Story Submitted by Katie Mossburg

 

For the first time in school history, the Bridgeport High School Thespian Troupe placed first at the Regional Thespian Festival. The competition, which took place at Morgantown High School, was held on Saturday.

 

Five schools from the region competed. The teams along with Bridgeport were Fairmont Senior, East Fairmont, Morgantown, and Lincoln.

 

Bridgeport performed Scenes from Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales by Mary Hall Surface and David Maddox, which is set on the premise of circus troupe acting out three interpretations of fairy tales. They were given 45 minutes to set up their scenery, perform their entry, and strike the set. In addition to being awarded first place, three of the thespian troupe’s members were awarded individual honors.

 

“It was a thrilling experience. Just seeing everyone out in the crowd, made me realize why I love doing what I do. And knowing that I’m surrounded by the people I love onstage, just makes the time even better,” said Taryn P., who was awarded best actress. “It was my first time as a Thespian, and it was my last. I didn’t expect to get first place, but I’m glad we did. I was part of history.”

 

Sing Down the Moon permitted the actors to perform a play within a play. With the thespians acting as various circus personalities, they took turns portraying additional characters in Appalachian interpretations of Cinderella, Three Little Pigs, and Beauty and the Beast. Each of the five schools performed throughout the day and were adjudicated accordingly with the top three schools advancing to the state competition. Adjudication of each performance was based on three categories: set work, vocal work, and body work.

 

“They randomly draw from the teams the order of who will perform. We were all eating breakfast when (BHS Troupe Director) Jared Brown came up and told us that we got drawn to go first, and we had a half an hour to be completely dressed and ready. Even though it was sudden, we were all ready on time and had our best performance.” Savannah Blythe said of their preparation.

 

Because of their achievements at the Regional Thespian Festival, Bridgeport High School’s Thespian Troupe, which is Troupe #7549 in The International Thespian Society, will be traveling to Charleston for the West Virginia State Thespian Festival March 26-28.

 

“It was amazing,” said Cordell Hutcheson, who was awarded best supporting actor and was elected to the state student thespian board. “Everything we had spent months working toward had happened. We made school history, and we made memories we’d never forget.”

 

In addition to Taryn P.'s and Hutcheson’s individual awards, Luke Sambol was also awarded best actor. Aarion Harris and Taryn P. were also named to the All-Festival Cast

 

Members of the cast are as follows: Savannah Blythe, Tori Bonafield, Hannah Cottrill, Nikki Dewitt, Emily Estanich, Noah Hall, Aaron Harris, Cordell Hutcheson, Beckah James, Olivia Leadman, Taryn P., Luke Sambol, Sierra Shreves, and Douglass Soule. Backstage crew included Kady Hayes as lighting console operator and Jessica Pigott as stage manager. They were led by director Jason Young, music director Joshua Stubbs, costume designer Albani St. Martin Brown, and set and property designer and troupe director Jared St. Martin Brown.

 

Editor's Note: Katie Mossburg is a student in Mrs. Alice Rowe's Bridgeport High School Journalism Department and this story was submitted to Connect-Bridgeport. Photo courtesy of the Bridgeport High School Theatre Facebook page.