Theatre Students, Alums, Excel at Regional Festival

February 10, 2025

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Theatre students, alumni, faculty and staff recently joined artists from across the Midwest in Des Moines, Iowa for the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.

In addition to workshops, lectures and networking opportunities, Anoka-Ramsey students were recognized for their excellence on stage and behind the scenes. Highlights include:

Alaysha Stevenson was a finalist in the Musical Theatre Intensive’s dance track. She was selected as one of 19 competing students (out of 103) and got to spend three sessions working with choreographers from the Open Jar Institute in New York.

Leigh Weidendorf’s team won the Stage Crew Olympics competition judged by faculty and professionals. The group received a commendation for being the safest stage crew. They also won second place for their design in the Fairy Tale Design Workshop and received a certificate of merit for their work in our fall campus production, These Shining Lives.

Alumnus Matthew Walsh was awarded the ETC Emerging Designer Award for his lighting design from our 2024 spring production of Working.

Kisha Johnson presented her dramaturgy work from our fall show, These Shining Lives, in the Design and Technical Expo. 

Daisy Jean Wawers received a certificate of merit for her graphic design in our fall production of These Shining Lives.

Alley Correa performed in the student Drag Show Intensive. She also competed in the Musical Theatre Singing intensive.

Alumnus Dylan Johnson showcased his stage management portfolio from our 2024 spring production of Working and received feedback from professional stage managers on his work.

Elmy Beckworth competed in the Musical Theatre Singing and Dance Intensive.

Jackson Van House participated in the Fairy Tale Design Workshop, building designs for scenic work with forced perspective.

Quin McConkey participated several workshops including a Costume Draping Workshop and Music Theatre Dance Workshop.

Instructor Kassy Skoretz taught an Ensemble Performance Workshop and a Character Creation Workshop.

Additionally, faculty Peter Lerohl received a certificate of merit for his scenic, lighting, and sound design in our fall production of These Shining Lives.

Anoka-Ramsey’s Theatre department produces three shows each season open to students only. This allows for greater opportunities and experience in acting, design and production. Learn more at AnokaRamsey.edu/theatre.