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Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance is proud to announce that students and faculty were recognized for their work over the past year. Multiple nominations and awards were presented from the Cleveland Critics Circle 2023 Theatre Awards and the BroadwayWorld Cleveland 2023 Theatre Awards.

These significant achievements highlight the talent and dedication of the students, faculty, and staff involved. We celebrate this success and continue to inspire through outstanding performances and contributions to the world of theatre and dance.

Cleveland Critics Circle 2023 Theatre Awards

Best Musical Production
Honorable Mention: “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Performers–Musical
Honorable Mention: Madison Shannon, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Director-Musical
Honorable Mention: Terri Kent, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Choreographer
Honorable Mention: Martín Céspedes, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Lighting Design
Jakyung C. Seo, “Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein,” Cleveland Play House

Best Costume Design
Honorable Mention: Michelle Hunt Souza, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

BroadwayWorld Cleveland 2023 Theatre Awards

Best Musical Productions
“Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Actor – Musical
Tim Culver, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Porthouse Theatre

Best Actor – Non-Musical
Nicholas Bradley, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Actress – Musical
Madison Shannon, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Director – Musical
Terri Kent, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Choreographers
Martin Cespedes, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Porthouse Theatre
Martin Cespedes, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Musical Directors
Jen Korecki, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Costume Designers
Abbie Hagen, “The Marvelous Wonderettes,” Porthouse Theatre
Michelle Souza Hunt, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Best Lighting Designers
David Bruns, “Cabaret,” Kent State University
Jakyung Seo, “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”, Cleveland Play House

Best Scenic Designers
Gennie Neuman Lambert, “Cabaret,” Kent State University

Kent State University School of Theatre and Dance’s mainstage season will continue on February 16 with “Rent” by Johnathan Larson. Following “Rent” the Kent Dance Ensemble will perform “On the Cusp.” The season closes with “Everybody” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Tickets are available through the Performing Arts Box Office.

��è����Ƶ School of Theatre and Dance

The School of Theatre and Dance has comprehensive programs rooted in a professional culture that inspires students to train for the dynamic disciplines of theatre and dance as they transform their passion into their profession. When entering the Roe Green Center for the School of Theatre and Dance, students are embraced for who they are and surrounded by a community that supports their potential. Dedicated to creative excellence, we will provide opportunities that will challenge students to develop their meaningful purpose.

��è����Ƶ Porthouse Theatre

Since 1968, Porthouse Theatre has entertained scores of Northeast Ohio audiences and provided training opportunities for countless developing theatre artists. Every summer, more than 20,000 guests enjoy the Porthouse experience, picnicking with friends and family before enjoying a professional production in our comfortable 500-seat covered outdoor theatre.

Porthouse Theatre provides a unique training opportunity for actors, designers, technicians, and managers, working in the context of a professional producing theatre. They work side by side with established professionals to refine their skills and talents.

��è����Ƶ Cleveland Critics Circle

For more than 50 years, Cleveland Critics Circle (CCC) has provided support and recognition for professional theaters in our community and for the talented individuals who create and stage their productions. CCC members include local theater critics who write for print or online publishers, or who have established a distinct, credible, and consistent online presence for their reviews.

��è����Ƶ BroadwayWorld Cleveland 2023 Theatre Awards

BroadwayWorld-Cleveland each year recognizes local theaters, performances, writers, performers and technicians of plays staged by area professional theaters. Only plays that this reviewer saw, and were locally produced, are included in the citations.

Image: Madison Shannon as Sally Bowles in Kent State University's "Cabaret", photography by Bob Christy