It was quite the week for Theatre UNO in Texas at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region VI Festival. Theatre UNO traveled with over 30 students to Amarillo, TX to represent The University of New Orleans—and boy, did they represent!

First, Blair Runion's A Long Low Whistle in the Distance was held as one of sixteen Ten-Minute Plays for consideration for the National Festival in Washington D.C.

Second, Michael Krikorian won the Spam Properties Award: Excellence in Properties for An Experiment With an Air Pump.

And two of our students have won their division and are on their way to the Kennedy Center finals!

Mignon Charvet won the KCACTF Barbizon National Costume Design Finalist Award for An Experiment With an Air Pump. Her award includes a scholarship and a trip to Washington D.C. to compete on the national level of KCACTF. While there, she will participate in design workshops and network with some of the best theatre professionals in her field.

Caroline Langlois and her Irene Ryan Acting Partner Cliff Thompson will be joining Mignon in Washington. Caroline won the Irene Ryan National Finalist Scholarship in Acting. Caroline was one of two chosen from 180 Irene Ryan Nominees at the Regionals. While in Washington, Caroline and Cliff will take Master Classes with theatre professionals and network with the other sixteen national Irene Ryan finalists and their partners.

After being one of six shows chosen to compete from a six-state region, The Night of the Iguana performed to a standing ovation audience of over 800 people. The Night of the Iguana received a glowing response, and the cast and crew were told by two professional theatre practitioners, “This production is now the benchmark for all productions of The Night of the Iguana.” Although the production wasn't chosen for a Kennedy Center performance, Theatre UNO was a giant hit—especially among contestants from schools around the region who flocked to its recruiting table, eager to become part of our outstanding program.

Upon returning to New Orleans, Theatre UNO learned that it was nominated for a Big Easy Award for Best University Production for The Night of the Iguana. The kudos continue . . . .

"I'd like to thank everyone who helped make this trip possible for Theatre UNO. It was well worth the effort for the troupe. They know they couldn't have had the chance to shine without your help. I know it too, and will always be grateful for the financial and emotional support offered by so many alumni and friends of the College of Liberal Arts," said David Hoover, Chair of UNO's Department of Film, Theatre and Communication Arts.