Northwestern student wins theatre award for design and technology

For the second consecutive year, Northwestern College senior Jack MacGregor, a theatre major from Denison, Iowa, achieved a first-place finish at the Region Five Kennedy Center College American Theater Festival (KCACTF), held this year in Des Moines Jan. 19–25.

MacGregor won Region Five’s top award in the allied design and technology category for his work on puppets he made for Northwestern’s production of “Sense and Sensibility.” As part of his award, he earned an all-expense-paid trip to the annual conference and stage expo of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), which will take place in Columbus, Ohio, March 5–8. Last year, MacGregor won Region Five’s top scenic design award for his work on Northwestern’s production of “Silent Sky” and subsequently placed second nationally.

Other Northwestern students recognized at the Region Five festival were Micah De Young and Mackenna Thurman, who advanced to the semifinals of the Irene Ryan Acting Competition, and Emily Espinoza, who earned honorable mention for her costume design for Northwestern’s production of “A Perfect Dog.” De Young is a freshman from Orange City; Thurman is a sophomore theatre education major from Florence, Montana; and Espinoza is a sophomore theatre major from Schleswig, Iowa.

In addition, a number of Northwestern theatre students and faculty were presented with Certificates of Commendation at the Region Five festival. Those recognized for their work on “A Perfect Dog” included:

• Drew Schmidt, associate professor of theatre, for projection design;
• Melissa Thompson, a junior computer science major from Cavour, South Dakota, for sound design;
• Lilia Twaddle, a freshman social work major from Quincy, Illinois, for outstanding performance by an ensemble member;
• The entire cast and creative team for innovative audience integration; and
• The Northwestern theatre department, for outstanding hospitality provided to audiences.

Certificates of Commendation for “Sense and Sensibility” were presented to:

• Robert Hubbard, professor of theatre, for direction;
• Jack MacGregor for scenic design;
• Raquel Yoder, a junior biblical and theological studies major from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for dramaturgy; and
• Elliana Zerr, a senior biology–health professions and theatre major from Salem, Wisconsin, for costume design.

The KCACTF Region Five Festival is an annual event that includes undergraduate and graduate students from six Midwestern states.

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