Jennifer Holcombe wins Kennedy Center Musical Theatre Award

February 9, 2011 - Jennifer Holcombe, a senior musical theatre major at Shorter University, recently won the Musical Theatre Award at the annual Region IV Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. The Musical Theatre Award is given to the student that performs the most impressive musical theatre scene at the competition.  This is the second year in a row that a Shorter University student has taken this award. Holcombe, a native of Fayetteville, Ga., is the daughter of Rick and Susan Holcombe.
    
 “Frankly, I was shocked to have made it to the finals of the Irene Ryan Competition, much less win the Musical Theatre Award,” Holcombe said. “My fantastic partner Levi Penley and I had so much fun performing and meeting other actors during the week. It was an enlightening experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and am very grateful for. I'm most thankful for the love and support from the students and faculty in the Shorter Theatre Department.”

Shorter theatre faculty members David Nisbet, Ben Reigel and Kathy Newman coached students on their packages prior to the competition. At Shorter, Holcombe studies voice with Dr. Matthew Hoch and theatre with Kathy Newman and coaches musical theatre repertoire with Julie Bearden.

 “I am not surprised that Jennifer won the musical theatre award,” said Nisbet, who serves as Shorter’s theatre department chair. “Beyond the innate talent, she possesses a drive to excel. I have directed Jennifer and found her bright, imaginative and eager to improve. She is a great example of the talent that lies in the Shorter University Theatre Department. We are all proud of her.”

Shorter sent a total of eight Irene Ryan Nominees to the competition: Siobhan Gale, Jennifer Holcombe, Kristina Kennedy, Chris Lewis, Elizabeth MacDonell, Katie Beth Stubbs, Elizabeth Telford, and Chris Vizurraga.

The Irene Ryan nominations were based on the students’ main stage productions performed at Shorter University. Shorter students competed in Region IV, which consisted of nine states and more than 250 students.

            
Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian University committed to excellence in education. Since 2003, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Shorter among the South’s best baccalaureate colleges. The University offers traditional bachelor’s degrees in 48 major areas as well as undergraduate degree programs for working adults, the Master of Business Administration, the Master of Arts in Leadership and the Master of Accountancy.  Online courses and degree programs are also available. For more information, visit www.shorter.edu.

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