Bob Jones drama takes SETC win, breaks own record
The cast of “The Standard Deviation” waits to take the stage at Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga. Bob Jones High School won “Best Play” for a record-setting third time. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – The Bob Jones High School Drama Department has topped its own record by winning first place for “Best Show” at the 66th annual Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC).
In addition, Bob Jones earned “Best Set” and “Best Costumes” awards. Students Maggie Moore and Kayla Peel were named to the “All-Star Cast.”
Bob Jones performed the one-act play, “The Standard Deviation,” during SETC on March 4-7 in Chattanooga. “Bob Jones is the only school to ever win ‘Best Show’ more than once,” Dwayne Craft said about Bob Jones’ third win.
Craft and Mary Davis are drama instructors at Bob Jones. Craft authored “The Standard Deviation.” “The plays were among the best I’ve seen in 20 years I have been attending SETC,” Craft said.
To win “Best Set,” Bob Jones’ crew built complex and very detailed structures. “According to the judges, the set served to reinforce aspects of the story,” Craft said. “Judges were impressed with the balance, intricacy and the subtle way it added to the concept without overpowering the action.”
Costume designer Shari Kingsford is an integral component of the directorial staff, Craft said. To start designs, Kingsford first considers the script and the show’s overall concept.
“I doubt seriously there’s a more talented costume designer in the entire Southeast than Shari Kingsford,” Craft said. “She has a magical way of integrating her designs into the heart of the play and offering suggestions.”
Maggie Moore (Jules) said, “Every single person in my supporting cast was completely dedicated to the world. This allowed Jules to live. The people of our world had complete lives as we all collaborated to create it.”
Moore, a sophomore, acknowledged the excellence of the entire drama team, costumers, actors and ‘techies.’ Her parents are Kevin and Mollie Bounds.
Kayla Peel (Ada Lovelace) credits her selection to “All-Star Cast” to “the support from a loving and hardworking cast. They created the world with me, and together we were able to become our characters.”
Peel is a senior. Her parents are Jeremy and Jennifer Peel.
