Top WT Theatre Students Recognized at Year-End Banquet

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — West Texas A&M University student actors and theater technicians recently were honored at a year-end ceremony.

The annual Branding Iron Theatre Awards on May 6 recognized students for their classroom work and their participation in the Department of Art, Theatre and Dance’s four theatrical productions in 2021-22: “You on the Moors Now,” “Monstersongs,” “As You Like It” and “The SpongeBob Musical.”

“This has been a challenging year in many ways, but we have overcome those challenges, as we always do in this program,” said Stephen Crandall, professor of theatre and outgoing department head. “We are happy to celebrate these students’ accomplishments and the dedication and artistry shown throughout the department.”

The overall achievement award winner was Joey Hill, a May 7 musical theatre graduate from Little Elm.

Other top award winners were Bella Walker, a May 7 theatre graduate from Melissa, for achievement in acting; Hayley Hurst, a May 7 musical theatre graduate from Melissa, for achievement in musical theatre; Ashley Peikert, a May 7 theatre education graduate from Frenship, for achievement in theatre education; Sarah Forsythe, a May 7 theatre graduate from Spring, for achievement in design and technology; Kendall Carnahan, a senior theatre major from Canyon, for the Treston Johnson Spirit Award; and Edgar Camarena, a junior theatre major from Amarillo, for the New Theatre Buff Award.

Photo: Branding Iron Theatre Award winners include Zane Wells, from left, Angellica Garcia, Sarah Forsythe, Kendall Carnahan, Sarah Olson, Darianna Rockholt, Lauren Landtroop, Bella Walker and Taylor Pritchett.

Performance and technical award winners include:

• Lead performance: Zane Wells, a May 7 theatre graduate from Amarillo, as SpongeBob SquarePants in “The SpongeBob Musical,” and Darianna Rockholt, a December theatre graduate from Amarillo, as Cathy in “You on the Moors Now”;
• Supporting Performance: Taylor Pritchett, a May 7 theatre graduate from Amarillo, as Jacques in “As You Like It,” and Lauren Landtroop, a May 7 musical theatre graduate from Frenship, as Squidward Q. Tentacles in “SpongeBob”;
• Featured Performer: Carnahan as Patchy the Pirate in “SpongeBob”; and Walker as Zanni in “As You Like It”;
• Props: Sarah Olson, a junior theatre education major from San Angelo, for “SpongeBob”;
• Hair and makeup: Angellica Garcia, a May 7 theatre graduate from San Antonio, for “SpongeBob”;
• Lighting: Daniel Loughran, a December theatre graduate from Iraan, for “Moors”;
• Costumes: Kayla Arnold, a December theatre graduate from Killeen, for “Moors”;
• Sound: Hill for “As You Like It”;
• Scenic design: Topanga Begnaud, a December theatre graduate from Canyon, for “Moors”; and
• Stage Management: Forsythe for “SpongeBob.”

Students inducted into theater honor society Alpha Psi Omega included Camarena; Hurst; Carnahan; Victoria Reyes, sophomore musical theatre major from Inez; Socorra Carrillo, May 7 musical theatre graduate from Amarillo; Signe Elder, sophomore musical theatre major from Lubbock; Brooklynn King, sophomore musical theatre major from Pearland; Caleb Martinez, junior musical theatre major from Seagraves; Jewell Schonhoff, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Elm; Natalie Davis, a senior theatre major from Canyon; Ray Barber, a sophomore musical theatre major from Conroe; and Angelica Pantoja, a junior theatre major from Abernathy.

Fostering an appreciation for the arts and engaging and retaining the best students are key components of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World .

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised about $110 million.

Top photo: Achievement award winners at the 2022 Branding Iron Theatre Awards included Bella Walker, from left, Kendall Carnahan, Hayley Hurst,Edgar Camarena, Sarah Forsythe and Joey Hill.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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