The American College Theatre Festival recognizes Lone Star College-Montgomery for Meritorious Achievement

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Lone Star College-Montgomery was honored by The American College Theatre Festival (ACTF) for its production of California. The ACTF is a national theatre program involving 18,000 students annually from colleges and universities across the country.

“This is a wonderfully deserved recognition,” said Michael Walsh, LSC-Montgomery Dean of Creative Arts and Education. “I so enjoyed the production and how intimate and focused it felt.”

California is full-length play from Trish Harnetiaux which tells the story of how a family road trip takes an unexpected turn on the plains of eastern Oregon when, in the dark of night, reality splits.

The performance earned Meritorious Achievement for Ensemble Work, as well as individual honors including Avorie Smith for Stage Management, Isaiah Brooks for Sound Design, and Chase Waites for Directing.

“California was also recognized as some of the best work in ACTF Region 6 and has been held for consideration as one of the featured productions at the Region 6 Festival in February,” said Chase Waites, LSC-Montgomery Department Chair of Theatre, Art, Humanities and Visual Communication. “I am so proud of the entire cast and crew whose tireless efforts made this performance a rousing success.”

In addition, LSC-Montgomery students William Sinclari, Aiyana Renner, and Lyndi Cotton were nominated for The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship. The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships provide recognition, honor, and financial assistance to outstanding student performers wishing to pursue further education.

The LSC-Montgomery Theatre department provides professional training experience for all students within the disciplines of acting, design and technology, and theatrical studies. Learn more by visiting LoneStar.edu/Drama-Dept-Montgomery.

“Theatre is a collaborative art form with equal importance given to all roles, both on stage and those behind the scenes,” said Waites. “We encourage all students to fully participate in all aspects of theatre production.”

With 100,000 students and counting, Lone Star College System provides transformational educational opportunities that help individuals get from where they are to where they want to be.

Under Chancellor Mario K. Castillo, J.D., the System’s priorities are guided by its strategic plan, which focuses on financial resilience, academic excellence, talent development and bridges to prosperity. Lone Star College System, recognized as a 2026 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by The Chronicle of Higher Education, has eight main campuses and more than 20 locations in the Houston area. Learn more at LoneStar.edu.