Prairie View A&M University’s Charles Gilpin Players received numerous accolades and applause for their outstanding performances in the play “To Be Young, Gifted and Black.” As a result of their diligence and remarkable display of artistic prowess they won a record 20 awards for “theatre excellence” at the Texas IV, Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KC/ACTF) held at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. The Gilpin Players competed against theatre troupes from McNeese State University, Lake Charles, Louisiana; Abilene Christian University, Abilene,Texas ; Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, Texas, and the host school Sam Houston State.
The awards and awardees for theatre excellence were:
* Excellence in Directing- Gilpin Director C. Lee Turner.
* Excellence in Ensemble Performance- the entire cast.
* Excellence in the Creative Process- C. Lee Turner and the cast.
* Excellence in Movement/Mime Production- Darryl Thompson.
* Excellence in Stage Management- Ashley Oliver.
* Excellence in Stage Management – Tiffany Samuel.
* Excellence in Lighting Design- C. Lee Turner.
* Excellence in Acting- Ebony Burton.
THE COVETED IRENE RYAN REGIONAL NOMINEE ACTING
HONOR
* Outstanding Performance Award- Kendrick Brown
* Outstanding Performance Award – David Cid
* Outstanding Performance Award – Ebony Brown.
THE HONOR CREW EXCELLENCE SERVICE RECOGNITION HONORS
* Excellence in Honor Crew- Fernie Corrales.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – David Cid.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Bryan Ealey.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Omar Lewis.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Kendrick Brown.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Chris Lee.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Derrick Stokes.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Alfredo Morales.
* Excellence in Honor Crew – Emmanuel Bean.
This fall semester marked the 75th Anniversary for the Charles Gilpin Players at Prairie View A&M University. In addition to their recent success, the troupe won 13 theatre awards at the Texas State III at North Harris County College with the play, Bee Luther-Hatchee. The students have qualified for the Regional Festival that will be held in February 2005 at the University of Arkansas. The winners will advance to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in April.