The Charles Gilpin Players of the Theatre Arts Program at Prairie View were winners of awards in four categories at the Texas III, Kennedy Center/ American College Theatre Festival held on the campus of North Harris College, November 2-6, 2004. The Gilpin’s entry was BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE, and the categories and student winners were as follows: THE IRENE RYAN OUTSTANDING ACTING AWARD- three Gilpins won this prestigious award; the highest award can receive in acting… Roenia Thompson, Tierashia Manuel-Adair, and Christopher Fernandez. Winning this coveted honor automatically qualifies them to compete at the Region VI, Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival in March 2005 at the University of Arkansas.
EXCELLENCE IN ENSEMBLE ACTING- the entire cast of the powerful play BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE… Roenia Thompson, Tierashia Manuel-Adair, James Adair, Jessica Simpson, David Cid, Karina Balderas, Corlis Henderson, and Christopher Fernandez.
FIRST PLACE FOR SET LOAD IN- Prairie View’s Gilpin Players led by David Cid and Christopher Fernandez were rewarded for having the best set load in time of all the colleges participating in the Festival.
EXCELLENCE IN HONOR CREW- Eight members of the Gilpins’ Honor Crew were given special awards for rendering outstanding services during the set up and strike of all college productions…Kendrick Brown, David Cid, Bryan Ealey, Atseko Factor, Christopher Fernandez, Chris Lee, Omar Lewis, and Alfredo Morales.
The Gilpin Players’ performance of BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE received a sustained standing ovation from members of an audience made up of Regional Committee Members, directors, and competing casts. Several competing directors in describing the play used the words, “a very intelligent production,”
The Gilpin Players celebrated 75 years of theatre excellence in three phases this year. BEE-LUTHER-HATCHEE has added yet another reason to make this year memorable.