WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Sept. 18, 2019 — West Liberty University’s theater program continues to earn accolades and over the summer discovered it was the recipient of more awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF).
The cast of last season’s production of, “The Secret in the Wings,” which included Delaney Bird, Alex Burdick, Autumn Cathleen Carver, Lexy Glover, Hayden Heiserman, Jalen McCrary, Ben Moore, Shannon Shiflett, Amanda Tamplen, Daniel White and Vancamp Grant, received Distinguished Achievement in Ensemble Performance.
Additionally, Callie Carroll was recognized for Distinguished Achievement in Directing and Hunter Helms was awarded a Distinguished Achievement in Stage Management for their efforts with the contemporary play.
“This is the second time in three years that WLU was recognized for distinguished work by the national committee. This time it is even more special since “The Secret in the Wings” was entirely produced and directed by students. I am very proud of the work being done by the program,” said Associate Professor of Theater Michael Aulick, who is the overall director of the theater program.
These awards were collected at the Region Two section of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, held earlier this year in New Jersey. The country has eight regions for the college theater competition and WLU is in a region that includes New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia, along with parts of Virginia.
Another point of pride at Kelly Theatre this fall is the recent purchase and installation of a new grand drape with valance for the main stage along with all new soft goods for backstage. This includes a back cyclorama measuring 30 x 90 feet in size, plus black side curtains and valances
“Even these backstage curtains are important to what the audience sees and I was pleased we were able to replace them over the summer,” said WLU Technical Director Meta Lasch, who also is an assistant professor. The curtains that were replaced were about 20 years old, she added.
For more information on the Theatre Department, please visit the College of Arts and Communication website or call 304-336-8006. For more information on WLU, please call 1.866.WESTLIB or visit westliberty.edu.