UNCA Students Earn National Title in Theatre Technology Olympics

UNC Asheville students were awarded the National Title at the national Theatre Technology Olympics held recently in Minneapolis. The UNCA student chapter is the oldest in the United States and consistently wins top honors at this annual competition.

UNCA fielded two teams in the competition. One team took first place and the national title for the third time. The winning team included Jenny Bowen, Jessica Kammerud, Johannes Pikel, Jenny Prather and Lachlen Smith. The second team, consisting of Don Engle, Mike Henning, Dennis Woods and Kate Yuhas, placed second.

UNCA students received other wards including the Top Technician, awarded to Dennis Woods with UNCA's Johannes Pikel claiming second place. Jenny Bowen took the knot tying title for the fourth consecutive year. Other individual award winner included Johannes Pikel and Dennis Woods.
The Tech Olympics is part of a national convention of the U.S. Institute of Theatre Technology (U.S.I.T.T.), attended by more than 3,000 students, faculty and other theater professionals. Competitions test the speed and accuracy of backstage skills - light hanging, properties shift, quick costume change, cut/saw/nail/, and Crosby and thimble, where competitors rig cable to hold scenery or actors.

For more information about the chapter and its activities, call the chapter advisor, Robert Bowen, Drama Department Chair, at 828/251-6611.

Media Contacts:

• Robert Bowen, Drama Department Chair, 828/251-6611
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526