Ruby Duka, Colorado State University Theatre major (Jr. BA, Musical Theatre Concentration) won second place honors in sound design at the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) in Washington, D.C., April 21, 2024.

Each April the Kennedy Center welcomes 125 outstanding theatre students to the KCACTF National Festival. Student awardees in design, performance, directing, playwriting, stage management, dramaturgy, arts leadership, and theatre criticism, are invited from all eight Regions.

Duka said, “This was my first show I’ve ever designed, and I owe it all to the creative team and cast, especially Dr. Wesley Longacre, for this beautifully collaborative experience.”

Since the pandemic, this was the first year KCACTF implemented the lighting and sound practicum which allowed a collaborative design to be realized in a theatrical space in Washington, D.C. “Being in a room full of artists and seeing everyone’s interpretation of one scene was truly inspiring. Connecting with the other sound designers and seeing how we face similar experiences and are all passionate about sound designing only reinforced my love for this creative outlet,” Duka said.

Duka credits her peers and professors with her ability to expand on her artistic abilities. “My peers are so inspiring with their work ethic and dedication to their craft and my professors never fail at pushing me to grow as an artist. Being a performer not only allows me to understand the emotional arc of the overall story but allows me to dig deeper in analyzing characters’ motives and their internal/external conflicts that I can translate into musical underscoring,” Duka said.

From regionals to nationals, Duka’s empowerment grew with the recognition of her work and the award. Duka said, “Winning this award meant the world to me. It helped me recognize that sound designing is a feasible career for me to pursue.”

Join the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance in congratulating Ruby Duka on her KCACTF Sound Design award!