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Barton theater students celebrate year's end
new slt inside-BCC theater awards
Lindsey Rojas sings a tune with the help of Tyler Wassenberg (top), CJ Bookout (bottom), David Burdett (right) and Matt Nolte (back). The back-up singers maintained their falsetto voices throughout the performance, which had the audience rolling with laughter. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

Barton Community College theater students who have been entertaining community members for the last year gathered for a year-end celebration Wednesday afternoon in the Shafer Art Gallery.
The students performed snippets of their work from various theatrical productions throughout the year. They also offered the audience some serious monologues along with plenty of humor through Almost Actors, an improvisational group.
Barton Theatre Director Erin Renard said 2011-12 has been a great year.
“I saw tremendous growth in my students’ acting skills and leadership qualities,” she said. “We put on a wide variety of works, and I was very happy with all the productions. The department has really taken off.”
Though Wednesday was the last chance for the community to turn out and say “thank you” for the year of entertainment, the theatre students will have one last hoorah with the annual tradition of spending a night in the theatre.
“They’re a very tight-knit group,” Renard said.
Two sophomores will be leaving Barton to continue their education. David Burdett will be venturing to Kansas State University, while Chelsey Gotchall plans to attend Fort Hays State University in the fall.
The following students received recognition for their efforts through the Barton Theatre Department during the last year:
MUSICAL
Best Male Actor: Scott Crist, Li’l Abner
Best Female Actor: Lindsey Rojas, Li’l Abner

NON-MUSICAL
Best Male Actor: CJ Bookout, Almost, Maine
Best Female Actor: Chelsey Gotchall, Almost, Maine

OVERALL
Best Supporting Female Actor: Carli Newkirk, Li’l Abner
Best Supporting Male Actor: Grady Bolding, Almost, Maine
Best Technical Award: Drew Reisner
Most Theatrical Growth Award (over two years): Joann Stacey, Beauty & the Beast; Almost, Maine; Li’l Abner
Most Original Work Award: David Burdett and Chelsey Gotchall, Romeo & Juliet… sort of
Best Faculty or Staff Cameo Award: Psychology Instructor Rick Bealer, Li’l Abner
Best Radio Ad: Lindsey Rohas and Scott Crist, Li’l Abner
Special Recognition: 2012 graduates David Burdett and Chelsey Gotchall