WIU Theatre & Dance Shines at Kennedy Center Festival

March 18, 2025

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MACOMB, IL – Distinguished faculty and students from Western Illinois University's Department of Theatre and Dance participated in the prestigious Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region three, in Madison, Wisconsin this past January.

This prestigious event brings together top theatre programs from across the region, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for performance, professional development and networking with industry leaders. The delegation showcased their talent, engaged in workshops and competed alongside some of the most promising young artists in collegiate theatre.

WIU made a strong impression this year with a delegation of 14 students and two faculty members who showcased their talent, leadership and technical expertise among some of the best theater programs in the region.

WIU faculty members played key roles in the festival's leadership. Hadley Kamminga-Peck, theater historian and head of directing, served as the KCACTF Illinois state chair and Joshua Wroblewski, associate professor and head of lighting design, served as vice chair of representation, equity and diversity.

Student achievements highlighted WIU's excellence, with Kena McCance (Bachelor of Arts in Performance/Dance) serving as the KCACTF Region three, student council president. Edward Lindem (Master of Fine Arts in Directing) earned an honorable mention for the prestigious National Student Directing Fellowship, while Josie Parish (Master of Fine Arts in Scenic Design) claimed first place in the highly competitive Tech Olympics. Edan Clow and Payton McGinty (both Bachelor of Arts in Production/Design) secured second place in the event, further cementing WIU's reputation for outstanding technical theatre training.

The festival provided invaluable opportunities for WIU students to engage in workshops, compete and connect with industry professionals, demonstrating the strength and impact of WIU's theatre and dance program on a regional and national level.

To learn more about the WIU Theatre and Dance programs, visit wiu.edu/cofac/theatre/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing