URTA is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2022 Awards for Excellence in Undergraduate Training. The awards recognize outstanding work of undergraduate instructors, coaches, mentors, as well as institutions, for excellence in the training and preparation of undergraduate theatre artists.
This year’s award recipients are:

Individuals

• Acting – Dr. Baron Kelly, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Costume Design & Technology – Assistant Professor Larissa McConnell, Gustavus Adolphus College
• Lighting Design & Technology – Assistant Professor Marissa Díaz, University of Texas at El Paso
• Projection/Media Design – Associate Professor Price Johnston, Colorado State University
• Properties Design – Professor John Saari, Greensboro College
• Scenic Design & Technology – Associate Professor Milagros Ponce de León, Penn State
• Technical Direction – Associate Professor Jonathan Shimon, University at Buffalo

Institutions

Acting – Idaho State University

Design & Technology – Arizona State University

URTA acknowledges the important contributions of these instructors and institutions in providing undergraduates with the essential skills needed to prepare for advanced theatre training, and ultimately to take their place in the profession. The two institutions, Arizona State University and Idaho State University, will receive Candidate Awards, providing free registration for the URTAs to a student of their choice.

Awardees will be honored at a reception during the URTA Auditions & Interviews in January.

“The foundation of success for countless theater artists is laid during their undergraduate training by the dedicated instructors and mentors they encounter. URTA is thrilled to shine a spotlight on these instructors and institutions through the URTA Excellence Awards, now in its fourth year, as a way to celebrate their professional achievements and the vital impact they are making on young theater artists.”

More than 1,000 candidates pursuing graduate training in theatre take part in the URTA Auditions & Interviews (“the URTAs”) each year. The event also includes classes, workshops, and panel discussions on theatre topics of interest to both candidates and recruiters. In 2023, the URTAs will return to in-person programming while maintaining online options for candidates.

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