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Donnelly_Kathleen_2014In January, the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) will bestow its highest regional honor, the Gold Medallion, on University of Wisconsin Oshkosh professor Kathleen Donnelly for excellence in theatre education and service to the KCACTF.

KCACTF is a national theatre program involving 20,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide annually. Through regional festivals, colleges are able to showcase entered productions and celebrate the creative process; see one another’s work, and share experiences and insights within the community of theatre artists. Considered one of the great honors in theatre education and KCACTF’s most prestigious regional award, the Gold Medallion honors those who have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry, and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

“I am still overwhelmed with the idea of receiving this award. It is an honor to be recognized by my peers as someone who has impacted students through my teaching. I have enjoyed serving on the KCACTF selection and executive committee,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly first became enamored with theatre when volunteering backstage with the lighting design crew at SUNY Oneonta University in New York. Originally a math major, she changed majors to pursue a bachelor’s degree in speech and theatre. After receiving her MFA in theatre design from Northwestern University, Donnelly spent the next decade working professionally in New York where she taught and designed costumes, lights and sets for area theatre companies and universities.

Drawn to charm of UW Oshkosh and looking to settle down, Donnelly became the resident costume designer at UW Oshkosh in the fall of 1995. Today, in addition to costume designing, she also teaches courses in theatre design, costume construction, makeup and stage management. She is an active member of the Association for for Performing Arts and Entertainment Professionals (USITT), where she currently holds the position of vice commissioner of exhibits, expo and experience for the Costume Commission. She has also served on the board of directors and is past chair of the USITT Midwest Regional Section and was honored with the Founders Award in 2003.  She has also been an active participant in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Region III and most recently served as Chair of Design, Technology and Management.

Donnelly explained why she serves on the boards of these regional organizations: “I grew up surrounded by family members who seamlessly wove service into their lives. My father was a police officer and served as an advocate both locally and state wide with the New York state police conference. My mother was a banker and volunteered at community events and organizations like the American Club where she helped cook for their events. My service comes through my work as a teacher, I enjoy helping students discover the beauty they can bring to the world and their own lives through the art of theatre.”

Students past and present are thrilled for Donnelly and this recognition of her achievement

“Kathleen Donnelly truly helped me put my dreams and goals into perspective. My lifelong dream has always been to work in the theatre, so when I decided to pursue that dream, Donnelly was the first person I talked to here in the department. Before coming to UWO, I didn’t know how to sew and now I’m making full garments for our productions. Donnelly has given me so much confidence in my abilities and she has made me believe that I can be a costume designer just like her someday.” Cassidy Duquaine, a theatre design and technology major, said.

“Donnelly is an incredible teacher, wonderful mentor and is passionate about her art and her students. She taught me everything I know about sewing and costume construction, and if she can teach me to sew, she can teach anyone! She deserves this award, and I’m proud to be one of her costume shop kids,” said Sarah Gorski, a bachelor of arts theater graduate.

On Jan. 10-15, 2017, 11 UW Oshkosh students and two faculty will travel to the University of Indianapolis and Butler University to join the other 1,500 attendees from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan colleges. Along with receiving the Gold Medallion, Donnelly will be serving as a design respondent where she will critique and give feedback to students on their projects.

To see the work of UW Oshkosh students and faculty, attend one of the upcoming performances of 26 Pebbles written by Eric Ullola and directed by Richard Kalinoski, Feb. 2-4, 2017, in the Experimental Theatre, or Laughter on the 22nd Floor directed by Merlaine Angwall and running Mar. 2-5, 2017 in Fredric March Theatre.  Tickets may be purchased at the Fredric March Theatre box office during production week from noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and one hour before each performance.

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