Midland University Shines at Theatre Festival

Students and faculty earn multiple honors at the Region 5 American College Theatre Festival

Feb. 2, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Midland University students and faculty recently earned a strong showing of awards and recognition at the Region 5 American College Theatre Festival in Rochester, Minnesota. This was Midland's fourth year attending the event, which brings together over 1,000 students from universities across the Midwest to compete in various theatre disciplines.

Why it matters

Midland University's growing success at the prestigious ACTF event demonstrates the strength of its theatre program and the caliber of its students and faculty. Earning recognition at this level helps raise the profile of the university's performing arts offerings and can attract more talented students to the program.

The details

Midland's production of Rent received multiple awards, including for Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Performance, Outstanding Projections, Outstanding Lighting, Outstanding Choreography, Outstanding Set Design, Outstanding Direction, and Outstanding Choreography. Several Midland students were also selected for elite festival presentations and the dance company, and one student received a scholarship to the prestigious Open Jar Institute in New York City.

  • Midland University has attended the Region 5 ACTF event for the past four years.
  • The 2026 Region 5 ACTF event took place in Rochester, Minnesota.

The players

Dan Hays

Director of Theatre Activities at Midland University.

Eli Cameron

Midland University student who received an Outstanding Performance award.

Devyn Hansen

Midland University student who received an Outstanding Projections award.

Zachary Otteman

Midland University student who received an Outstanding Lighting award.

Alexxus Taavola

Midland University student who received an Outstanding Choreography award and was selected for the festival dance company.

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What they’re saying

“Attending the ACTF has been a great event for our students. Not only do our students get to attend excellent workshops with industry professionals and faculty from all over the U.S., but they also get to see how we stand up to the other programs in our region.”

— Dan Hays, Director of Theatre Activities

“Over the last three years, we have had four mainstage shows adjudicated and have garnered over 25 awards. Our students have done well in all areas of technical arts and have had great successes in the area of musical theatre.”

— Dan Hays, Director of Theatre Activities

What’s next

Midland University plans to continue attending the Region 5 ACTF event in the coming years, aiming to build on its growing success and recognition in the regional theatre community.

The takeaway

Midland University's strong performance at the prestigious Region 5 American College Theatre Festival demonstrates the strength and quality of its theatre program, which is attracting talented students and faculty and raising the university's profile in the performing arts.