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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Members of the Claremont High School Thespian Troup hang out backstage at the CHS Theater. The group recently garnered numerous awards at the California State Thespian Festival held at the Ontario Convention Center. |
CHS performers embrace spotlight at festival
This year’s California State Thespian Festival contained more than 1100 high school Thespians from 70 California High Schools. Although Claremont High School’s Thespian Troupe 2129 only made up less than 5 percent of the people in attendance, in no way was CHS underrepresented.
Known for its strong performances at the annual Thespian festival, the Claremont High Thespian Troupe once again rose to the occasion this year, taking home a host of awards during the 3-day California State Thespian Festival at the Ontario Convention Center from April 4-6.
“There was a lot of people there,” said CHS Thespian Amy Clark. “It’s really fun and exciting to be with other theater students who share the same interests. Also, it is exciting to win.”
Amy won in the Callbacks-Solo Musical Theater and Solo Musical categories and was also one of 3 CHS theater students along with Andrea Santana and Emma Travis to be selected to perform in the All California Production. Andrea and Emma also won other awards with Andrea being re-elected to the 2008-09 California State Student Thespian Board as well as being honored for serving on the California State Thespian Board for 2007-08 while Emma was chosen as Senior Honor Thespian.
“It’s really fun getting to work behind the scenes and helping to design the festival,” Andrea said. “You get to meet a lot more people. It is a lot more work but it is worth it and I think it is more fun having all that work to do. Plus, I like responsibility.”
CHS senior Lauren Moore has attended the California State Thespian Festival for all 4 years that she has attended Claremont High and while she served as a room monitor and attended workshops her first two years, the senior has enjoyed the last two years where she has been able to perform in the competitive events. This year, Lauren won the Callbacks-Monologue category, was one of 3 CHS students to receive recognition in the Monologue category and was selected to work on the All Festival Technical Crew in scenic painting.
“It’s been a different feeling each year,” Lauren explained. “My first year, I wasn’t really a part of anything and I was scared for the people performing because it seemed really intimidating. Over the years, I have come to understand how the process works and that has prepared me to know what to expect. This event gives you a lot of knowledge because of the feedback and the honest judging.” (story continues below)
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COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy
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| Claremont High School drama students rehearse for their upcoming production of Beauty and the Beast. |
Jacob Gilbert, another CHS senior, was the winner of a $1500 senior scholarship in technical theatre and also was selected to work on the All Festival Technical Crew in light board. In order to win the scholarship, Jacob participated in a multi-part interview process.
“I had to present a portfolio of lighting designs and anything that I’ve done,” Jacob pointed out. “I talked to them for 5 minutes and they asked me questions such as why I do it. Throughout the process, I remember that the other contestants all sounded amazing so it was exciting when I found out that I won.”
Other winners at the festival included Michaela Kretzner (Make up Design), Kim Gottuso (Summer Scholarship to Camp Bravo Performing Arts Camp) and Rosie Kramer-Dahlin (Musical Theatre Dance). Claremont also earned a host of honors that included Faith Kearns (Monologue, 2008-09 California State Student Thespian Board), Michelle Alger-Minti (Monologue), Tessa Wood (All Festival Technical Crew – Scenic Painting, California State Thespian Board 2007-08), Nestor Romero (All California Production Technical Crew – A2 Audio, All Festival Technical Crew – Audio 2 Lead) and Jenn Crawford (All California Production Technical Crew – A2 Audio).
CHS students Corrina Wells (A2 Audio), Lindsey Elhai (A2 Audio), Tay Gendreau (A1 Audio), Dylan Elhai (Follow Spot), Andy Lindvall (Light Board), Gabie Chavez (A1 Audio), David Fronk (Set Construction), Diana Amaya (Set Construction), Kharim Khalil (Stage Crew), Max Sneary (Stage Crew) and Hailey Hafner (Scenic Painting) were all selected to work on the All Festival Technical Crew. As a group, CHS’ 10-minute rendition of Beauty and the Beast was selected to be performed on the main stage, and also ended up becoming the top performance in the Scenefest category.
“We were trying to put on our best performance and it was great,” said Amy Clark regarding the Beauty and the Beast piece. “A lot of people came up to us and said something to the effect of ‘oh you’re from Claremont and that’s why you did so good.’ It was so exciting.”
CHS’ Beauty and the Beast production will take place from May 29-31 later this year in Bridges Auditorium. The shows will mark the final performances of seniors such as Lauren Moore, who also attended her final Thespian festival as a high school Thespian two weeks ago.
“It’s a huge, huge event,” Lauren said. “I have a lot of good memories.”
—Landus Rigsby
