ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University’s Professor of Theater and Theater Director, Daniel Yurgaitis received the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre’s (KCACTF) Festival 51 on Jan. 20, 2019.

Each year the eight KCACTF regions honor individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to teaching and producing of theater, as well as significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival. 

Said recipients have also demonstrated a strong commitment to the values and goals of KCACTF and to excellence in educational theater. It is the most prestigious regional award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the great honors in theater education. This year, KCACTF’s region five honored Yurgaitis along with several other recipients.

Yurgaitis has directed in theaters across the country and has been named Best Director of the Year by the Detroit Drama Critic's Awards. His work has also been honored by the Arizona Daily Star and RUMORS by the San Diego Union-Tribune. Yurgaitis’ choreography for Aberdeen Community Theatre's HONK was awarded at state, regional and national levels in the AACT one-act festival, and was presented at the International Children's Performing Arts Festival in Toyama, Japan to great acclaim.

Yurgaitis received his B.A. from DePaul University in Chicago and his MFA from United States International University in San Diego. He has been director of theater at Northern State University for the last 19 years and was selected as NSU's Educator of the Year in 2012. He has been artistic director for the past 14 seasons for NSU's professional summer theater, the Northern Fort Playhouse.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. Northern State recently announced its Educational Impact Campaign, with a goal of raising $55 million for a new South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, new athletic and recreation fields, and an on-campus regional sports complex. Once the campaign is complete, NSU will be the recipient of more than $100 million in privately funded building projects and scholarships within a decade. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.