Salem State Theatre Students Win Multiple Awards at Regional College Theater Festival

Seven Salem State University theatre students won awards at the 2024 Region 1 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), which took place at Central Connecticut State University, January 28 -February 3, 2024. Awards were received in a range of competitions including acting, technical direction, stage direction, and stage management. KCACTF Region 1 includes colleges and universities based in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Northeast New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Salem State’s 2024 Region 1 KCACTF award recipients include:

Ian Tomarakos, ’25 of Medway is the Region 1 Finalist for the National Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. Tomarakos will go on to compete at the National KCACTF Festival in Washington DC in April.

Anya Saben, ’24 of Sterling is Region 1 Finalist Scene Partner and will compete at the National KCACTF Festival in Washington DC in April.

Mandi Clifford ’24 of Methuen is the Region 1 Finalist for the Stage Directors and Choreographers Directing Initiative Award and will compete at the National KCACTF Festival in Washington DC in April.

Cam Cottuli, ’24, of Dartmouth is the Region 1 Finalist for the KCACTF Excellence in Stage Management and will go on to compete at the  National KCACTF Festival in in Washington DC in April.

Connor Stamm, ’24 of Dedham is the Region 1 recipient of the USITT Award of Achievement in Technical Direction.      

Caroline Forbes, ’25 of Salem is the Region 1 first alternate for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship.

Sarah Jean Durning, '24 of North Andover  is the Region 1 second alternate for the  Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship and the recipient of the Region 1 Classical Acting Award.

Established in 1969, the KCACTF is a national theater program that recognizes and celebrates the “finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs” and involves 18,000 students annually. A leader and champion of the performing arts, “The KCACTF honors excellence of overall production and offers student artists individual recognition through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing, and design.”

Photo clockwise from top row left: Sarah Jean Durning, Connor Stamm, Caroline Forbes, Mandi Clifford, Ian Tomarakos, Cam Cottuli, and Anya Saben