Theater Studies Announces 2020 Awardees

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

“These annual, faculty-nominated awards are our department’s opportunity to acknowledge students who embody the creative, intellectual, and collaborative values we hold of paramount importance in Theater Studies,” says Chair, Jeff Storer. “These five undergraduates have distinguished themselves through hard work and dedication, and we wish them all the best for the future—and look forward to following their postgraduate work.” 
 

Adam Beskins
Adam Beskind

Harold Brody Award for Excellence in Musical Theater:
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.

Adam Beskind (B.A. Music; minor Theater Studies '20)
Hometown: Atlanta, GA

I’m extremely grateful to the Theater Studies faculty for selecting me for this award—a wonderful recognition of the wide range of musical theatre experiences that I’ve been fortunate to have had at Duke. From Hoof ’n’ Horn leadership and productions to Theater Studies classes to the Duke in New York program, I’ve been grateful for many opportunities to engage deeply in musical theatre over the past four years. This award will help greatly as I start my career in the performing arts and become a part of the Duke arts alumni network. I plan to move to New York City to pursue a career in music direction for musical theatre.

 

Meg Hancock
Meg Hancock

John M. Clum Distinguished Theater Studies Graduate Award: 
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. 

Meg Hancock (B.A. English; minors Theater Studies and German ’20)
Hometown: Paducah, Kentucky 

Receiving the John Clum Award is a very humbling and gratifying honor. Theater Studies has been a second home for me, and the professors have been wonderful mentors. It’s only because of the unconditional support I received from the department that I’ve had the courage to pursue creative projects. I’m thankful for the day I wandered into Dr. OJ’s ( Jules Odendahl-James) office as a freshman and told her that I wanted to learn more about dramaturgy. Through my work with Theater Studies, dramaturgy, or Duke Players, I feel as if I’ve been able to combine my interests in literature, performance, and education — all while working with other students who constantly impressed me with their kindness and creativity. To me, receiving this award means that I've made a positive impact during my time at Duke, which has always been my goal. And it means that I’m recommitted to being deeply involved in theater and the arts once I graduate.  

Every production I worked on, both for mainstage shows and Duke Players, was rewarding and educational in its own way, but I most enjoyed working on “As You Like It.” Working on Shakespeare is such a treat for a dramaturg because there is simultaneously so much material to research and very few limitations for your own interpretation of the text. Plus, it was engaging to talk to the cast about the development of each of their characters—not to mention the set and costumes were gorgeous. My parents and grandmother came to Durham to see the show, so that was also very special. 

I'll be attending Vanderbilt Law School in the fall as a Chancellor's Law Scholar. My ultimate career goal is to support arts education in public schools in the South. 

 

Valerie M
Valerie Muensterman

Reynolds Price Award: 
Recognizes a Duke undergraduate for the best original script for stage, screen, or television.

Valerie Muensterman (B.A. English; minor Theater Studies and Creative Writing ’20)
Hometown: Evansville, Indiana

I’m honored to receive this award for my senior thesis play, “The Roadkill Club,” which I had the pleasure of seeing produced this spring. I'm tremendously grateful to Professor Neal Bell, who advised me through many drafts, and to Professor Jody McAuliffe, who directed a beautiful production and taught me a great deal in the process; I'm likewise grateful to the cast and crew, whose hard work and creativity helped me see my writing anew, and to Theater Studies, who supported the production. This fall, I will begin my MFA in Playwriting at the University of Iowa.

 

Samantha Steger
Samantha Steger

Outstanding Acting Student Award: 
Recognizes a graduating senior who has distinguished him or herself in acting.

Samantha Steger (B.A. Theater Studies ’20)
Hometown: Falls Church, Virginia

When I first came to Duke, I didn't think I could make a career out of my passion for acting. So, I forced myself to focus instead on things that didn't make me happy. When I became involved with Theater Studies, I began to realize that theater may not have to be something I do ‘on the side.’ Over the years, the department has continued to support me and lift me up as a performer. This award says to me: You can do this.

I’ll never forget my time with the cast and crew of “Fefu and Her Friends.” Playing Paula was such an exciting and meaningful challenge. More important, though, were the friendships that I formed with everyone involved. I can only hope that future projects have that great sense of community. I'll be moving to New York City right after graduation in December and plan to audition primarily for television projects. It'll take a lot of time and effort, but I'm so excited for what's to come. 

 

Maria Zurita Ontiveros
Maria Zurita Ontiveros

Award for Excellence in Directing: 
Presented annually to an undergraduate for sustained excellence in directing for the stage.

Maria Zurita Ontiveros (B.A. Theater Studies and History ’21)
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico

I'm thankful to Theater Studies for all the help and training—and I'm thrilled and encouraged to keep pursuing what I love. I want to get an MFA in directing, and start my own theater company, and continue directing for the rest of my life. 

My greatest highlight so far has to be the Hoof'n'Horn production of “In the Heights,” which I directed last year. It was absolutely magical to be able to tell a story so connected to my own experience as a Latina living in the United States, showing the Latinx community not as victims of circumstance but as an incredibly vibrant and joyous community—and having the chance to hear Spanish onstage. It was a massive step in having more representation at Duke, and I was thrilled to have a chance to be at the forefront. I also loved my experiences directing “Title of Show” for Duke Players, assistant directing “Fefu and her Friends” (Zoom version) with the Department, and directing six new plays at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center over the summer.