Great theater is about challenging perspectives and venturing into another individual’s life.
That is exactly what the award winning cast of June Bugs did as they delved into the life of five homeless drug addicts living in a park. June Bugs is an original piece, written by Corey Ranson, associate professor and director of theater activities, and was selected during the fall as a competition piece for the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Carthage, Texas.
A panel of directors then determined June Bugs should be performed at the KCACTF in front of more than 2,000 collegiate thespians at the Abilene Convention Center.
The hard work and dedication of the June Bugs cast was then showcased during the regional festival as they walked away with great recognition and several awards.
The cast of June Bugs excitedly received the KCACTF ASPIRE Arts Management Award granted to Ryan Duncan earning him an opportunity to advance to the finals in Washington DC.
Lexi LaCour was also recognized as one of the KCACTF Music Theater Initiative Finalists.The original play, June Bugs, also received an invited production plaque for their performance at the Regional Festival 51, and Ranson was awarded the most prestigious award given during the regional festival, the KCACTF Gold Medallion Award.
“The production made a big change from fall to spring. In fact, it was interesting to see how different the actors in June Bugs went back to the play after not doing it for a couple of months – that process, the rehearsing and performing is always very interesting to watch the transformation…it just means we got some recognition for what we do.
“They know we are a small program and I appreciate them a lot. It also bodes well on myself and the university for what we have done here. When we go to do a show, we know we must work harder than other schools, but we still put up great work,” said Ranson, director of June Bugs.
The play had been practiced for several months, giving its first performance last fall and once again during the spring in the Little Theater.
“I feel incredibly proud of the overall performance the cast of June Bugs displayed in Abilene at this year’s annual KCACTF tournament. The cast was mostly comprised of juniors and seniors who have worked on several plays together over the last few years and there was such genuine authenticity and strong connection with each other that truly made the stage feel like home.
“I think the biggest challenge we faced with this particular production was delving into the world of an addict… It is an actor’s dream to perform a character that has never been done before and bring it to life for the very first time. There are no previous performers who have ever done these roles so we were at complete liberty to make these characters our own,” said Lauren Hoefelmeyer, actress in June Bugs.
The KCACTF allows for professional and college theater to come together, and encourages students to engage in various aspects of theater such as productions, acting through workshops.
“Always a great experience going to KCACTF. It’s been years since TAMUK has been invited to present a show at the regional level and it was an honor to be part of the show. I’ve made friends that will last a lifetime and these festivals and shows I will never forget. There are workshops to attend and they all have helped me grow within the craft of theatre. I will always be grateful for the opportunities I have been given at KCACTF,” said Dylan Mendoza, actor in June Bugs.
The regional festival grants students the opportunity to grow and establish a sense of networking among professionals.
“To be completely honest, I’m still trying to wrap my head around everything. I still can’t really believe that I’ve been granted this opportunity, but I’m so excited. I’ve been trying to buckle down and make sure I have everything ready for this because I want to make as much out of this opportunity as possible. This play has propelled my future to say the least. Without this show I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to do what I’m doing in Arts Administration,” Duncan said.