Theater Studies Annual Awards

Six undergraduates celebrated for achievements in the discipline

The Department of Theater Studies at Duke University recently presented six undergraduates with awards celebrating ongoing achievements in the discipline.

Awards and recipients:

Harold Brody Award for Excellence in Musical Theater
awarded to Multy Oliver

Recognizes accomplishments in musical theater by students in the Department of Theater Studies, the Department of Music, or the student-run musical theater group Hoof 'n' Horn. The award was established by an alumnus with a deep affection for and appreciation of the art of musical theater. 

John M. Clum Distinguished Theater Studies Graduate Award
awarded to María Zurita Ontiveros

Awarded to a graduating senior who has made extraordinary contributions to the life of the department and who has exhibited outstanding personal and professional qualities. It’s named for the distinguished founder of the Duke University Program in Drama, now the Department of Theater Studies. 

Alex Cohen Award for Summer Initiatives in Theater
awarded to María Zurita Ontiveros

Funded by the Alex Cohen Endowment and the Department of Theater Studies, the award supports students' individual or group projects that have both educational value and artistic merit. 

Feldman Collaborator’s Award in memory of Kenneth Reardon
awarded to Ash Jeffers

Undergraduate recipients of this award demonstrate outstanding commitment and leadership in play writing; directing; scene, lighting, or costume design; choreography; or dramaturgy as well as demonstrated excellence in leveraging the power of theater as a collaborative art. Winners may use the award to attend high-level theater training, support summer theater projects, take an internship, or participate in other immersive theater experiences. 

Forlines Family Theater Studies Grant
awarded to María Zurita Ontiveros

Supports internships for undergraduates in professional theater settings and other co-curricular experiences for theater students. The combination of academic coursework and hands-on learning is a hallmark of Duke’s approach to theater studies. 

Dale B.J. Randall Award in Dramatic Literature
awarded to Alex Clifford

Recognizes outstanding achievement in the study of dramatic literature and is presented annually to the undergraduate student writing the best essay in a course in dramatic literature. 

Reynolds Price Award
awarded to Daniel Kim

Recognizes a Duke undergraduate for the best original script for stage, screen, or television. 

Award for Excellence in Design and Technical Theater
awarded to Ash Jeffers

Presented annually to an undergraduate for sustained excellence in design and technical theater. 

Award for Excellence in Directing
awarded to María Zurita Ontiveros

Presented annually to an undergraduate for sustained excellence in directing for the stage. 

Outstanding Acting Student Award
awarded to CJ Cruz

Recognizes a graduating senior who has distinguished him or herself in acting.