TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- A group of 12 talented students from The University of Alabama department of theatre and dance recently participated in the Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival with one UA student taking a top award.

UA senior Jackie Hadwin of Madison received the Alcone Makeup Award for her designs in UA’s fall production of “The Miss Firecracker Contest.”

The regional competition was held at Clemson University and this marks the third year in a row that a student from UA has won the Alcone honor.

“Winning this award is important to me,” Hadwin said. “I've never really won anything before -- at least not an award that is this big. It feels good to win something that you know you poured your blood, sweat and tears into.”

On April 8, winners from each of the eight regions represented in the KCACTF, including Hadwin, will travel to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., to attend the national festival. There, they will participate in workshops and present their work at the event.

“The University of Alabama continually has a strong showing in the competitions,” said Donna Meester, UA assistant professor of theatre and resident costume designer. “It is especially rewarding that a top award went to an undergraduate. Jackie not only worked hard on her designs for “The Miss Firecracker Contest,” but on her presentation for KCACTF as well. It is exciting to see such a dedicated student recognized in such a way.”

Among the 12 UA students competing in the regional event, several participated in SETC/David Weiss competitions for costume and set design, two competed in the Irene Ryan acting competition, and one student in the stage management mentoring project. All students participated in an array of workshops for acting and design.

In addition to Hadwin, the students included:

Alice Aycock of Jasper

Diane Barnard of Auburn

Darin Cabot of Las Cruces, N.M.

Karina Croskrey of Stockton, Calif.

Emma Cullimore of Columbia, Mo.

Bonnie Decker of Mobile

Murdock Lucas of Greenville, S.C.

Heather Newman from a military family

Danielle Reaves of Heflin

Stesha Ross of New Market

Haley Wells of Huntsville

A UA faculty member was also recognized. Thomas Adkins, UA director of the theatre management program for the department of theatre and dance, received the Outstanding Teaching Artist for Arts Administration award.

For more information on the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, contact Meester at 205/348-9032, dmeester@as.ua.edu.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.