Carver HS Theater Recaps Summer of Awards; Juilliard and Broadway Opportunities

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Carver High School drama students Cody Dixon and Trysten Williams received the Thespy Award in duet acting at the International Thespian Festival. Trysten also received a $6,000 Grace Kelly Scholarship.

Theater students at Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology, and The Arts keep demonstrating their talent and the successful drama program at the magnet school. 

Cody Dixon and Trysten Williams received the Thespy Award in duet acting at the International Thespian Festival competition. The International Thespian Festival is the nation’s premier high school theatre event. Typically, the event Lincoln, Nebraska. Due to the pandemic, the competition, performances, and auditions took place online.

Thespians submitted virtual performances or presentations in their categories and were scored by a panel of adjudicators. They are judged in acting in five categories: transitions, characterizations, voice, movement/staging, and execution, with a 1-4 score point range in each category. Superior ratings are the highest score thespians can receive at nationals, followed by Excellent, Good, and Fair. Earning Superior ratings required the young performers to score between 18-20 points.

Two Carver HS students — Cody Dixon and Trysten Williams —earned the highest accolade: the Thespy Awards. Cody and Trysten were among the few students across the U.S. and the country of Saipan that earned the coveted honor. This is the second year in a row that the duo receives the award in duet acting.

Trysten also received the $6,000 Grace Kelly Scholarship, awarded to 10 top scorers representing the highest level of achievement and promise for high school theatre makers and performers. Each year, five $6,000 scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors for their college education plus internship stipend and mentor and five $1,000 training scholarships to underclassmen.

Carver HS directors and drama students support Emma Montiel, and Cheyenne Bumper received the Heather Headley Scholarship, who worked with Broadway professionals in the summer intensive.

Below are additional distinctions earned by Carver students:

Thespy Finalists Group Acting
Ryan Randolph, Courtney Neal & Alton Nealey

Superior Ratings
Duet Acting — Cody Dixon & Trysten Williams
Group Acting — Courtney Neal,  Alton Nealey & Ryan Randolph 
Duet Musical — Jocelyn Dorsey & Kaleb Womack
Lighting Design — Jason Chávez

Excellent Ratings
Group Musical — Morgan Childs, Trinity Gaddie & Demiah Williams
Scenic Design — Jaden Smith
Solo Musical — Francean Houngbo & Emma Montiel
Theatre Marketing — Amare’on Reyna

4th Wall Theatre Summer Shakes Showcase

Camron Lettries and Takera Swain pose with Jabari Collins, Carver HS technical director. Camron and Takera performed with Juilliard drama students during its inaugural Summer Shakes Showcase.

Camron Lettries and Takera Swain auditioned for and were among the 10-Houston-based high school actors to perform with The Juilliard School drama students during its inaugural Summer Shakes Showcase actor training mentorship program with the 4th Wall Theatre in July. In four weeks of rigorous Shakespearean study, training, and, ultimately, performance. Summer Shakes connected the young actors with acting students from the Juilliard Drama School. Philip Lehl, Co-Artistic Director of 4th Wall and alumnus of Juilliard, served as the program director and teacher and shared his “Verse Technique” of Shakespearean performance with the program’s participants.

The program ran from June 28-July 25. During the first week of the program, Lehl and the Juilliard students cast the participants in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It.” Weeks two and three were used to rehearse the play, and during week four, both the high school and Juilliard students put on four public performances of “As You Like It” in 4th Wall Theatre’s professional studio space.

No other theatre education program in the city integrates the three core participants in 4th Wall’s Summer Program: local high school students, advanced conservatory students, and a master teacher.

Weeklong Intensive Scholarship
Emma Montiel and Cheyenne Bumper received the Heather Headley Arts Advancement Scholarship Fund, dedicated to the legacy of the Tony® and Grammy® Award-winning artist, which helps provide access to performing arts education for all. Nearly 50% of all Broadway Dreams students receive full or partial need-based financial scholarships, reflecting a commitment to healthy, empowering artistic expression, regardless of socioeconomic status. In July, Emma and Cheyenne participated in the summer intensive and worked with Broadway professionals.

Texas Thespians Honor Troupe
The Carver Panther Players Troupe #6753 received the Texas Thespians Honor Troupe distinction. The honor recognizes troupes for the tremendous work they do, both on and off stage, in their school and communities. Troupes around Texas participate each year in both Leadership Days and the Texas Thespian Leadership Academy. To be considered for the honor, troupes submit evidence of growth through community outreach, troupe activities, and much more. 

Texas Thespians Leadership Day
Carver hosted a Leadership Day for Texas Thespians. Thespian troupes from around the state brought their student leaders for a day to learn best practices and how to run a successful troupe. The Leadership Academy is a year-long training program for the developed troupe, the struggling troupe, and the troupe transitioning to new leadership. During Leadership Days, troupes are provided opportunities to learn through supplemental information and guides shared throughout the year. These additional guides are released monthly and include check-in points for troupes to work toward the recognition of Honor Troupe.