Darius Autry & Rashaud Colbert shine at American College Theatre Festival

Clarke University student Darius Autry ‘20 was recognized and awarded a certificate for “Outstanding Achievement in Physical Combat and Scene Selection” at the recent American College Theatre Festival Region 5 Festival. The 2020 festival was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, January 19-24.

The Clarke University theatre program has a long history with the American College Theatre Festival. The program has been invited to tour its productions at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 5 Festival six times and was chosen as an alternate an additional six times. National and regional production awards have been won by students, faculty, and guest artists in the areas of Directing, Acting, Costume Design, Set Design, Lighting, Makeup, Sound, and Theatre Criticism. Additionally, the prestigious Kennedy Center Medallion of Honor was presented to Clarke University Professor Emerita Sr. Carol Blitgen for continued artistic excellence.

Darius Autry and his acting partner, Rashaud Colbert, qualified for the final round of the Irene Ryan acting scholarship audition competition. The preliminary round included 325 nominated competitors from the region; 66 of the 325 advanced to the semi-final round; 16 of the 66 advanced to the final round. Autry and Colbert were among the 16 finalists and their final presentation was in front of an audience of 1,500 students, faculty, and theater professionals.

Autry is a senior drama major from Tampa, Florida. Colbert is a junior business administration and sport management double major from Chicago, Illinois. Their performance included a monologue from Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson, a scene from Take Me Out by Richard Greenberg, and a scene from Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.  

“We are so proud of Darius and Rashaud for their dedication, artistry, and professionalism. Their performance in the final round was absolutely stunning and they superbly represented Clarke University in the scholarship competition,” said Joe Klinebriel, Clarke University Professor of Drama.

At the conclusion of the festival, Autry was recognized and awarded a certificate for “Outstanding Achievement in Physical Combat and Scene Selection.”