Kilty Kane Award

The Kilty Kane Award is presented each year to a student leaving the program. The Kilty Kane is awarded in recognition of outstanding contributions to the University Theatre.

Jerome Kilty, an accomplished actor, writer and director in the American theatre, was the first guest artist to play a leading role in the newly built Murphy Hall in 1957. He played Falstaff in a production of Henry IV, Part 1, and this "kane" was brought from Scotland to be his personal prop for the production. When Mr. Kilty left, he asked that it be used to honor outstanding contributors to the production program.

The Kilty Kane bears the name of each recipient of the award and is used as a prop to open and close each Theatre & Dance season. A first-year student is selected out of the crowd at the annual Rally to tap the “kane” three times on the stage to open the season. At the end of the year, at the annual banquet, the recipient of the Kilty Kane closes the season in the same manner. 

The Kilty Kane Award is presented by nomination and vote of the faculty & staff.

Past Recipients