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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2004
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124 Hill recognized as national sound
design winner at the
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
COLUMBUS, Miss. – Mississippi University for Women student Brian Hill of
West Point was recently selected as the Kennedy Center American College
Theatre Festival national sound design winner.
Hill, a senior music major, and Marianna Coffey, a junior art major of
Columbus, placed first in their respective categories at the American
College Theatre Festival in Birmingham, Ala., earlier this year.
After winning the regional award, Hill, along with seven other regional
winners, submitted their projects to an independent judge in New York
City. Hill was contacted by the judge for a telephone interview and
shortly after learned that he was the national sound design winner.
“It was a huge honor to win this award,” he said. “This is only the
second time the Kennedy Center has given out this award. It is nice to
know that your work is recognized nationwide.”
Preparation for the project began in August 2003, according to Hill.
“Many hours of hard work went into this complex project. I composed the
music and custom-made the sound effects for the performance. Each actor
had a sound or a composition just for them. The compositions were
performed live by Dr. Richard Bailey (MUW assistant professor of music)
and me. Professor (Peppy) Biddy incorporated us into the play as
characters. Our sounds were our characters.”
Hill was flown to Washington, D.C., to attend the National American
College Theatre Festival. While there, he attended workshops, toured
several theaters’ sound design departments and backstage areas and met
with designers of the Kennedy Center and Arena Theatre. In a ceremony,
he was presented to the entire festival as the winner.
Another part of his prize is an internship at the prestigious O’Neill
Theatre Center in Waterford, Conn., this summer.
Biddy, MUW professor and director of theater, said, “This is a well
deserved honor for Brian and for MUW theater. It has been a long time
coming, as our students have produced excellent works in the
competitions over the last few years.”
Hill is a senior and will graduate in December. He is the son of Lynwood
and Mary Ann Hill.
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