“I was not expecting to be a sound design finalist at ACTF regionals, much less win an award at the national level,” she says. “My mind is blown that professional designers actually enjoyed the music I wrote, and I am so encouraged by their recognition.”
At the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Lindsay Kuiper, a Dordt University senior secondary education major from Orange City, Iowa, placed first in the sound design category for her work in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” the spring 2022 mainstage production.
“Winning in the category of sound design in regionals earned me a ticket to Washington, D.C., where I competed among other winners from their regions,” explains Kuiper. “There are seven regions total, so there were only six other sound designers there.”
She spent April 19 – 22 in Washington, D.C. attending workshops and working collaboratively with other designers. “I made so many connections and learned a lot about being a professional in the world of theatre,” she says.
She also won a Recognition of Original Composition award at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Kennedy Center Family Theater on Friday, April 21.
“I was not expecting to be a sound design finalist at ACTF regionals, much less win an award at the national level,” she says. “My mind is blown that professional designers actually enjoyed the music I wrote, and I am so encouraged by their recognition.”
Kuiper says she has learned so much about career opportunities in theatre and has a new network of designers that she was able to connect with, which could help her jumpstart a career in theatre.
“After a few days of working alongside other college-aged designers and learning from professional designers, I was able to attend the awards ceremony to see the fruits of everyone’s labor,” she says. “It was about three hours long because there were so many things to celebrate!”
After Kuiper graduates in May, she will student teach in Indonesia for a semester. From there, she hopes to build her sound design portfolio as a hobby while teaching high school English. Someday, she would like to earn a master’s degree in composition.
“I love theatre because it lets me explore multiple facets,” she says. “I love to act, but there is something really special and, perhaps, overlooked about design. So much time is put into productions by designers and actors alike. Being in Washington, D.C. was so inspiring because the creativity of all designers was palpable. Theatre has given me a chance to express myself creatively in novel ways.”
About Dordt University
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
“When I found out about my generous scholarship and incredible research opportunity, I immediately texted my friends who had been praying for me over the matter,” he says. “They returned my messages with words of congratulations and praise. I’m joyful and feel very blessed about the opportunities waiting for me in Michigan.”
Here's where Dordt University was mentioned in the media and by news sources in April 11 - May 3.
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