For the second consecutive year, a Ball State student will be a finalist in the Irene Ryan Competition at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in Washington, D.C. Kyle Johnson, an Indianapolis resident majoring in theater, recently received a regional nomination and a $750 scholarship at the Region III Irene Ryan Acting Competition in Milwaukee, Wis. In 2006, Matt Renskers, a theater major from Fishers, became the first Ball State student to be a finalist.

"It is clear that Ball State's national reputation has grown exponentially over the past year by winning these honors," said Bill Jenkins, chair of Ball State's Department of Theatre and Dance. "By providing students with opportunities such as the American College Theatre Festival, we are creating artists who can make a difference and can successfully compete in the competitive fields of theatre and dance."

Johnson and his acting partner, Allison Miller, also from Indianapolis, will join 15 other students from across the nation in April. He was nominated for his work playing Trevor Graydon in Ball State's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in November.  

The scholarship began in 1972 by Irene Ryan, who is best remembered as Granny Clampett in "The Beverly Hillbillies." It is awarded to outstanding student performers at each of the KCACTF's eight regional festivals.

Through state, regional and national festivals, KCACTF allows students nationwide to see one another's work and share experiences and insights with others in the community of theater artists. The KCACTF honors excellence in production and recognizes individual student achievement through awards and scholarships in playwriting, acting, criticism, directing and design.

For more information about the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, visit www.kcactf.org.