Brad Dell, director of ISU Theatre and associate professor of theatre, will receive the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion at the Region 5 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in January 2019.
The Kennedy Center Gold Medallion is the most prestigious award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the greatest honors in educational theatre. According to the KCACTF website, the Gold Medallion “honors individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry, and enthusiasm to the development of KCACTF.”
Dell is the immediate past chair of KCACTF Region 5. He has also served as regional vice-chair, festival coordinator, workshop coordinator, arts leadership coordinator, and production respondent. In 2017, the Des Moines Convention and Visitor’s Bureau awarded him their Champion Award for bringing the festival to Des Moines in 2017 and 2018.
“Participating in KCACTF is one of the greatest joys of my life,” Dell said. “This amazing organization has given me the opportunity to grow as a leader, network with professionals, and interact with hundreds of passionate and amazing theatre students. KCACTF is all about the people. Many of the most important and impactful relationships in my life have been formed through my work with KCACTF.”
KCACTF is a national organization affiliated with the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The organization celebrates and encourages excellence in college and university theatre across the country. Region 5 includes colleges and universities in Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.