theatre Initiative with Evelyn Ruff and Mary Elizabeth Johnson making it to the final round (out of eight). Mary Elizabeth Johnson won third place and a $1,000 scholarship to the Open Jar Institute in New York City. Hunter Ballard, Hannah Auci, Isabella Murrell, and Zane Beyerl all won specialty awards in Musical Theatre. Candace Lilford, who graduated from AU with her BA in Theatre and is now an MA student at UNCG, won the Region’s Dramaturgy award.
Dr. Sollish, Jessica Johnson, and Andy Rich all received Awards in Excellence for production work. Cara Wood was recognized for faculty excellence.
“Overall, 100 awards were given out across the categories to representatives of 32 of the schools in attendance. Anderson University received the third highest number of awards after the University of Central Florida and Auburn University-Montgomery,” Dr. Sollish said. “More importantly, our students and faculty represented AU with the highest level of skill, artistry, professionalism and class.”
Three Anderson University students have gone on to nationals in the past several years: Kaitlyn Crocker, for Stage Management in 2023; Bethany (Mansfield) Costello, for Musical Theatre in 2019; and Ashlyn Uribe for Musical Theatre in 2016.
More than 700 students from the southeast region competed in numerous categories, attended workshops, saw performances, auditioned and networked. Out of more than 40 colleges and universities represented, of the four-year schools, Anderson University proportionally had the most student participants. Region IV comprises Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands and Virginia.