James Clemens claims state berth with ‘Radium Girls’

MADISON – Superior acting and technical expertise led to “Best in Show” for James Clemens’ production in the Trumbauer District I Drama Festival.

Their one-act play, “Radium Girls,” qualified to advance to state-level competition in the Walter J. Trumbauer Drama Festival at the University of North Alabama on Nov. 30 through Dec. 2.

James Clemens and hometown classmates at Bob Jones won both slots in District 1 to advance to the state festival.

The “Best Technical Show” award also went to Jets Tex (or James Clemens Technical Crew) and James Clemens Theatre. This honor recognizes the school with the most advanced and high quality use of diverse sets and their movement, lighting and sound.

“Jets Tex were proud of our LED lighting that backlit the windows,” drama teacher Clint Merritt said. “We were proud of our giant windows that helped to frame the action.”

Amy Patel is director and theatre teacher at James Clemens.

“Our set crew managed to transform the stage through 20 different scenes in a 45-minute time limit, so that was pretty amazing. We think our specialty makeup looked great along with some of our handmade costumes,” Merritt said. “Our prop crew did a great job for all the different scenes. Our sound and lighting crews also performed beautifully.”

In performance honors, Allison Helms was named “Best Actress” and Carrie Gormley earned the “Best Supporting Actress” title.

Numerous Technical Theatre students advanced to the state festival in Individual events or IEs:

* Costume Design – Varsity: Shelby Adams, Bri Harris, Kristen Keeler, Sarah Matar.

* Costume Design – Novice: Sarah Kate Woosley, Reema Matar, Jessica Kramer, Lauren Beck.

* Makeup Design – Varsity: Chamberlain Whited, Leatha Erikkson.

* Makeup Design – Novice: Denae Wojcik.

* Lighting Design – Varsity: Dylan Eberly, Emma Rigozzi.

* Lighting Design – Novice: Tyler Gentry, Ethan Blount.

* Scenic Design – Varsity: Kirstin Kroon (Blue).

* Scenic Design – Novice: Sierra Rose Aragon, Riley Powell.

“We’ll re-build some of our set pieces that gave us issues, touch up paint, alter costumes that had issues and continue building the makeup prosthetics that we use in the show,” Merritt said.

James Clemens students also will work on enhancing lighting to guarantee all actors are lit and special FX lighting is optimal. “We’ll try and develop some new ideas that might enhance our show at state,” Merritt said.

With “Radium Girls,” James Clemens is anticipating a chance to advance from the state contest as Alabama’s representative to Southeastern Theatre Conference convention in Mobile on March 7-11, 2018.