Brahmas for the Win

Pierce Theatre reflects on their success in Vegas

LINDSEY WHITTAKER Reporter

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But for the Pierce College Theater Department, what happened in Vegas is just the beginning.

The Kennedy Center American College Theater

Festival IV National Irene Ryan

Acting competition in Las Vegas started out with about 300 college students across the Western United States in February.

By the end of the event, the semi-finals were down to 16 students.

Nine of them were Brahmas. Pierce actor Dale Van Slyke went on to the finals, while Tomas Ciriaco was selected as an alternative and Jordyn Kieffer achieved Honorable Mention for set design.

According to Theatre Arts professor Shaheen Vaaz, it was the first time in over two years that students were able to compete in-person.

“Everyone was very happy to be back together,” said Vaaz, who was also the co-director of the Irene Ryan competition. “Students were happy to be performing and participating live and I think that sort of dominated the festival.”

Typically, one student from each school makes it to the semi-