KSU Actor Receives National Award

Congratulations to student John Stewart, who will be recognized nationally in Washington DC for his acting performance in KSU's production of Splittin’ the Raft. 

Stewart, a student in the Department of Theatre, Performance Studies & Dance, received the Outstanding Performance by an Actor award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his portrayal of Frederick Douglass/Jim. He will be recognized at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC during the national festival, which takes place April 17-21.

“Receiving an award like this is truly an honor and I am humbled to be among the individuals receiving it,” said Stewart, one of only four students across the country to receive the award.

Judges selected Stewart based on his February performance at the American College Theater Festival regionals at Daytona State College. The KSU production was one of six from a nine-state region invited to perform.

KSU Associate Professor Harrison Long directed the production. "Touring this play was both physically and emotionally taxing for the actors, and John emerged as a real leader, as the heart and soul of our acting ensemble,” Long said. “Few young actors have the emotional strength and maturity to lead in that way.”

Stewart will also participate in the master classes offered to the national finalists of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. “The opportunity to learn from some of the foremost individuals in my craft is both humbling and exhilarating,” Stewart said.

For a behind-the-scenes look at the production, watch the attached documentary directed by Josh Brook, edited by Geoff Brook, and produced by IHP.