Thespians bring the curtain down at NW Regional Acting Competition

Posted March 16, 2023

By Haley Moreschi

News Editor

David Douglas thespians made a strong showing at the NW Regionals Acting Competition on Jan. 7.

The NW Regionals Acting Competition is one of the largest Oregon Thespian events. This event specifically is the first opportunity for students to be selected to participate in the State Showcase during the State Festival.  

Different schools participate in one of three regional events from the Northeast, Northwest, and Southern regions. The entry of David Douglas was the largest in the competition, making them the most recognized school in attendance. 

Students compete in many different performance categories. There are eight non-musical categories. These consist of solo-acting, duet-acting, group acting, and pantomime. Along with these, there are four musical categories, including solo, duet, small group, and large group. In each category, the top 10% of scoring entries in each region are Showcase Qualifiers, and are invited to advance to the State Showcase auditions at the State Festival.

Receiving superior solo acting awards was August Pair, Sydney Kimpton, and Dottie Hayden. Honorable mentions went to Akila Magliane, Demarcus Stephens, Olivia Eyestone, Amelia Parish, and Scarlett Stokes.

Students also competed in duo acting with superior awards going to the duos of Richard Guinan and DeMarcus Stephens, Liam Hay and Sydney Kimpton, and Grace Coons and Kyra Thomas. Honorable mentions went to duos Ellah Bloomquist-Hulbert and August Pair along with duo Kyra Blair and Layne Winningham.

“I am so proud of these kids' hard work, creativity and resilience," said Theatre teacher Michael Givler.  "These students were recognized.”