Sixteen Whittier College theatre students attended the 52nd annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
Each year, KCACTF participants attend workshops and auditions, watch and participate in a wide range of performances, and compete against students across the region for highly competitive awards and scholarships in the theatre arts.
English and theatre double major Ariel Horton ’21 was one of the students to attend the festival and shares her experience.
By Ariel Horton
For a week, my peers and I woke up bright and early every day to drive to California State University, Fullerton, to attend this year’s Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).
I attended KCACTF for the first time last year, when Whittier College hosted the event. Though I had been acting all my life, I had just recently added the theatre performance major at Whittier—so the festival was my first real jump into the world of college theatre. I was exposed to so many exciting experiences there that I was anxious to return. Now, as a burgeoning senior with my eye on grad school, this year’s KCACTF opened the door to some truly valuable post-graduate and career opportunities for me. At the festival, my peers and I were able to audition for theatre companies, graduate programs, and conservatories. I personally received a number of callbacks that I’m looking forward to!
I am most proud of my performance in the Irene Ryan Scholarship Competition. Annually, about 400 students are invited to compete in these highly competitive scholarship auditions. This year, I was nominated for my performance in Whittier’s production of Pippin. My classmates, Sabrina Astengo ’20, Stephee Bonifacio ’20, Lauren Estrada ’20, and Nicholas Molinaro ’22 were also selected based on their work in other College productions. I was truly honored when I (alongside my partner, Cole DiGrazia ’21) was among less than 15% of students in the region to advance to the semi-final round of the competition. Moments like these motivate me to continue pursuing my passion.
My peers and I made the most of opportunities outside the Irene Ryan competition, as well. I was also selected to perform in 10-minute plays for the New Play Project, along with my friends, Stephee and Megan D’Souza ’21. The plays in which Megan and I participated both advanced to the National KCACTF Finals.
Additionally, for the second year in a row, Sabrina Astengo ’21 earned one of 16 coveted spots in the Musical Theatre Initiative cabaret. Last year, the same event earned her a full scholarship to an intensive musical theatre residency program in New York City. As for this summer, Lauren Estrada ’20 was awarded a full scholarship to the Summer Arts program at California State University Fresno, where she will take conservatory classes in various acting styles.
Finally, Professor of Theatre Gil Gonzalez, who has taught me in many classes and is my director in this year’s production of Two Gentlemen of Verona, was awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion. The prestigious honor is awarded each year to an individual who has made extraordinary contributions to the KCACTF, and achieved excellence in the teaching and production of college theatre.
Overall, I count this year’s festival as a success for the Whittier College theatre department. I am proud to be part of this tiny community of loving theatre artists, and I am so grateful to the College for giving me the opportunity of KCACTF.
