Cahill, Roberts nominated by Kennedy Center festival

Two theatre alumni from Bob Jones High School have earned accolades in an original musical at Troy University.

Senior theatre majors Colin Cahill and Robert McRae were nominated by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival for their work in “Bank Geeks!” by Tommy Newman and Gordon Greenberg.

Cahill was nominated for choreography, while McRae was recognized for his scenic design. Cahill also portrays Spitz, the trumpet player. Overall, “Band Geeks!” received eight nominations.

“Band Geeks!” pays musical tribute to marching bands and misfits everywhere with the misadventures of the Belleview High Marching Beavers. With few members and shrinking funds, the band faces extinction.

Cahill and McRae graduated from Bob Jones in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Cahill acknowledged leadership at Bob Jones from Doyle Thornton and Keith Anderson in band, Dwayne Craft and Mary Davis in drama and Randall Fields in voice “for shaping my acting, dancing and singing, which have pushed me into multiple nominations with the Kennedy Center and theatre jobs around the country.”

Cahill performed in numerous plays and with the Bob Jones and Discovery Middle School bands. “Choreographing the show allowed me to create a mix between the standard drill of marching band with the fun, quirky dancing of musical theatre,” Cahill said.

Roberts said Craft does two important actions for students: “He expects his students to display a lot of work ethic. He introduces students to college-level plays and doesn’t mess around much with ‘high school shows.'”

When Roberts designs a new show, “it’s an open slate. You don’t have any forerunners so there aren’t any expectations.”

Cahill’s parents are Kevin and Sherrie Cahill. McRae’s parents are Robin and Holly McRae.

On tour, “Bank Geeks!” stops include Davis Theatre in Montgomery on April 20 and Virginia Samford Theatre in Birmingham May 11-12. Visit troytheatre.org.

After graduation, Cahill will search for acting, choreography, directing or technical work nationwide. Roberts will work as a design intern at Lexington Children’s Theatre.