The Company of Warriors, Cleveland’s drama department, competed April 4-6 at the state theater festival to determine national eligibility, and qualified nine thespians in a variety of mediums.
At the Large Group Performance, Moxley Cross, Madison Easlon, and Adelaide Bracewell Stokes all made it through to nationals. Another group, composed of Amelea Krill and Ethan Daley, qualified for Monologues as well. In Duo Dramatic Scene, Sela Loo and Willa Fish also passed on.
In individual competition, Alabaster Richard qualified in Film while Kaylah Chan got a spot in Marketing for Theatre. Other accomplishments were acknowledged too, with Scenic Design recognizing the efforts of Sophia Jordan for her set on “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”
Cleveland was also respected for their performance, playwriting and production of their one act play “The Unfortunate Happenstance,” which included performers Daley, Richard, Riz Phelps, and Elijah Tinker.
Theater director Michael Payne commented on the season’s success, saying, “It’s like a stamp of approval that what we’re doing is really on par with what really successful programs are doing.”
Despite poor funding, the drama students have persisted, and many were given the opportunity to go to nationals in Indiana. Unfortunately, many will not be able to attend.
“It’s just really cool to know that, if we wanted to, a lot of us could go to nationals,” said Krill, a junior.
Krill was named at the festival to be a member of next year’s State Thespian Board. Their official title is State Thespian Officer (STO), Cleveland’s first ever appointment to the board, Payne said.
For Krill, being an STO is a great honor. It provides them many opportunities, including sitting in on conferences and offering advice to those that may even be older than them.
“[It’s] a lot of pressure honestly, because you’re kind of the face of Oregon Thespians… [But] it’s really exciting because I get to meet a bunch of cool people and experience cool things that I didn’t think I would ever get to experience in high school,” Krill said.
In addition to providing advice, being an officer also requires planning the district and state competitions.