May 7, 2024

Martyna Majok’s Ironbound, produced by Pierce College and directed by Christian Barillas, has won nine national awards at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival. After being showcased as one of the strongest productions in Region VIII, Barillas’ production was recognized among an even larger group at the National Conference in Washington, DC.

Region VIII is composed of dozens of colleges and universities across Arizona, Central and Southern California, Hawaii, Southern Nevada, Utah and Guam. Prior to ACTF’s National Conference, representatives from The Kennedy Center visit each of the eight Regional Conferences, where Ironbound had been remounted. In addition to performances showcasing the outstanding work of the region, each Regional Conference features a wide range of professional development opportunities in all areas of theater.

Below is a list of the national awards for Ironbound, which includes recognition to each of the individual ensemble members.

The Citizen Artist Award
The Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Awards recognize programs in higher education using theatrical production to promote long-term societal impact in artistic terms, encouraging empathetic exploration of the complex cultural and physical world, and advocating for justice on campus and throughout the world.

Distinguished Production of a Play
Los Angeles Pierce College

Distinguished Achievement in Direction of a Play
Christian Barillas, Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College

Outstanding Achievement in Performance
Olia Panasenko, Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College

Distinguished Achievement in Performance
Joshua Scott Gould, Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College
Kris Hernandez, Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College
Kayvan Shai, Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College

Distinguished Achievement in Performance and Production Ensemble
Ironbound, Los Angeles Pierce College

Outstanding Achievement in Costume Design
Eileen Gizienski, Ironbound, Pierce College