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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU Theatre Shines at Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival

March 14, 2025

OBU’s Theatre Department showcased its talent on a regional stage in February, presenting “Dreamers: A Depression-Era Musical Fairytale” at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 6 Conference in Abilene, Texas.

The production, written by OBU junior Elena Streett, earned numerous accolades and is in consideration for national recognition at the KCACTF National Festival in April.

The OBU team, including faculty, students, and alumni, performed Dreamers for festival attendees, the KCACTF National Executive Committee, and invited guests from across the country. Alumni Jordan Evans (‘23) and Garrett Wheeler (‘22) joined the production team as a sound engineer and performer, respectively.

Gregg Henry, KCACTF artistic director, and Georgina Escobar, playwriting faculty at Dartmouth College and a MacDowell Fellow, provided the cast and crew with professional feedback, helping shape the work for future development.

Awards and Recognition

OBU Theatre received multiple honors for its work at the festival. Dreamers received:

  • Irene Ryan Acting Awards: Abby Zang and Madeline Carlson.
  • Excellence in Playwriting: Streett.
  • Excellence in New Musical Mentorship: C. Alex Webster and John Dement.
  • Excellence in Collaboration for Devised Theatre: Brianna Arledge and Drew Rohrbach.

Student and Faculty Participation

OBU students competed in various categories, showcasing their talents in musical theatre, devised theatre, and acting.

  • Musical Theatre Initiative Participants: Gracie Carleton, Sierra Graham, Cole Green, Jubal Nelson and Zang.
  • Devised Theatre Initiative Participants: Arledge and Rohrbach.
  • Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Participants: Streett and her scene partner Rohrbach.

OBU faculty played key roles at the conference. Dement, professor of theatre, presented two workshops on prop firearm safety, one for students and another for faculty. He also served as a respondent for the Irene Ryan Scholarship auditions and directed Dreamers.

Webster, an OBU assistant professor and KCACTF Region 6 co-vice chair, coordinated regional events, taught a workshop on interdisciplinarity in musical theatre, and directed the on-site devised theatre performance. She also served as music director for Dreamers, further strengthening the university’s presence at the festival.

Webster said, “OBU Theatre’s strong showing at KCACTF Region 6 highlights the department’s commitment to excellence in performance, playwriting, and theatrical innovation. The university now awaits the national festival in April, where Dreamers may receive additional recognition on a national stage.”