Northwestern theatre students earn top regional honors at ACTF

Northwestern College theatre students received top regional recognition at the Region Five American College Theatre Festival (ACTF), held Jan. 18–24 in Rochester, Minnesota.

Senior Melissa Thompson received Region Five’s first-place award in projection design for her work on Northwestern’s production of “The Little Prince,” representing the highest level of recognition in her category at the regional festival. Thompson also received second-place regional recognition in scenic design for the same production.

Two other Northwestern students earned second-place regional honors in additional design categories: Junior Lexi Squier received recognition for costume design for “The Little Prince,” and sophomore Rae Outland earned honors for props design for “Dragons Love Tacos.”

In addition to the design awards, junior AJ Zinn received the festival’s Heart of the Arts Award, which is presented to a student who demonstrates a deep passion for and commitment to the art of theatre.

Northwestern’s invited production of “An Enemy of the People” also received the Golden Hand Truck Award, given annually to the production that demonstrates exceptional teamwork, professionalism and technical excellence during load-in and strike at the festival.

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

Regarded as one of the best Christian college theatre programs in the country, Northwestern’s theatre department features a collaborative, excellence-oriented environment committed to helping students develop their creative gifts for service in God’s kingdom. Study with Northwestern’s award-winning faculty in the outstanding facilities of DeWitt Theatre Arts Center.