James Clemens’ ‘Radium Girls’ rates ‘Best in Show’ at state

MADISON – They did it again.

After earning “Best in Show” in district-level competition, James Clemens Theatre and Jets Tex (technical staff) again earned the “Best in Show” award for the one-act play, “Radium Girls,” at the state-level Walter J. Trumbauer Drama Festival.

The University of North Alabama hosted the state contest on Dec. 1-2.

“We also received the alternate slot to Southeastern Theatre Conference, which essentially means we placed third in the state with our show,” Jets technical director Clint Merritt said.

Amy Patel is director of James Clemens Theatre.

The plot of “Radium Girls” follows health hazards after Madame Curie’s discovery of radium in 1926. Radium, considered a miracle cure, was luminous, and the rage in the 1920s was to paint wristwatch dials with the glowing radium. However, girls who painted the watches became sick with a mysterious disease.

In other honors, Allison Helms and Alex Pharo were named to the All-Star Cast.

Numerous James Clemens students placed in the top three rankings for Individual Event (IE) awards at state Trumbauer:

* Jayda Russell — Solo Female Pantomime Varsity, first place.

* Christian Nesselrote and Sarah Arnsparger – Duet Acting, Contemporary Dramatic Varsity, first place.

* Brittney Quach and Heyden Pearson — Duet Acting, Contemporary Comedic Varsity, first place.

* Mary Einhorn and Kate McKay — Duet Acting, Classical Comedic Novice, first place.

* Josh Caudill — Playwriting Varsity, first place.

* Carrie Gormley and Heyden Pearson — Duet Reader’s Theatre, Comedic Varsity, second place.

* Allison Helms and Matthew Cole — Duet Acting, Classical Dramatic Varsity, second place.

* Abby Dobbs, Shelby Reece and Tori Sacarello — Group Acting Novice, second place.

* Brittney Quach — Solo Musical Female, Dramatic Varsity, second place.

* Andrew Pharo — Solo Musical Male, Comedic Varsity, second place.

* Sierra Rose Aragon — Scenic Design Novice, second place.

* Riley Powell — Scenic Design Novice, third place.

* Tyler Gentry — Lighting Design Novice, second place.

* Ethan Blount — Lighting Design Novice, third place.