UCM Theatre & Dance Faculty, Students Receive Awards & Recognition at Region V American College Theatre Festival

Thirty-five students and four faculty members from the University of Central Missouri attended the festival in Minnesota.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Students and faculty from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance attended the Region V American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) in January, where they received multiple awards and recognitions for excellence in various areas of theatre and dance. This included a senior Musical Theatre major winning the prestigious Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition, a junior Digital Media Production major receiving an honorable mention for directing, and several students being cast in 10-minute plays or selected for intensive programs. UCM faculty also led workshops and panels at the festival.

Why it matters

The ACTF is a prestigious national event that provides valuable learning and networking opportunities for theatre and dance students. UCM's strong showing at the Region V festival highlights the quality of its performing arts programs and the success of its students and faculty in gaining recognition among their peers.

The details

At the festival, Hannah Vath, a senior Musical Theatre major, won the Region V Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition out of 300 students. Her scene partner, Theatre Performance senior John Plasencio, also won the Irene Ryan Outstanding Scene Partner award. Nathalia Cordero, a sophomore Theatre Performance major, won the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Fellowship. Kaia Trujillo, a junior Digital Media Production major, received an honorable mention for directing. Several other students were recognized for their performances, designs, and stage management work.

  • The Region V American College Theatre Festival took place January 18-24, 2026 in Rochester, Minnesota.
  • Hannah Vath and John Plasencio competed in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition during the festival.

The players

Hannah Vath

A senior Musical Theatre major at the University of Central Missouri who won the Region V Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship competition.

John Plasencio

A Theatre Performance senior at the University of Central Missouri who won the Irene Ryan Outstanding Scene Partner award and had his 10-minute play selected as a regional finalist.

Nathalia Cordero

A sophomore Theatre Performance major at the University of Central Missouri who won the ASPIRE Arts Leadership Fellowship for Region V.

Kaia Trujillo

A junior Digital Media Production major at the University of Central Missouri who received an honorable mention for directing in the Society of Directors and Choreographers (SDC) Fellowship Competition.

University of Central Missouri (UCM)

The university where the theatre and dance students and faculty are from.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

UCM's strong showing at the Region V American College Theatre Festival demonstrates the high caliber of its performing arts programs and the success of its students and faculty in gaining national recognition. The awards and accolades earned by UCM's theatre and dance students and faculty highlight the university's commitment to providing transformative educational experiences that prepare students for careers in the performing arts.