Sterling College theatre students will attend the Region 5 Festival in January to compete for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships offered through the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Awarded to students who wish to pursue further education in theatre, the Irene Ryan scholarships join with The Festival in recognizing college and university students from across America for excellence in their craft through annual awards. The final winners will be announced April 22.

Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Nominees include:

Alyssa Hershey, of Wichita, Kansas, for “Oklahoma” and “Hedda Gabler”

Jordan Himes of Eureka, Kansas, for “Chess”

Katie O’Brien of Upland, California, for “Hedda Gabler”

Isaac Peña of Dodge City, Kansas, for “The Christians”

Courtney Swanson of Corona, California, for “The Christians”

Micah Watney of Sterling, Kansas, for “Oklahoma”

and Claire Zerull of North Richland Hills, Texas, for “The Christians.”

Supporting their peers by partnering with them in auditions for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Award will be Keith Erichsen of Garden City, Kansas; Kalie King of Corona, California; Mishelle Kulick of Lake Elsinore, California; and Cassidy Woodard of Abilene, Kansas.

The awards continue with Bryce Bassett and Dani Goldberg. Bassett of Goddard, Kansas, was recommended for the Certificate in Meritorious Achievement for his lighting and design. Goldberg of Corona, California, was also recommended for the Certificate in Meritorious Achievement for her work on the choreography.

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.