William Carey University theatre major Joey Roderick of Blue Ridge, Ga., recently won the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival national first place award for sound design.
Roderick designed, produced and created sound for the Carey theatre production "Scenes from Argonautika."
"I'm still in shock," said Roderick. "The caliber of competition on the national level was extremely high. I just felt lucky to win regionals. Going on to win the national tournament is a huge blessing in that I've been offered many opportunities for further education and possible employment opportunities when I graduate from Carey."
Tim Matheny, chair of the Carey theatre and communication department, said, "I am extremely excited for Joey and so proud of this recognition of his fine work. He is a valued member of the Carey Theatre family and I know that he will go on to great things."
Roderick did not originally come to Carey for sound design.
"Actually I had no idea that sound design existed until I came to Carey," said Roderick. "I was introduced to it my freshman year and I fell in love with it. I've been surrounded by music since I was a kid and would later record my own. I was always experimenting with sounds, so I felt very comfortable with this from the start."
Roderick's brother Michael is a Carey graduate. When Joey was looking for a university, his brother recommended the theatre program. After visiting for the first time, Joey "felt at home."
Roderick said, "Always be open to whatever God presents you with in life. Explore the doors He opens and use the abilities He has given you. I'm blessed beyond measure to have received my award and fellowship, but I wouldn't be here if I didn't take the opportunity given to me and put myself into it entirely."
Roderick's hard work helped him earn several prizes at the Kennedy Center including a two-week trip to Prague in the Czech Republic for an arts festival and a three-month summer intensive learning experience at the Eugene O'Neil Theatre Center in Waterford, Conn.
KCACTF hosts a series of state and national festivals for each of the eight regions that make up the United States. Mississippi competes in Region IV, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Adjudicators attend performances throughout the academic year. They may choose to nominate student designers from these shows to advance to regionals. Students then present samples of their works at the regional festivals and winners are selected based on their design work. The first place winners receive a trip to a week-long intensive workshop in their field of study in Washington, D.C.
Roderick is currently looking into employment and higher education opportunities.
"I plan to work after I graduate from Carey next year," said Roderick. "I believe real world experience in sound will benefit me most at this point in my life. I can then decide if graduate school is the right choice for me. That is ... unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse."