Vectorworks, Inc. has announced the winners of the 2025 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) regional design awards. Eight students were honored for their excellence in scenic and lighting design. Each recipient will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Vectorworks Spotlight software.
KCACTF is a national program that engages more than 18,000 students annually, providing opportunities for critique, skill development and national recognition. Since its founding, the festival has supported over 400,000 students and reached more than 16 million theatergoers across the U.S.
“We’re proud to celebrate this year’s award recipients, whose designs reflect a strong commitment to creativity, innovation and storytelling,” said Misti Bradford, national chair for Design, Technology and Management at KCACTF. “With support from partners like Vectorworks, our student designers gain access to the tools and mentorship they need to grow.”
“It’s an honor to celebrate the incredible talent and dedication of this year’s regional design award recipients, whose work exemplifies the passion, innovation and storytelling that continue to elevate the field of theater design,” said Misti Bradford, national chair for Design, Technology and Management at KCACTF. “At KCACTF, we’re committed to fostering an environment where student designers can grow, take creative risks and gain access to the tools and mentorship they need to succeed. We’re grateful for partners like Vectorworks who share that mission and help our students confidently step into their professional journeys.”
The 2025 regional award recipients are:
- Region 1: Kylie Tinker Palaia, Eurydice, Eastern Connecticut State University
- Region 2: Artemis Doyle, Time Stands Still (scenic design), SUNY Oswego
- Region 3: Park Socorro, Hair (lighting design), Columbia College Chicago
- Region 4: Aaron Rudnick, Red (lighting design), Auburn University at Montgomery
- Region 5: Megan Eaton, All in the Timing (lighting design), Culver-Stockton College
- Region 6: Lex Morgan, Imogen Says Nothing (lighting design), Sam Houston State University
- Region 7: Carlos Maricio Guiterrez, Everybody (lighting design), Colorado State University
- Region 8: Jami Kratz, Ada and the Engine (scenic design), Grand Canyon University
“Every year, we’re inspired by the creativity and dedication of student designers whose work shapes the industry’s future,” said Jennifer Hart, senior academic marketing specialist at Vectorworks. “We’re proud to support their journeys with access to professional tools and resources, and we look forward to seeing how they continue to innovate and lead in the design community.”
Vectorworks’ educational support includes free academic licenses, lab software, discounted professional subscriptions, and training resources through Vectorworks University.