Theatre AUM earns prestigious recognition from Kennedy Center
Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) theatre students and faculty recently celebrated earning an invite to perform Theatre AUM’s fall production of the play “RED” at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region IV conference in February 2025.
In addition to the invitation, KCACTF recognized Theatre AUM’s production of “RED” as one of the Top 5 distinguished productions in its Southeast region, which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Theatre AUM’s performance of “RED” will take place during KCACTF’s Region IV conference February 4-8 on the campuses of North Carolina A&T University and the University of North Carolina.
“This is a tremendous honor,” said Val Winkelman, Distinguished Research Professor of Theatre in AUM’s Department of Communication and Theatre. “We’re excited to perform at next year’s KCACTF and celebrate the collaboration, dedication, and hard work that this ensemble of emerging artists has demonstrated with the skills they have learned in the classroom, and further developed through ongoing experiential opportunities and mentorship throughout the academic year.”
Set in the 1950s and based on a series of real events, “RED” — written by American playwright John Logan and directed by Michael Krek — offers a compelling exploration of the evolving relationship between an artist and his creations. The play centers on a conversation between the real abstract expressionist Mark Rothko and his fictional assistant Ken. Rothko has just landed one of the biggest commissions of modern art: a series of large murals for New York’s famed Four Seasons Restaurant. Over two years, Rothko works feverishly with his young assistant, Ken, in his studio on the Bowery to complete the project. However, when Ken gains the confidence to challenge Rothko, the artist faces the agonizing possibility that his crowning achievement might also lead to his undoing.
Theatre AUM’s student ensemble for “RED” includes:
- Grace Brennan (Assistant Stage Manager/Props Manager)
- Tyreanna Causey (Sound Board Operator)
- Tara Laurel (Stage Manager)
- Dusti RW Levy (Dramaturg)
- Meadow Lokey (Understudy/Deck Crew)
- Atticus O’Banner (Understudy/Wardrobe)
- Sarah Paterson (Costume Design)
- Michael James Pritchard (Performer)
- Will Rouse (Light Board Operator)
- Aaron Rudnick (Lighting Design)
- Jay Russell (Performer)
- Tiara Staples (Sound Design)
- Ada Withers (Scenic Design, Scenic Charge Artist)
AUM theatre students have also been vetted to participate in individual conference events for Performance, Directing, Design, Dramaturgy, Technology and Stage Management. Students will present and exhibit their research and creative works, as well as gain further experiential opportunities during the event.
Theatre AUM’s performance of “RED” at the 2025 KCACTF Region IV conference will mark the sixth year that AUM has been invited to present its stage productions at the prestigious event. AUM’s strong tradition in stage production earned invitations to KCACTF in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2014 and 2018.
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theatre program that involves colleges and universities across the country. Since its inception, KCACTF has provided more than 400,000 college theatre students the opportunity to have their work critiqued and receive national recognition for excellence.
Watch a video of Theatre AUM students learning about the invitation.
