UCM Theatre and Dance student Danny Gage was recognized and awarded by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for his role in the virtual performance “Tilikum.” 

  Gage is a sophomore digital media production major with a minor in theatre at the University of Central Missouri. Gage had his first role at a young age when he played baby Jesus as a baby and has been acting ever since. 

  “It’s been a big passion ever since I could remember!” Gage said. “I’ve been acting for over a decade now.”

  Shanna Sinow, an alumna of UCM who majored in musical theatre, also co-starred in “Tilikum” with Gage and was also nominated for an award.

  “Danny is an amazing person,” Sinow said. “He will always check up on you if he notices something off, and this makes him awesome to work with as a person. He is also an amazing actor to work with because he really connects his performance with his emotions. It’s crazy easy to play off of him.”

  Sinow said she was also glad that Gage had been awarded by the KCACTF.

  “I am so proud of him for winning this award and I totally believe he deserves it,” Sinow said. “I am also very proud of the cast for our nomination as an ensemble, and it’s awesome to know that my and everyone else’s hard work paid off.

  “It is a huge honor and high achievement for Danny to be recognized on a national level for his acting achievements,” Ashley Miller-Scully, chair of the theater and dance department said. “We feel very lucky to have Danny in our program and are looking forward to seeing his continued growth and work on our stages throughout his time at UCM.”