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WIU Theatre and Dance Student Nissi Smith Wins National Kennedy Center Honor

April 19, 2018

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Learn more about WIU's Musical Theatre Signature Academic Program.

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MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University junior Nissi Smith won the Musical Theatre Intensive category of this weekend's Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Washington, DC, beating out 17 other national finalists.

Smith, of South Holland, IL, qualified to take part in the competition through a Midwest regional competition. She said hearing her name as the winner of the KCACTF Open Jar National Award for performing "I'm Here," from "The Color Purple," left her shaken.

"Everyone that I was participating in this 'competition,' and I use that word lightly, with was just phenomenal," said Smith. "It was such a humbling experience working with fellow artists."

Smith added that the award she won wasn't the most valuable thing she walked away from the weekend with.

"The real award was meeting the people I met, learning from them, and knowing that I found a tribe of like-minded people," she said. "That's why I said I use the word 'competition' lightly. It never felt like a competition. It was a collaboration, and I am elated that I now have another opportunity to meet and work with more great artists this summer."

WIU Department of Theatre and Dance Chair Tammy Killian said Smith has "grabbed hold of the individual, holistic approach to the art of theatre we offer in the classroom and production and has embodied it."

"The Department of Theatre and Dance could not be prouder of her work in our program and her representation of us at KCACTF," said Killian. "When you look at Nissi, and all our WIU T&D students, you see what is at the heart of our program; discipline, accountability, perseverance, problem solving, communication, creativity, humility, respect and vision. We are proud of and grateful to Nissi for representing WIU and all we stand for in such a graceful and beautiful way."

Killian added that Smith considers the subtleties within the work and the purpose behind playwright's words.

"She's works tirelessly in production and in classes to create, develop, and discover her own artistic identity," she said. " She has synthesized work in her dance, acting, voice and musical theatre courses to hone audition packages and the pieces she performed at KCACTF. She is an insightful, sensitive, and self-aware individual driven to explore the arts, and through them a deeper understanding of the human condition."

The Open Jar award provides Smith with a full-ride scholarship, including round trip travel and hotel, to the Open Jar Institute in New York City. The institute provides a week of workshops, opportunities to meet industry representatives and to see Broadway productions every night.

In addition to the institute, Smith is contracted this summer to work with the Crossroads Repertory Theatre in Terra Haute, IN, this summer in its production of "Hairspray." She will perform as the characters of Lil Inez/Shayna from May 28-July 29, before leaving for the institute.

At Western, Smith is an actor, singer, dancer and choreographer. To qualify for the national event, Smith had to perform a song and a dance in competition with 18 students from other Midwestern universities. Only one competitor qualified for the national competition.

Smith also recently performed in WIU's production of "Avenue Q," playing Gary Coleman.

Learn more about WIU's Musical Theatre Signature Academic Program.



Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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