Two School of Theatre students received top honors at the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival held during the spring in Washington, D.C.

Undergraduate theatre major Clayton Joyner of Springfield was named one of two national champions and is the recipient of an Irene Ryan National Acting Scholarship.

Joyner’s scene partner, graduate student Zachary Powell of Salina, Kansas, was named the winner of the Kingsley Colton Award for Outstanding Partner. Sponsored by the Actors Equity Association, the award provides a scholarship.

The national festival featured 16 finalists from eight regional theatre festival competitions held across the United States. Joyner and Powell advanced in a competition that included student actors from colleges and universities in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin.