Awards

Theatre Outstanding Achievement Awards

Over the course of the season, faculty judges evaluate the students involved in each of the productions. In the areas of performance, design, technical direction, stage management, and directing. Judges vote on students who deserve to be singled out for their outstanding achievements.

The Audience Excellence Award is presented to a performer who consistently delivers performances that are hard to forget.

The Robert Edmond Jones Award is named after Robert Edmond Jones, the innovative American scenic designer who revolutionized the art of design. The annual award is presented to a student who embodies this spirit of collaboration, working tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure that each production is a success.

The Pioneer Players Award recognizes a tireless commitment to behind-the-scenes work which contributed significantly to the success of the production season.

The Lucy Duncan Award recognizes a student who exhibits a passion, love and commitment to theatre. Named after Lucy Duncan, the award’s first recipient, the award is given to a student who epitomizes theatre’s collaborative spirit by immersing themselves in theatre inside and outside the classroom and by volunteering and participating in both the performance and backstage aspects of the Pioneers Players productions and activities.

The Rookie of the Year Award is presented to a student who is new to Pioneer Players but who makes a significant impact in his or her first year. In recognition of outstanding participation, enthusiasm, and inspiring effort, this award is given to a student who takes initiative, learns skills and quickly puts them into practice, has a good attitude, and is consistently a hard worker.

The Outstanding Technical Theatre Effort Recognition (OTTER) Award, named for Travis "Otter" Ottelien, the award's first recipient, recognizes a non-major who makes a major impact through their tireless commitment to all backstage aspects of theatre productions. 

Irene Ryan Nominations
Every year, two of UW-Platteville theatre program’s productions are entries in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. An important part of the festival is the nomination of outstanding performers for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships. Each region of the festival awards scholarships to nominees who compete at the regional festivals.