Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University (Jax State) is proud to announce that Carolyn Conover, an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Film, has earned a distinguished nomination for The American Prize in Musical Theatre. Conover was recognized for her direction of *The SpongeBob Musical*, which was staged at Crossroads Repertory Theatre in Terre Haute, Indiana, this summer.
Established in 2010, The American Prize honors excellence in the performing arts, offering cash awards, professional adjudication, and recognition on regional, national, and international levels. The competition is renowned as the most comprehensive series of performing arts contests in the United States, acknowledging outstanding achievements in a variety of categories, including live performances.
Conover expressed her excitement about the nomination, stating, “Directing *SpongeBob* this summer at Crossroads Rep was such a fun and rewarding experience. I had a fabulous creative team and a cast with so much dedication and heart. What’s most exciting about this nomination is that it really celebrates the true collaborative spirit that is so central to making theatre.”
This nomination marks Conover’s first for The American Prize, highlighting her exceptional talent and dedication to the performing arts. Her directorial prowess was previously recognized when her production of *Noises Off* at Crossroads Rep was nominated for Broadway World – Midwest’s Best Play of the Year in 2023. These accolades solidify Conover’s reputation as a leading force in theatre direction.
Conover has been an integral part of Jax State’s Department of Theatre and Film, specializing in Acting and Directing. Her innovative and captivating productions have not only enriched the university’s cultural scene but also garnered significant recognition in the broader theatre community. This fall, she will return to Jax State to direct Sophie Treadwell’s 1928 expressionistic play, *Machinal*.
The American Prize in Musical Theater Performance celebrates and rewards the best performances of musical theater by producing companies, ensembles, and schools across America. It evaluates productions based on submitted recordings, focusing on the overall quality and execution of the performances rather than live competition.
As Jax State continues to celebrate this achievement, Conover’s nomination serves as an inspiring reminder of the dedication and creative excellence that thrive within the university’s Department of Theatre and Film.
