Regional festival; check. States; check.

 

Now Bridgeport High School Thespian Troupe #7549 is taking its one-act play, “Bury the Dead” on to the next level of competition. After taking the first-place trophy at the West Virginia Thespian Festival in Parkersburg this past weekend, the young enthusiasts will represent West Virginia as the chapter select show at the International Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska.

 

“Our primary goal was to move people and to convey the value of life. Based on the number of people who approached myself and other member of the cast in tears, I would say that we succeeded in our goal,” said BHS junior Derek Hess, who portrays Private John Schelling in the Civil War-time stage drama.

 

In addition to taking top overall honors, “Bury the Dead” generated several other awards. Callia Byard received outstanding supporting actress; Vincent Pinti and Jordan Kennedy-Rea were named to the All Festival Cast, Izzy Hawkinberry (designer), assisted by Maddie LaBenne and Jenna Keefover received Best Makeup Award and Haley Wilson received first place Stage Manager. Her overall superior score qualified her individually for the International Thespian Festival.

 

Vincent Pinti, Callia Byard, Wesley Cotter, Heather Bokey and Kady Hayes - Top 5 Scene - Overall Superior score qualifying for the International Thespian Festival.

A senior, Hayes was thrilled about the troupe’s success at states. She was equally happy that younger Thespian members had the opportunity to experience the festival and all it has to offer.

 

“I am part of an amazing cast and crew of people,” she said. “…Thespians has made such an impact on my life and my future. My favorite part (of the state festival) was spending time with my friends and attending all the amazing workshops!”

 

Hess also received a first-place award for his short film, “A Night to Remember.”

 

"’A Night to Remember’ remains as my contribution to warning my own generation of the dangers of drunken driving and underage drinking,” Hess said. “It was inspired by none other than my media teacher, Brad Bonenberger, who set an article on my desk about the moments preceding an actual car crash being recorded on social media. The article inspired me to do more research on the real event, and what I discovered was both moving and rather disturbing.”

 

Hess wrote my script, made his storyboard and assembled a cast.

 

“To me, the first-place trophy in the short film competition indicates a solid foundation of skills, talent, and family, from which I must continue to improve upon,” Hess said.

 

Despite solid ratings, “A Night to Remember” did not qualify for advancement to the International Thespian Festival, giving Hess a goal for 2019, he said.

 

Other awards earned by BHS Thespians at the state festival were as follows:

 

Erica Cottrill - Top 5 Musical Solo - Overall Superior score qualifying for the International Thespian Festival;

 

Jordan Kennedy-Rea - Top 5 Musical Solo - Overall Superior score qualifying for the International Thespian Festival;

 

Megan Rinker and Michaela Hutcheson - Top 5 Duo Acting;

 

Haley Wilson and Mohamed Ben Fredj - $1000 scholarship to Fairmont State University;

 

Megan Rinker and Michaela Hutcheson selected to perform Duo Acting Scene from "Blythe Spirit" at Arts Alive, April 20 in Charleston;

 

Megan Rinker and Andrew White were selected to perform a scene from "Bury the Dead" at Arts Alive, April 20 in Charleston.

 

Faculty sponsor Jared St. Martin Brown is very pleased with how his troupe represented BHS at the state festival and he said the members watched many wonderful plays and learned from a variety of top-notch workshops. He sends appreciation to the West Virginia Thespian Festival staff, Martha Louden, and the City of Parkersburg for their hospitality.

 

The International Thespian Festival takes place June 25-30 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

 

Read more about "Bury the Dead" HERE.