Theatre Faculty Member Recognized at Regional Festival

Kaja Dunn, assistant professor of acting in the Department of Theatre, recently had her directing work honored at the 49th annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region VIII in Mesa, Arizona.

The Region VIII Governing Board from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) selected a scene from her California production of As It Is In Heaven for inclusion in the Evening of Invited Scenes. Kaja was recognized and commended for outstanding work. This was one of ten scenes selected to participate in this mainstage production out of approximately 90 that were nominated.

The KCACTF, established in 1969, works to improve the quality of collegiate theatre across the United States. With participation of over 18,000 indiviauls and 600 academic institutions, the group aims to encourage, recognize, and celebrate the finest and most diverse work produced in university and college theater programs. Region VIII of the KCACTF is comprised of Arizona, Central and Southern California, Hawaii, Southern Nevada, and Utah.

Dunn has performed in over 40 shows and taught internationally. She was previously a Lecturer at California State University San Marcos and toured with Ya Tong Theatre in Taiwan. Other teaching credits include working with homeless and foster youth with Playwrights Project San Diego and as a teaching artist with Young Audiences. Her primary research focus is on using theatre to facilitate complex cultural conversation and people of color in theatre.