CASTLETON, Vt. — Castleton College junior Christopher Belanger of Lewiston was recently recognized for his excellence in theater lighting as he was awarded the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas Award at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in January.

Nominated in early fall to represent Castleton College at the festival, Belanger was one of five recipients from across New England to be recognized for the award. Along with acknowledging his outstanding light design work from the Castleton Theater Department production of “A View from the Bridge,” the award also includes a one-week internship at the Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas.

“It was fantastic as a designer to be recognized for my work,” said Belanger, a theater arts major specializing in technical theater and design.

The Stagecraft Institute of Las Vegas is a first-of-its kind intensive training program for students from around the world to meet, learn from and network with leading experts in the live entertainment industry who are committed to sharing their experiences with the next generation.

Upon meeting Belanger, institute co-founder and director Jane Childs quickly recognized his glowing potential and desire to learn. She personally offered to extend his internship opportunity to a full month.

“I was in awe,” Belanger said.

Belanger plans to depart for his internship in July, returning to Vermont in early August. He vows to bring back to campus with him innovative industry techniques to apply in the Castleton Theater Department.

As he moves forward with his technical theater career, Belanger hopes his SILV experience will help set him apart from others. After graduation he plans to further his education by attending graduate school, working towards his dream job of working on the set of a Broadway theater.

“It’s something that most people only dream about,” said Belanger of his Broadway dreams, “Now, with this opportunity I’m getting, it seems like a definite possibility.”