Players advance in competition

The Madison dramatists qualified to advance to SETC at the Walter S. Trumbauer Theatre Festival at the University of North Alabama on Dec. 1-3.

The Patriot Players at Bob Jones High School will represent the state of Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Competition (SETC) in March 2012 in Chattanooga, Tenn.

“It’s like winning the state championship in a sport,” drama teacher Mary Davis said.

The Madison dramatists qualified to advance to SETC at the Walter S. Trumbauer Theatre Festival at the University of North Alabama on Dec. 1-3. Their one-act play, “The Drowsy Professor,” was named “Best in Show” and will vie for regional honors among 10 states.

SETC is the largest and most active organization for regional theatre in the United States.

“‘The Drowsy Professor’ is funny with a very smart script,” Davis said. Drama teacher B. Dwayne Craft wrote the 43-minute play. “The play uses lots of literary devices and constant new action.”

Nineteen schools performed one-acts, seven had studio performances and 10 more schools brought only individual events. “At least 36 schools from around the state attended with over 2,500 students,” Davis said.

Bob Jones also won “Best Technical Production” for the most creative design within the required 10-foot square. “The color scheme always matches costumes. The ‘cool’ factor is a large projection screen with high-resolution projector, loaned by Sonshine Audio,” Davis said.

Throughout the show, graphics are displayed constantly — even an old-fashioned newsreel filmed professionally by Knight Video Productions.

The show’s lead, sophomore Olivia Skillern was selected to the All-Star Cast after winning Best Actress at the district level. Only one student per show qualifies for this cast.

More than 90 percent of Bob Jones’ individual acts earned superior ratings. Nineteen individual events won trophies.

Winning first-place honors were Zach Chandler and Danni Ori, reader’s theatre comedic; Lauren Payne, comedic monologue; and Brandon Mallette and Michael Herbek, classical dramatic duet.

Currently, 85 students will attend SETC, including the cast, crew and those auditioning for scholarships before Southeastern college adjudicators. Among several planned fundraisers, the drama department will present a benefit show in February.

For more information, visit SETC.com.