Carver, Eisenhower HS Theater Troupes Shine at State Thespian Festival, 21 Students Advance to Nationals
Texas Chapter honors student achievement in theater and enriches their educational experience.
Dallas, TX — Carver HS students Bishop Pearsall, Brianna Rodríguez, Aziza Robinson, and Jayla Rhodes formed part of the cast and crew that performed in the All-State Show, “Big Fish.”
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]T[/dropcap]he theater departments from Carver and Eisenhower High Schools have a lot to celebrate. The troupes from both campuses recently earned several awards and recognition.
The students competed at the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Texas State Thespian Festival before the midwinter break in Dallas. The Texas Thespians Chapter organizes the event.
Each year, the Texas State Festival gives students opportunities to perform and earn recognition. Activities include:
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Workshops[/li] [li]Main Stage performances [/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Play marathons[/li] [li]College auditions[/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Performance competitions[/li] [li]Technical competitions[/li][/ul]
[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Nationally acclaimed guest speakers[/li] [li]Opportunities to advance to the International Thespian Society National Festival[/li][/ul]
Carver magnet students Bishop Pearsall, Brianna Rodríguez, Aziza Robinson and Jayla Rhodes formed part of the cast and crew that performed in the All-State Show, “Big Fish.”
Catherine Ewing (center) in “Seussical” production.
More than 6,000 thespians from across the state watched the performance.
Big Fish is based on the Daniel Wallace novel. It is a new Broadway musical featuring music and lyrics by Tony nominee Andrew Lippa. Screenwriter John August adapted his movie into a Broadway musical. The public might remember the movie directed by Tim Burton.
The story centers on Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest. Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to have a child of his own, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. The production is filled with heart and humor.
While many students compete, others choose to focus on learning and developing their craft. According to Crystal Rose, five of her students chose not to compete. Instead they attended workshops. They worked on developing acting or technical theater skills. Rose is the theater director at Eisenhower High School.
“Aside from competition, the Festival offers hundreds of workshops for students. Professional theater educators and artists help teach and train the young thespians to develop their craft,” said Rose.
Kyle Ward
“This was our third year to attend the State Thespian Festival,” said Rose. “Every year the students are completely submerged in their growth process as a performer. It’s exciting to see their development. This is especially evident as we prepare for the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]UIL One-Act Play competition.“
The competition part of the festival is tough. But Carver and Eisenhower students shined. Kyle Ward was a Main Stage winner for his Solo Musical piece. He also got a chance to show off his talent in front of the entire thespian delegations. He performed “What Would I Do If I Could Feel” from the musical The Wiz.
Eisenhower’s Phillip Burton was also a Main Stage winner. Phillip competed in the Lone Star Talent Extravaganza event. He took home second place and a $250 prize for the Eisenhower troupe. Phillip got to perform his winning dramatic piece, Snapped by August Ashley. Phillip is the theater troupe president at Ike.
It’s a huge honor to perform on the Main Stage. The performances form part of the Festival’s closing ceremony. Only a few students get selected to take part.
“It was so thrilling to perform for more than 6,000 people. It was an experience that I will never forget,” said Phillip.
Selena Pointdexterbrown (left) in Eisenhower HS’ ‘ “Seussical” production.
Eisenhower HS students Catherine Ewing and Selena Pointdexterbrown received “Excellent” ratings for their solo musical performances. Kayla Williams earned an Excellent rating for her monologue. And Loc Nguyen obtained an Excellent rating for his short film, Voicemail. Loc, who competed against 60 other students, wrote, directed and filmed the film himself.
Based on their performance and scores, 21 students advanced to nationals.
Roshunda Jones and Jabari Collins pose for a picture during the Hall of Fame Reception.
Students Advancing to Nationals
Carver HS
Costume Design — Ahreaile Holly
Duet Acting — Kiera Prusmack & Bishop Pearsall
Solo Musical — Gerra Gistand
Solo Musical — Kyle Ward
Group Musical Theatre — Elysa Aguilar, Jaela Amos, Korrian Carr, Treat Carrier, Jazmyne Charles, Rmanie Davis, Yamir Ellis, Mykaelan Flournoy, Stephanie Landa, Jerycah Lee, Kasi McHenry, Je’Qwan Owens, Brianna Price & Brianna Rodríguez
Eisenhower HS
Monologue — Phillip Burton
Monologue — Anthony Pineda
Texas Thespians Honor Roshunda Jones
Roshunda Jones
Carver’s theater director also garnered recognition. During the Texas Thespian Hall of Fame Reception, Roshunda Jones received the 2015 Above and Beyond Award. The chapter honored Jones for her service to Texas Thespians. Jones currently serves as the Playworks/Musicalworks Chair and Co-Facilitator of the Student State Board for the festival.
“I love how educational theater is alive and well in Texas,” said Jones. “[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Theater education builds the whole student. The Thespian Festival is a great convention because it is student-centered. It truly is an unforgettable experience for students and teachers.”
Jones also lauded Jabari Collins. He is the theater technical director at Carver HS. The two have developed a solid [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]theater program at the magnet campus. The program has garnered [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Tommy Tune and [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]UIL One-Act Play awards.
Texas State Thespians also gives students an opportunity to take on leadership roles. Treat Carrier from Carver HS is currently serving as a State Thespian Officer. This is the student governing board for Texas Thespians.
Four Carver thespians auditioned for colleges. Seniors Ahreon Holly, Kassidy Fajardo, Kasi McHenry and Kyle Ward got the representatives’ attention. They received a combined total of 33 callbacks from major schools.
Students received callbacks from … Baylor, CAP21, Loyola University, Louisiana State, New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, New York Film Academy, Relativity School, Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and Savannah College of Art and Design
Students that attended the festival also got to hear from seasoned actors. The keynote speakers were Jenna Ushkowitz and Bobby Steggert. Ushkowitz is best known for her role in the Emmy-nominated Fox television series Glee. Before Glee, she was on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning production of Spring Awakening.
Catherine Ewing, Phillip Burton, Selena Pointdexterbrown, Anthony Pineda, Kayla Williams and Loc Nguyen (l-r) pose for a picture.
Steggert has starred in several Broadway plays and musicals including Ragtime and Mothers and Sons. He is a four-time Drama Desk Award nominee and the recipient of the Theater World Award. He has appeared in many productions at New York’s most prestigious theaters including Playwrights Horizon and Lincoln Center.
“State and national festivals are not only full of educational experiences,” said Kiera. “They are also full of life lessons. There is so much to take in like playwriting workshops to college auditions. The Thespian Festival is a great way to connect with new people. It is also a great opportunity to pick up fresh ideas for yourself and your theater troupe.
“There is never a dull moment at the Thespian Festival. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that you will never forget.”
Congratulations!
Carver High School made U.S. News & World Report‘s Best High Schools in the U.S. rankings. Carver, a magnet school, focuses on engineering, applied technology and the arts.
[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Eisenhower HS made U.S. News & World Report’s Best High Schools in the U.S. rankings. Eisenhower is also an International Baccalaureate World School.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
