THE UTA HAGEN AWARD

presented and sponsored by the College of Fellows of the American Theatre

When I believe that there is a human being in action up there, in that moment, alive right there, then I get spellbound. When you really achieve that understanding of human beings, the ability to place yourselves in the shoes of another human being and reveal that life on stage is, to me, the ultimate experience.
            -Uta Hagen

Eligibility: The Uta Hagen Award recognizes female teachers of acting at the college or university level. 

Previous Awardees:

Kelly Eviston Quinnett, University of Idaho, 2019

Yesenia Garcia Herrington, Texas State University, 2022

Katherine LeRoy-Lawson, South Georgia State College, 2023

Preferences: Preference will be given to candidates who are distinguished as full- or part-time teachers of acting and distinguished as working actors. Preference will also be given to mid-career candidates. 

Nomination or Self-Nomination Procedure: Former or current students, or colleagues of the candidate should nominate the candidate with at least three letters or digital/video testimonials from colleagues and/or former or current students of the candidate and a CV, resume, or Playbill-style bio of the candidate. These letters or testimonials should include a description of:

• what distinguishes the candidate’s teaching of acting at the college or university level 
• what distinguishes the candidate’s career as an actor 
• a description of any awards or honors received by the candidate for the teaching of acting and from her career as an actor

The nomination package may also include any other material that describes the candidate’s career as a teacher of acting and as an actor

Submission Procedure: The nomination package should be sent to the College of Fellows of the American Theatre selection panel via UtaHagenAward@kennedy-center.org. 

Application Deadline: April 8, 2024

Selection Panel: The College of Fellows of the American Theatre selection panel shall consist of three members of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre and one member from HB Studio who will evaluate the nominated candidates. The panel will also consult with Gregg Henry, Artistic Director of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. The College of Fellows and HB Studio selection panel will select one teacher of acting at the college or university level as the recipient of the award to be announced, and potentially presented, in Washington, D.C. on April 25, 2024.

Uta Hagen Award: The College of Fellows of the American Theatre Uta Hagen Award, inaugurated in 2019 in celebration of the Uta Hagen centennial and the 2020 centennial of the women’s vote (a voice for all women), includes the following:

• A full scholarship from HB Studio to attend a one week Hagen Teacher Lab at HB Studio in New York City beginning on Sunday, August 4, 2024 through Friday August 10, 2024. Travel, lodging and a meal allowance will be provided. All nominees must be available to attend the Uta Hagen Teacher Lab in August 2024.

Special thanks and deep appreciation to Fellow Bonnie Nelson Schwartz for creating this award in collaboration with the College of Fellows and HB Studio in New York.