On Feb. 7th in Montgomery, Alabama, Roanoke College swept the award ceremony at this year’s annual Region 4
American College Theatre Festival; also known as “ACTF” for short. Three notable students in particular won astonishing
first place prizes in their respective categories, practically unheard of. This was a tiny department with a limited budget
against humongous universities with MFA programs across the entire southeast area of the country, and yet, Roanoke College managed to make a notable impression across them all.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing senior Kennedy Swineford, junior Bella Testerman, and junior Allison Dunnegan about their ACTF experience and theatric processes.
Senior Kennedy Swineford is a theatre major and screen studies minor with an endless passion for acting and singing. This superstar is the Musical Initiative Region 4 first place winner, beating out over 85 nominated contestants across the southeastern nation with a $1,000 prize. Here’s what she had to say in her recent interview:
Q: What were your first initial thoughts and feelings upon winning the MTI category? How would such a win impact your future?
“I was genuinely shocked. The competition is so steep, and we come from a relatively small program, so I was just happy to be included. Winning really did feel surreal. There’s no words to define the way I felt when it happened.
“I think in terms of my future, it’s really cool to say that I, without having a BFA degree, was able to compete at such a high level and hold my own against such talented competition.”
Q: What was your audition process to prepare for initial auditions, semifinals and finals? Were there any specific strategies you used?
“I selected material that I knew really well. With the timeline we have, it’s important to just pick material that you trust, and I knew I could sing at the drop of a hat; especially since once you’re at the festival, the time to warm up and prep is so minimal.
“I only had 15 minutes, maybe 30 to rehearse before each round of auditions, so selecting material that I trusted well enough to sing was my best option. Just know it might not be perfect, and that’s okay. So much of this career and this field is giving 100% of what you have that day.
“Some days it’s not your best, and others are, and you just have to be okay with what you give that day. In the end, musical theatre is for fun, not awards.”
Q: What’s your history/background with theatre and singing? How did it become your passion and career path?
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve been a singer.
“I don’t remember a time in my life before loving music. I started doing school plays when I was seven, then I took voice lessons when I was nine, and I’ve never stopped since.
“There was a time in high school when a lot of people were trying to talk me out of theatre as a career, and I almost became an English major. But I sat back, looked at my life, and realized there’s not a version of my world that doesn’t include theatre or music, and I wanted to live in a world where that was true. That’s when I made the decision to make it a career. I’m still in voice lessons, working on technique and furthering my ability to this day.”
Q: How did you go about picking your repertoire, such as “Astonishing”?
“There’s different things you look for in a rep book. I have a lot of different material, and they all serve a different purpose. For Astonishing, it’s a very common MTI song, and I recently performed it for Little Women. Everything else is a mix of, ‘is it fun to sing?’ Does it fit my voice? And does it show off a special skill?’ Not everyone can sing pop, rock, folk and so forth, so what songs show off your ability and personality?
“I have some stuff in my book that isn’t very marketable, but I love to sing it. And they can tell [judges] if you love to sing something. If you’re good at it, they kind of don’t care, because they want to see what you’re best at to the best of your ability.”
Q: How did your experience differ with this ACTF festival compared to years past?
“This year was really special. In years past, it has felt really competitive. Theatre as an industry can feel very competitive in general, like every man for himself.
“But this year everyone was so kind, supportive, lovely, and that made it just so fun! I also directed a ten minute play besides MTI, and that was a brand new experience that went really well with me. I had so much fun, and this festival was all about fun. In years before, it’s been so nervewracking, but this time around I didn’t feel that stress.”
Q: Did Roanoke College Theatre have an impact towards your growth as an actress? If so, what are some examples?
“Before coming here, I knew I was a good singer, however I did not think I was a good actor. At Roanoke, I’ve been able to be a part of straight plays where I’m forced to focus on my acting abilities. My confidence has really grown after that. I’m always going to be a singer first, but now I know I can really hold my own as an actor– and I’m just as good as that.
“I used to view singing as a crutch, thinking if I can show people I’m a good singer, they won’t fixate on my bad acting. But my mindset’s changed, now knowing my acting and singing go together and make me stronger. Theatre Roanoke has really helped me with that.”
Q: What are your next steps after such an accomplishment?
“I’m always auditioning. Always.
“I have an internship in Italy this summer, a costume designing internship at an opera. But I’m also looking into onstage jobs, really depending on looking towards where to live. I’m looking around for areas near theatres and such. I have to plan where I’m going geographically before I plan out where I move. Although, I’d love to make it to New York sooner than later.”
Q: If you could talk to your younger self, what advice/statements would you tell her?
“I’d tell her it’s going to be okay.
“I feel like I spent so much time trying to convince myself that I wanted to do something else, and I spent so much time focused on why I couldn’t make this my career. I let so many people tell me I couldn’t do it, and it took so long to unlearn all that and feel comfortable saying this [theatre] is what I’m doing with my life. I want her to know she’s good enough. I just won an award where I beat people who are in grad programs with fine arts degrees, and I’d tell her to just keep working hard and to know that she is strong and talented enough to make it. However, most importantly have fun! Don’t take life so seriously.”
Q: Any closing comments or people you’d like to thank?
“I’d like to thank both of my grandmas who drove me to voice lessons as a kid, and showed me my first musicals on VHS. If you have a dream that people think is crazy, it’s okay if you’re the only person to see it to the end. Just work hard and prove them wrong.”
Zachary Bayers
Editor-in-Chief
