Butler Holds 34th Annual Spelvin Award Ceremony

El Dorado, Kan. – Students, faculty, staff, and friends gathered at the 34th annual Spelvin Awards ceremony on May 16.

Since the founding of the ceremony in 1985, the Spelvin Awards have not only celebrated the conclusion of each theatre season, they have also stood as an annual acknowledgment of the level of success and commitment achieved by theatre staff and students.

During the ceremony, theatre students, staff and patrons were able to voice their perspectives on the closing season. Bob Peterson, theatre department chair, spoke fondly of his experience, stating that his students were teachers “disguising themselves as students.”

Just as Peterson feels he had much to learn from his students this season, they in turn absorbed a great deal of knowledge from their experience working with him.

“Mr. Peterson taught me everything I know,” said Sophia Watkins of Emporia.

Friends, faculty, staff and students honored at the ceremony were welcomed by the evening’s host, Valerie Haring, art department chair. Haring, a frequent theatre attendee and avid supporter of the performing arts program, complimented the students' work, telling them, “I enjoy everything you do.”

From the first day they set foot on the stage, Butler’s theatre department welcomes new students with open arms. The familial environment experienced by students was commented on throughout the night. Students like Janett Duerksen of Valley Center, voiced appreciation over her experience in the theatre.

“When I got here, it clicked. Thanks for being the family I really didn’t have in high school,” said Duerksen.

During this emotion-filled event, the following honors were awarded:

·         Braden Layman (Andale High School, Andale, Kan.), Best Actor, Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Ashley Gorton (Andover High School, Andover, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Christopher Reardon (Andover High School, Andover, Kan.), Best Male Technician, Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Jenna Richardson (Andover High School, Andover, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Jacqueline Chacon Pinon (Rawlins County High School, Atwood, Kan.), Greg Bales Award, Best Stage Manager for “Being Frank,” Best Female Technician, Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Morgan Hailey (Bucklin High School, Bucklin, Kan.), Best Cameo Actress for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Matthias Doffing (Conway Springs High School, Conway Springs, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Courtnee Wisdom (Conway Springs High School, Conway Springs, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Sydney Gregor (Derby High School, Derby, Kan.), Best Female Newcomer Performance, Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,”     Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

·         Seth Knowles (El Dorado High School, El Dorado, Kan.), Best Supporting Actor for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Sophia Watkins (Emporia High School, Emporia, Kan.), Greg Bales Award, Best Actress for “The Importance of Being Earnest,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Levi Enegren (Goddard High School, Goddard, Kan.), Best Male Newcomer Performance, Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Matt Neises (Maize High School, Maize, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         McKayla Waltner (Moundridge High School, Moundridge, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Isaac Kuhlman (Oakley High School, Oakley, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Ryan Phelps (Clearwater High School, Peck, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Bayley Rogers (Pretty Prairie High School, Pretty Prairie, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Dakota Alvord (Flint Hills High School, Rosalia, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Donald Varner III (Russell High School – Russell, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Nathan Todd (Circle High School, Towanda Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Janett Duerksen (Valley Center High School, Valley Center, Kan.), Best Female Newcomer Technician

·         Kaitlyn Showalter (Valley Center High School, Valley Center, Kan.), Best Supporting Actress for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Emily Crow (Homeschool, Wichita, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Nathan Huyett (Wichita Heights High School, Wichita, Kan.), Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Nathan Bailey (Wichita Northeast Magnet High School, Wichita Kan.), Best Male Newcomer Technician, Best Running Crew – Running Crew from “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Alexander Appelhans (Saint Dominic High School, Wichita, Kan.), Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”

·         Derek Alcorn (Sunrise Christian Academy, Wichita, Kan.), Best Cameo Actor for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court,” Best Actor for “Being Frank,” Outstanding Acting Ensemble for “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court”