Examples of Excellence

Dr. Peter Senkbeil

Dr. Peter Senkbeil has received high accolades for his 2002-2003 school year production of Cabaret. The show's opening musical number, "Wilkommen," was one of 12 scenes selected from more than 200 college theatre productions in the southwestern United States for presentation at the 2003 Festival of Invitational Scenes, held on the campus of Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Concordia's Wilkommen was the opening number for the festival. This is the second consecutive year that Concordia University has been honored with an invitation to the festival of scenes; in February 2002, the cast of Agnes of God performed a scene at the festival held at California State University, Hayward.  

Dr. Senkbeil, professor of theatre and chair of Concordia's fine arts division, was recognized by the Kennedy Center as a recipient of their annual "Excellence in Theatre Education Award." The award recognizes faculty who go "beyond the call of duty" in devoting their time, efforts, talent, and energies on behalf of the students and is "an award that symbolizes that which represents the best in all educators." Since 2002, the Kennedy Center, sponsor of the American College Theater Festival, has given awards to Concordia for the productions of "Agnes of God" (2002), "Cabaret" (2003), and "Medea" (2004).

Dr. Herb Geisler

Dr. Herb Geisler serves as Professor of Music and Director of the Concert Handbell choir. Under his direction, Concert Handbells have toured through Europe, Asia, and much of the United States. A native of New York, Herb taught music in Hong Kong and Detroit before assuming a faculty role at Concordia College in Ann Arbor Michigan in 1979. Herb has served on the faculty at Concordia University, Irvine, since 1988 and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1990. 

Mic Shakelford

Mic Shakelford, resident faculty in theatre, presented at the 2003 Lutheran Educator's Conference on the topic of "Creative Dynamics." The presentation addressed methods to use drama in classrooms of all grade levels.

The Concordia theatre production of "Medea," directed by professor Mic Shackelford, was invited to the 2004 American College Theatre Festival for Region 8 held in San Bernardino. The Medea production is one of two full-length plays from the region and the only one from the state of California to be held for possible inclusion in the national festival to be held at the Kennedy Center in April.