JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Hunter Carpenter, a junior at University of Jamestown, won the award for Best Classical Acting Performer in the Semi-Final Round of the Irene Ryan Auditions competition at this year’s Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), Region 5.

Hunter was nominated to compete in the Irene Ryan Auditions due to his performance as the title character John Merrick in UJ’s production of The Elephant Man.

“Hunter’s versatility and intensity were the keys to advancing in the highly competitive process that is the Ryans,” said Michael McIntyre, Director of Theatre at UJ.

In the Irene Ryan Auditions, nominees prepare multiple scenes with partners and solo selections. 315 nominees from more than 80 colleges and universities competed in the preliminary round on Monday, January 22. Hunter, along with scene-partner ReeAnn Christianson, advanced to the semi-final round of 66 participants on Wednesday, January 24. All semi-finalists who chose to include classical work in their repertoire were eligible. Hunter and ReeAnn’s winning performance was from The Learned Ladies by Moliere.

McIntyre continued, “Receiving the classical award is a very impressive honor not only for Hunter, but for ReeAnn, too, as his scene partner.”

KCACTF Region 5 encompasses North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri. Awards were presented on Friday at the festival’s recognition ceremony in Des Moines, Iowa.