The College ‌of‌ ‌the‌ ‌Canyons‌ (COC) ‌Theatre‌ ‌Department’s‌ ‌devised production‌ “Virtuality: the 2020 Tournaments” was presented at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for Region 8 last week.

In devised theatre, the performance ensemble creates the script, costumes, sound, lights, scenery, projections, and anything else needed to bring the show to life. The pre-recorded production of “Virtuality”, which ‌examined ‌the pandemic, protests,‌‌ ‌politics‌ ‌and‌ ‌the‌‌ ‌relationship ‌between‌ ‌news‌ ‌and‌ ‌entertainment, was one of three college productions invited to the festival from Feb.10-13.

“It was a huge honor,” said COC theatre instructor Susan Hinshaw in a statement Thursday. “The students have worked so incredibly hard and did whatever was necessary to bring their very ambitious vision to life. I am so proud of them.”

Established in 1969, KCACTF is a national program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities countrywide with the goal of improving the quality of American college theatre, officials say.

With the help of Christopher Boltz, technical director and chair of the college’s theatre department, “Virtuality” was successfully adapted for Zoom. 

“This is a huge honor,” Boltz said in a statement Thursday. “Our students are competing against students from four-year colleges, conservatory programs, and Master’s theatre programs.”

Chosen from a preliminary pool of 220 students from throughout the region, “Virtuality” cast members Adrianne Hernandez, Bryce van der Klomp, and Clarianna Swaggard were not only nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition, but also advanced to the semi-finals. Swaggard won the Irene Ryan Musical Theatre Award for her work in the COC Theatre Department’s production of “Pippen” and Robert Mosier was awarded for his writing contributions to the production. 

Photo Courtesy of College of the Canyons

Abigail Thomas (featured left), a first-year COC student and one of 10 others nominated from COC’s theatre program, was one of 16 finalists selected for the festival’s Musical Theatre Initiative Cabaret and Competition. Thomas was nominated for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition for her work in “Woyzeck.”

“By embracing the constraints, exploring new technologies, and demonstrating the courage to go toward the unknown, we have continued offering important learning and performance opportunities,” said Jennifer Smolos, Dean of the college’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. “I am delighted that these efforts are being recognized on a broader virtual stage.”

For more information about the COC Theatre program, available courses, or spring auditions, visit the department’s web page here.

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