Theater students snag honors at regional festival

From left, Ricky Barnes, Eileen Rozycki, Bobby Glowacki, Katie Hardy and Anetria Cole display awards they received at The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region III Festival, held in Saginaw this month.

Oakland University students earned a number of awards at The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region III Festival, a yearly, week-long event offering college and university students the chance to participate in workshops, see other departments' work, and compete for scholarship money to complete their education.

Anetria Cole, a senior who lives in Pontiac, received an honorable mention in the Ten Minute Play Festival for her original work, “Bronzeville Gold."

Eileen Rozycki of Sylvan Lake and Richard Barnes of Howell, both juniors, took an honorable mention for their work on The Trojan Women. Rozycki won in scenic design and Barnes in light design.

Katelyn Smith of Rochester, a junior, and Andrew Wilhelm of Sterling Heights, a senior, earned certificates of merit for their collaborative work on "Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Toward the Somme," as did Rozycki and Barnes. Robert Glowacki, a senior, took second place in the Tech Olympics.

Three students and their acting partners advanced to the semi-finals in the Irene Ryan Foundation Acting Scholarship competition. They are Adrienne Podjun of Gaines and her partner, Reggie Rose III of Southfield, both seniors; Alex Pedica of Warren and his partner, Katie Hardy of Bloomfield Hills, both seniors; and Allison Kochanski of Troy, a sophomore, and her partner Steven Ross of Livonia, a junior.

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Region III Festival was held at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw. Region III includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin.