Arcadia University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts was well represented at the 2016 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre, a ceremony that honors a diverse selection of performers, artists, and theater companies in an effort to increase public awareness of Philadelphia’s performing arts community.

For their behind-the-scenes production work, Zack McKenna ’13 and Damien Figueras ’16 each received nominations for the Clear Sound Award for Outstanding Sound Design.  

McKenna, who studied media and philosophy at Arcadia, was recognized for The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, a Welsh drama that made its American debut with Inis Nua Theatre Company in April.

Figueras, a Theater Arts and English major, created original music and sound effects inspired by pop punk and anime genres for Azuka Theatre’s production of Moth. In preparation for his role, Figueras trained with sound designers and student actors in Arcadia’s Theater Arts program.

“I composed for Arcadia’s production of Eurydice, and got feedback on what was and wasn’t working,” said Figueras, who will serve as resident sound designer at Arcadia throughout the 2016-17 academic year. “My experience [with Eurydice] really gave me a sense of what it would be like to compose for theater once I left Arcadia.”

Additionally, several faculty who contribute to Arcadia’s productions were recognized at the ceremony: J. Alex Cordaro, stage combat instructor, was nominated for Outstanding Choreography/Movement in Theatre Exile’s Smoke; Greg Wood, adjunct professor of TV and Film Acting, received two Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play nominations for Interact Theatre Company’s The Nether and Passage Theatre’s White Guy on the Bus; and Kevin Glaccum, adjunct professor of Theater Arts, accepted the prestigious June and Steve Wolfson Award for an Evolving Theatre Company on behalf of Azuka Theatre, where he serves as artistic director.