The Senior Thespians — known collectively as Troupe 3814 – participated in the District Thirteen Thespian Festival Dec. 10. Held at Nova Southeastern University High School, the festival hosted twenty-three troupes from schools across the county. Troupe 3814 participated in fifteen of the festival’s eighteen events, taking home nine Critics’ Choice awards and three Honorable Mentions.The troupe’s rendition of “Hello,” an ensemble song from The Book of Mormon, received the District Representative award along with the honor to serve as their district’s exemplary routine at the upcoming state competition.
The troupe’s awarded performances are as follows.
Critics’ Choice:
- Jessi Kaplan – Solo Musical Theatre
- Diane Li – Solo Musical Theatre
- Diane Li – Monologue
- Christopher Moody, Katie Sheahan – Duet Acting
- Emma Ferguson, Shea Korman – Duet Musical Theatre
- Luken Aldazabal, Nicholas Gall, Sebastian Gomez, Justin Gulbranson, Nandu Kuttiyil, Jaden Mantis, Christopher Moody, Ryan Pippin-Mesa, Nathan Rothbard , Jack Ryan, Gabriel Salazar, Matthew Squeri, Daniel Wilets – Large Group Musical Theatre
- Damien Ellowitz – Scene Design
- Emma Kolb – Make-Up Design
- Peyton Barnett – Scene Design
Honorable Mention:
- Sophie Simon – Monologue
- Sarah Brown, Diane Li, Nicholas Gall, Ryan Pippin-Mesa – Small Group Musical Theatre
- Jadyn Jacobson – Costume Design
“We got an unbelievable amount of Critics’ Choices, honorable mentions and superior ratings,” freshman Joshua McMurray said. “Although it was a bit stressful, it was an amazing experience during which I made friends and bonded with the ones I already have.”
Select members of the troupe will compete at the State Thespians Festival starting March 18. This festival will be held in Tampa for 4 days.
