San Bernardino Valley College students stole the show during the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Held in February at Cal State Fullerton, the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival gives participants the opportunity to perform and present their work in front of peers, showcasing their talents. 
 
"Entering our productions into KCACTF raises the bar for the students, and they rise to the occasion," Prof. Melinda Fogle said. "Being selected to participate in the festival is an honor and a wonderful opportunity. Students get to participate in workshops, attend productions, and compete, audition, and perform. They also vie for professional positions and training programs. Participating in KCACTF is a life-changing experience for these students, building the bridge between college and the professional world."   
 
Every year, SBVC enters each of its theatrical productions into the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. Respondents attend each show, and nominate students for acting and technical theater awards. For 2020, SBVC had five acting nominees compete in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions: Daniel Jimenez, Briana Navarro, David Reuben, Pacifique Kabanda, and Marlene Clara. Navarro was also selected as a costume design nominee, while Ana Perez was chosen to present in the Stage Management Fellowship competition. 
 
The acting nominees held auditions to pick their acting partners for the festival, and Alejandro Sotelo, Monica Hart, Alina Alvarez, and Isaias Valdez were selected. For the first time in SBVC history, two students were cast in one-act plays at the festival: Sotelo for Idiot, I'm Great and Hart for La Nortena. Hart, who received her associate's degree in theater arts from SBVC, also performed in a devised piece, which went on to win one of the festival's awards. 
 
"Being at KCACTF is always such a rewarding and enlightening experience," Hart said. "It gives me the opportunity to not only further explore my craft, but also surround myself with other individuals who share the same passion and support each other in it." 
 
Performing in a one-act play with just a few days to prepare was "challenging," Hart said. She had to connect with the character "and try to do justice by her and the playwright. I also had to form a bond with my co-stars, playwright, and director within that short amount of time."  
 
Her hard work paid off — Hart won the Best Actor in a One-Act Play for this region.  
 
"I was overjoyed for Monica," Fogle said. "Not only is Monica a talented actor, but also a hard worker and a true collaborator."   
 
The festival also led to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Perez, who while at the event auditioned for the Open Jar Institute. She recently found out she was selected to participate in the Open Jar Institute Broadway Intensive this summer, and will spend one week in New York City taking master classes and workshops with some of the Great White Way's most respected professionals. 
 
"This is an amazing accomplishment for Ana, as she is one of only 60 students, high school and college, worldwide chosen for the program," Fogle said. 
 
To pay for their trip to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, SBVC theater arts students fundraise throughout the year by selling concessions, attending television tapings, and hosting events on campus. They also received support from the Arts, Lectures, and Diversity Committee and the Students of the Arts Fund through the SBVC Foundation.  
 
"I would love it if every student that is interested in theatre had the opportunity to go to KCACTF at least once or twice in their college life," Hart said. "This festival can lead to multiple opportunities in the business, connections for when they want to go further in their chosen field, and so many fond memories with these friends who share this mutual love of the arts. These are memories that will last a lifetime."