When Amanda Keeton transferred to Wichita State from Coffeyville Community College, she had no idea that in just a few years she would be designing costumes that will take her to Washington, D.C. 

The senior won the Costume Design division of the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival this January. Keeton’s costume work on last semester’s production of “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” won the prize. She’s the third WSU student to win the award in Costume Design.

WSU was well represented, and students brought home a myriad of awards. Maddie Nevins won second place for her set design for the same play, and Brady Flock was honored for his work with “Fleeing Blue.”

“I didn’t have any expectation that we would have so many students do so well,” said Program Director of Theatre Bret Jones. Keeton will travel to Washington, D.C. in April to present her work.

”I am terrified,” she said. “It’s really scary because I’m missing a week of class.” 

Keeton’s presentation caught the judges’ eyes for her background research and eye for detail in the costumes themselves. She said she wanted to create a period look that felt natural for the actors. 

The regional festival stretched through the third week of January, offering students a variety of workshops by regional faculty, including a session on designing clown costumes and sketching. Acting students also competed, with students Aaron Crave, Melissa Hudson and Damian Padilla making the semifinals.

Costume shop manager Rebecca Maholland said Keeton sets an example for younger students of how hard work and a positive attitude pay off.

“She works hard and she’s willing to get in and tackle pretty much any project we give her,” Maholland said. “I think she’s learned that she has a lot of hidden talents.”