Last week, UGA department of theatre and film students earned recognition at the Region IV American College Theater Festival across performance, playwriting and stage management competitions. Samara McKnight was named a Region IV Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Award runner-up, receiving a $500 prize. Bridget Blanchard was selected as a Region IV 2026 Regional Finalist for the Gary Garrison 10-Minute Playwriting Award for two original works, Bug Brain and The Rut. Myles Krachmann received a Region IV Stage Management Award for Outstanding Support of Intimacy Work for his work on UGA Theatre's production of John Proctor is the Villain.

Additional students advanced in competitive programming at the festival. Jenna Gubran and Aaron Coker were named semifinalists for the MTI Musical Theatre Initiative, which supports the development and recognition of emerging musical theatre performers.
The department was also represented through the invited Shelton Production, First Semester: A Musical by Wyn Alyse Thomas. The musical was performed Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Auburn University at Montgomery Theatre. The production featured a large student ensemble and creative team and was sponsored by faculty member John Patrick Bray, continuing the work’s multi-year trajectory of regional and national recognition.

UGA faculty contributed extensively to the festival’s educational and professional programming. Raife Baker and Jeff Sherwood led workshops for students from across the region, while Chelsea Taylor served as the Region IV Stage Management Coordinator. In that role, Taylor coordinated with 32 student stage managers from institutions across the Southeast and facilitated professional responses from industry practitioners Tracy Armagost of Santa Fe Opera and Liz Campbell of Alliance Theatre. Taylor also led three stage management workshops during the festival.

Collectively, the department’s post-festival outcomes reflect sustained student achievement, faculty mentorship and professional engagement within the American College Theatre Festival network. Congratulations to the students who participated in this year’s festival for their dedication, creativity and professionalism.