Awaiting the judges' results, the cast of the University Resident Theatre Company's production of Dancing at Lughnasa is holding its breath in hopes it will be selected to perform at the American College Theater Festival XXIV.

The cast is vying to join Irene Ryan winners Jonathan Robinson and Steve Lyon and their partners Matthew Bretz and Gwyn Fawcett at the national convention in April at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

The festival -- a nationwide event sponsored by the Kennedy Center Corporate Fund, the U.S. Department of Education and Ryder System -- aims to recognize university and college theater productions. Final decisions about who will attend will be announced Feb. 28.

"I'd like to know," said Jessica Raab (graduate-acting), who played Rose in Dancing at Lughnasa. "I'm kind of on the edge of my seat. I'm trying not to think about it."

Judging the shows is a "fairly subjective process," said Lee Byron, URTC's general manager. The productions considered usually are not mainstream American theater, Byron said, adding that the production has a good chance.

"I think (Dancing at Lughnasa) is a very high-quality production," he said. "It has a strong cast and a well-written script."

Although the cast is not rehearsing collectively, members are still nursing their roles.

"I check in with my script once a week, and I look it over to stay in touch with my character," Raab said. "My hope is that I will find some more deeper levels in my character when I return to her."

Although anxious about performing at the national competition, Lyon said he is trying to consider it just another performance.

"I feel real privileged to act at the Kennedy Center," said Lyon, who, with Robinson, is competing for one of two $2,500 scholarships or a fellowship to attend the Chautauqua Theater School in New York.

But those who attend the national convention may be competing for more than scholarships, said Carole Brandt, head of Penn State's theatre arts department.

"The judges in Washington are casting directors from television and film and theater," Brandt said. "Often times, they are scouting for people and hire them right out of the competition."

Raab said she does not mind being scouted, but she would not want to perform just for them.

"I would love to get an agent out of this whole thing," Raab said. "That's not why I'm doing it, but it's an added plus."

The University also swept the awards in the regional design competitions. For her work in Our Country's Good, Dana Pinkston won the costume design award. Christopher Pickart won the scenic design and Daniel Walker won the lighting design award for their efforts in Quilt: A Musical Celebration.

"We're just very pleased that, across the board, we've done so well," Brandt said, adding she has never known a school to send so many students.

The regional design winners will also have their work judged in Washington, D.C. Two national winners in each catagory will visit New York to tour professional designers' studios and have their portfolios reviewed.