News and Media

Published: Feb 22, 2011

SAVANNAH, Georgia - Daniel Molina (B.F.A., performing arts student, Annapolis, Maryland) has won the Southeastern Regional Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival's Irene Ryan National Audition Award, beating out 200 other students. The prize is a $500 scholarship and a trip to the Kennedy Center in April to perform at the National Festival for a chance to win a variety of awards, scholarships and apprenticeships.

"This is a testament to the talent and hard work of our students and faculty," said Michael Wainstein, chair of the performing arts department. "Professor Vivian Majkowski took the lead, spending weeks preparing the actors. Every performing arts professor gave time to work with our students so by the time they performed, the preparation set them apart from the rest."

In addition to Molina's triumph, SCAD re-wrote the rulebook at the Southern Regionals. Molina's scene partner, Kelly Rogers (B.F.A., performing arts student, Shelby, North Carolina), was awarded the Classical Acting Award; an unprecedented tribute since Rogers was not a competitor. "Kelly is the first 'non-contestant' ever to win the honor," continues Wainstein. "The festival directors had to call the Kennedy Center to get permission to give Kelly the award. It was groundbreaking." Kelly will also head to D.C. for the National Festival.

SCAD performed so well at the regionals that Michael Legg, artistic associate at the Actor's Theater of Louisville, a theater company that offers one of the industry's leading internships, has added SCAD to the short list of schools he will visit to recruit talented students.

In April, Molina and Rogers will perform in front of a panel of leading artistic directors, actors, producers and casting agents. Two $3,000 Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships will be awarded, along with other prizes, including a scholarship and residency with the renowned Shaw Festival, an apprenticeship with the Williamstown Theatre Festival, and a fellowship working and travelling with the Shakespeare Theatre Company.

Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships have provided recognition, honor and financial assistance to outstanding student performers.