CRESTVIEW — The Crestview High School Thespian troupe plans to wow state competition judges after an unprecedented nine “superior” scores at the district festival.
The superiors at the Jan. 7-9 International Thespian Society festival, held at Northwest Florida State College, were the first for Troupe 4428 since Jesse Hinton scored a superior and the Critics’ Choice Award at district in 2011.
The festival’s Critics’ Choice Award — and one of the superiors — went to a Crestview student. Senior Michael Brooks took the prizes for his original play, “Days of Our Flies.”
“It’s really clever,” troupe adviser and Crestview high drama teacher Annette Gebhardt said. “He researched the life of a fly. Their lifespan is really short, so there’s an urgency to get things done. The two main characters are named Dip and Tera because diptera is the Latin name of a fly.”
Freshman Emily Keiffer, who scored superior in Costume Construction, found her award-winning outfit for Hecat, queen of the witches in “MacBeth,” had a practical side.
“It was chilly the last night, so she didn’t have a jacket, so we suggested she wear Hecat’s cape, so she did,” Gebhardt said. “Tons and tons of people came up and said, ‘Where’d you get that?’ and she said, ‘I made it.” They thought that was really cool.”
Gebhardt called the troupe’s district performance “extraordinary,” adding, “A lot of the credit is due to the encouragement and organization of Thespian vice president, Riley Williames.”
The troupe now seeks donations to take most of the superior-awarded performances to state competition in Tampa in March. Fundraisers include a play festival at which playwriting superior scorers Michael and Zac Sticha’s works will receive public performance.
Additionally, the troupe will host the school’s annual “Bulldog Idol” talent competition next month, and will perform a spring musical May 6-8.
Crestview High School’s International Thespian Society Troupe 4428 scored these “superior” ratings during the Jan. 7-9 district festival at Northwest Florida State College:
●Critics’ Choice, playwriting: Michael Brooks, “Days of Our Flies”
●One-act play: “The Bad Seed,” starring Riley Williames, Megan Keiffer and Jolvin Mejias; Jessika Land, student director
●Pantomime: Brianna Rader, Rebekah Lee, Caleigh Smith, Mitchell Hutchinson, Emily Keiffer and Kerra Beasley for “Miss America,” written by Brianna
●Ensemble acting: Megan Keiffer, Amber Sticha and Emily Keiffer for “The Period Piece”
●Playwriting: Zac Stichar for his “Cell Blocked”
●Duet acting: Olivia Giannetti and Allie Howe for “Body Body”
●Duet acting: Jessika Land and Jayce Longman for “DMV Tyrant”
●Monologue: Jacob Smith for scenes from “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” and “Harvey”
●Costume Construction: Emily Keiffer for Hecat in “MacBeth”
CRESTVIEW'S DISTRICT THESPIAN FESTIVAL AWARDS
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview High Thespian troupers face state competition