Bob Jones, James Clemens drama students claim awards at state festival

MADISON – Both acting troupes in Madison high schools advanced from district results to participate in the State Trumbauer Drama Festival.

Bob Jones and James Clemens competed with 19 other Alabama high schools on Dec. 2-4 at Troy State University.

Bob Jones’ “Eurydice” presentation won “Best Technical Production” and the coveted “Best in Show” honor (awarded to the top five troupes). Actors in leading roles, Morgan Butler, Ryland Segerson and Steven Rogers qualified for inclusion in the “All Star Cast.”

Bob Jones drama teachers Mary Davis and Jesse Tilton served as Director and Technical Director, respectively.

Students in advanced production class develop the one-act play. Before state competition, Patriot Players gave other performances, like school shows and a benefit night.

Senior Maelee Hamlett said performing for judges at Troy State University was vastly different from appearances in shows in Madison. “Although it gets super stressful, adding the audience makes the world that your character lives in that much more real,” Hamlett said. (Patriot Pages, bjhspatriotpages.com, Kaitlyn Inglis)

Along with the play, all levels of theatre — from beginning to production — competed in individual events or IEs such as monologues, dialogues and musical numbers. Many student’s IEs earned place finishes.

Several Bob Jones actors earned trophies in state competition:

* Jimena Sanchez – First place, drama monologue, varsity.

* Nick Lozano and Emma Amacher – First place, duet pantomime, intermediate.

* Maelee Hamlett and Liz Lockwood – Second place, dramatic dialogue, varsity.

* Lizzy Brady – Second place, classical comedic monologue, intermediate.

* Max Vandeberg and Nate Bryan – Third place, classical dramatic dialogue, varsity.

* Alia McGee — Third place, comedic monologue, varsity.

* Karsyn Whaley and Steven Rogers – Third place, dramatic dialogue, varsity.

* Malik Zeinelabdin and Robert Pierson – Third place, comedic reader’s theatre, novice.

While on the Troy campus, Bob Jones students took photo opportunities in the Troy Trojan Center and dining hall with numerous food options.

“I really enjoy the excitement and adrenaline that comes with Trumbauer. I also like hanging out with friends,” senior Andie D’Amico said. “Overall, the environment is warm and welcoming and perfect for Trumbauer.”

For its one-act play, James Clemens decided to present Lanford Wilson’s “The Rimers of Eldritch.”

James Clemens had 10 events that placed in the top first- or second-place in their category – five in first place and five in second place, drama teacher Amy Patel said. Patel served as Director for ‘Rimers.’ Technical Director Clint Merritt designed sets and guided students in construction and quick and efficient deployment during the show.

James Clemens drama students showed their acting and speech skills in varied categories:

* Brody Millsaps – First place, solo acting classical dramatic, novice.

* Romeo Grant —  Second, solo acting contemporary comedic, intermediate.

* Bryson Hewell and Autumn Tolbert – First, duet acting classical dramatic, novice.

* Natalie Meder and Alanna Swenson – Second, duet acting contemporary dramatic, novice.

* Elizabeth Swaine and Michaela Robinson – First, duet acting contemporary dramatic, intermediate.

* Landon Rendon and Alex Butler – Second, duet acting contemporary comedic, varsity.

* Carly Parker and Lee Bennett – Second, duet musical dramatic, varsity.

* Sadie Libby – First, playwriting, varsity.

* Madison McCleskey – Second, make-up design.

* Grace Hur, Lee Bennett, Sadie Libby,

Carly Parker, Savannah Sterling, Elizabeth Swaine – First, group acting.