by Kayla Williams and Taylor Duncan

Southeast Theatre made history by performing Cast List written by Jason Pizzarella and Rocco Natale at the North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC). The performance was the first ever appearance for the Theatre Company at a competitive festival. 

After their performance at the Reidsville High School Play Festival, the group brought home two awards: Best representation of the Theatrical Experience and Best Rivalry Between Characters. 

As competition day approached, actors prepared to master their roles. “Before this trip, I was very skeptical about performing in a serious play rather than a comedic one, but I feel as if with this trip I can really take away from it the comfort to be serious," said performer Madison Thacker.

The award for "Best representation of the Theatrical Experience" demonstrated that it takes more than just actors to have a play come to life on stage.

Thacker continued her early worries, but once at the festival, her anxieties went away.  "I was very scared that we would not finish in time, but luckily, our stage managers made sure we did. My favorite moment was when we saw a roughly 6-7ft tall and maybe 20-foot-long orca puppet,” said Thacker.

With Mrs. Atkins leading the efforts to prepare the crew for the two-day festival, it is clear that Southeast is a force to be reckoned with. 

After their first competition and wins, the future is bright for the art's scene at Southeast.