Andrew Kirov from Gordon, WI and Kyle Olson from Cloquet, MN, both students at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, have been nominated for Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships in association with the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Kirov played the role of "Director" and Olson played "The Father" in University Theatre's fall production of "Six Characters in Search of an Author" at UW-Superior. They will now advance to the regional competition in southern Illinois in January, 2012.  If successful there, one or both will attend the festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Olson and Kirov will be joining UW-Superior students Meghan O'Toole-Gott and Daniel Harte, who were earlier nominated for the Irene Ryan scholarships for their work in the University Theatre's spring production, "The Odd Couple".  Both plays were entered with the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival as associate productions. As part of that association, a respondent visited the production and provided feedback.

The Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship awards scholarships to outstanding student performers at each regional level. Since 1972, the Irene Ryan Foundation has awarded 19 regional awards and two fellowships annually, made possible by the late Irene Ryan. The scholarships are awarded to the recipient's university to pay tuition and fees for further education.