Echols Co. Schools
Performing Arts
ECS Performing Arts Vision Statement:
To produce quality community and school productions that promote positive family involvement, cultural growth, community comradeship, and pride.
ECS Performing Arts Mission Statement:
To serve the students of Echols County Schools in the fields of theatre, art, music, and dance through high quality production experiences.
Please see "Productions" page to view past performances of ECHS Drama.
Please see "Publications" page to view affordable high school one act play musical publications, produced by ECHS Drama, available for licensing.
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Community Performance Tickets
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Recent News
ECS One Act Play Team Secures Sixth Consecutive Region Win
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2023 Georgia High School Association Region 2A One Act Play competition in Charlton County. Competing against other region schools, ECS Performing Arts staged a Commedia Dell’Arte inspired show, Arlecchino and the City of Love by Lorraine Thompson with an original soundtrack composed by Analiese R. Hamm. The troupe was awarded the 2023 Region 2A One Act Play Champion title for their exceptional showcase. This is the organization’s sixth consecutive Region 2A Champion Title. Region judges commented: “Great ensemble work”… “Totally engaged throughout the performance”… “Amazing costumes and set help to add to the beautiful pictures your performance gave us”… “Use of space was wonderful”… “Very good with your Commedia Dell’Arte studies”…“Thank you for sharing this performance and talent with us. I loved this show! So much energy and character throughout.”
Luis Crystian Galarza, portraying the role of the zany stock character, Arlecchino, was recognized as All Region Best Actor. Amelia Coppage, as the determined sister in disguise, Vitorria Garavini, was awarded All Region Best Actress. Bruce Born as Paulo and Julissa Luna Barahona as Georgina Pantalone were named All Region All Star Cast.
ECS Performing Arts performed their final production on the stage of Denmark High School on Nov. 18th at the Georgia High School Association State Competition. Here, competing against other Region champion teams, Echols County was recognized as fifth place in the state. Georgia Military College, Rainey McCullers School of the Arts, Christian Heritage School, and Lake Oconee Academy placed first through fourth. Luis Crystian Galarza and Amelia Coppage received individual recognition by being named to the 2023 All State All Star Cast.
ECS Performing Arts Sponsors production For MS Theatre Arts
During the fourth nine weeks of the 2022-23 school year, a Middle School Theatre Arts class was offered to 7th and 8th grade students for the first time in school history. In this class, the students had the opportunity to study a variety of theatre education topics including Theatre Appreciation, Voice and Diction, Improvisation, Pantomime, Set and Costume Design, and Sewing. Each unit of study built to a culminating production that the class premiered for students in grade 1-5 and the community on May 4th and 5th. The class performed an original play with music entitled "The Magnificent Doctor Dolittle," music and book written by ECS Performing Arts director, Analiese R. Hamm. Hamm directed the show with student teacher assistant and backstage manager, Hunter Platt.
ECS Perfoming Arts sponsored the production through the purchase of costumes and set supplies. Additionally, a Donor's Choose project provided students with a variety of papier-mâché supplies to help design and create their fantastic animal masks.
ECS Performing Arts, Literary 2023 Region Runner-Up
On March 18th, the ECS Performing Arts’ Literary Team traveled to Folkston, GA to compete in the 2023 Georgia High School Association Region 2A Literary competition. Competing against other Region 2A schools, Echols County High School participants acquired the following wins: 1st place contest wins: Amelia Coppage (1st Place Dramatic Presentation), Haley McLeod (1st Place Girl’s Solo), and Mora Redding (1st Place International Extemporaneous Speaking); 2nd place wins: Jenna McCollum (Runner-Up Humorous Presentation), Hunter Platt (Runner-Up Boys Solo), Luis Crystian Galarza and Trevor Darling (Runner-Up Duo Presentation), KC Leonard (Runner-Up Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking), Other rankings include John Hancock (3rd Place Rhetorical Essay), Alexis Gonzalez-Sosa (3rd Place Argumentative Essay), and Christian McGilvray (3rd Place Personal Essay).
The first-place winners in the Region advanced to compete in the Georgia High School Association Literary State Tournament at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA on March 25th. Amelia Coppage placed 5th in state, Haley McLeod placed 4th in state, and Mora Redding placed 3rd in state.
ECS Performing Arts named 2022 One Act Play Region Champions
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2022 Georgia High School Association Region 2A One Act Play competition in Charlton County. Competing against other region schools, ECS Performing Arts staged their original adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in 80 Days, book and music created by director Analiese Roberts Hamm. The group was awarded the 2022 Region 2A One Act Play Champion title for their outstanding showcase. This is the organization’s fifth consecutive Region 2A Champion Title. Region judges commented: “I was stuck by how tight this show was in all aspects: flow, response, listening, actors as actors and actors as crew”… “A stunning production that moved effortlessly”… “Sets and costumes are breathtaking, elevating both overall production and characterization” … “What a challenging undertaking [but] you did it all.”
Haley McLeod, portraying the role of Detective Fix was named Region 2A Best Actress. Hunter Platt, portraying the iconic role of Phileas Fogg, and Luis Crystian Galarza, portraying the role of the French comic relief Jean Passepartout, were recognized as All Region All Star Cast.
ECS Performing Arts performed their final production on the stage of Baldwin High School on Nov. 12th at the Georgia High School Association State Competition. Here, competing again seven other Region champion teams, Echols County was recognized as fourth place in the state. Georgia Military College, Lake Oconee Academy, and Rainey McCullers School of the Arts placed first through third. Luis Crystian Galarza and Haley McLeod received individual recognition by being named to the 2022 All State All Star Cast. The team was once again complemented by the state judges: “Your attention to detail is commendable. Thank you for your obvious commitment and hard work. Job well done!”… “Thanks for sharing this fun adaptation of a classic story.”
ECS Literary 2022 Earns Highest Number of 1st Place Wins in school history
On March 12th, the ECS Performing Arts’ Literary Team traveled to Ocilla, GA to compete in the 2022 Georgia High School Association Region 2A Literary competition. Competing against other Region 2A schools, Echols County High School participants acquired the highest number of 1st place contest wins: Emma Grace Tudor (1st Place Humorous Presentation), Hunter Platt (1st Place Boys Solo), Amelia Coppage (1st Place Dramatic Presentation), Haley McLeod (1st Place Girl’s Solo), and Mora Redding (1st Place International Extemporaneous Speaking). Other rankings include Emma Grace Tudor (2nd Place Rhetorical Essay), Alexis Gonzalez-Sosa (2nd Place Argumentative Essay), Jasmin Valencia and Amari Hayes (3rd Place Duo Presentation), Amari Hayes (4th Place Personal Essay), and Austin Culpepper (4th Place Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking). Emma Grace Tudor also was named 2022 State Runner-Up in Humorous Presentation at state competition.
ECS One Act Play 2021 Secures 4th Consecutive Region Win
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2021 Georgia High School Association Region 2A One Act Play competition at Irwin County High School. Competing against other region schools, ECS Performing Arts captivated the audience and the judges, with their original musical production of The Other Side of Troublesome, book and lyrics by director Analiese Roberts Hamm and music by Analiese Hamm and Christian Guest. The group was awarded the 2021 Area 2A One Act Play Champion title for their outstanding showcase. This is the group’s fourth consecutive Region 2A Champion Title. Region judges commented: “Two Kleenex later…I am not over this show!! It was absolutely beautiful from start to finish!” “So beautiful! The set pieces, costumes, use of scrim, music, [vocalization]…were so lovely.” “Picturization was perfect!” “We just didn’t want to see it end…”
Austin Culpepper, portraying multiple roles throughout the show including Reason Roberts, Odel Allen, Benny Paul Roberts, and Ferman Staten was named Region 2A Best Actor. Haley McLeod, in the roles of the mythical flatwood panther, Dot Henderson Price, Wealthy Wetherington, and Vivian Roberts, was named Region 2A Best Supporting Actress. Perry Coggins, cast as the local storyteller Willie Fred Roberts, and Faith Jones, cast as Lommie Brown and Ruth Kinsey, were named All Region All Star Cast.
This year marks the 90th year the community has been able to join together in its historic auditorium to celebrate the students of Echols County Schools. So, it only seemed fitting that a show honoring the rural community and its early residents take the stage.
The world of Troublesome, as presented in the The Other Side of Troublesome, is a fictional world filled with both magical realism and hints of historical truths. While most of the stories included in this musical collection are actually derived from folklore from around the world, the subtle yet respectful nods to the many hamlets of Echols County, their early residents, and their hobbies and trades, are based on the county’s history, as recorded in an earlier school project entitled The Chinkypin. The Chinkypin I, II, and III is a collection of publications created by Mrs. Dorothy Henderson Price and her Echols County High School classes ranging from 1974-1983. The project initiative was to inspire the citizens of Echols County to research their own genealogy and work to preserve the folklore of their families. The publication also helped form The Echols County Historical Society, Inc.
During the production season, ECS performing arts raised money on behalf of The Echols County Historical Society through a student-improvised cake auction as well as Chinkypin and play script sales. Funds collected for the local nonprofit organization were over $1,700.
ECS Performing Arts performed their final production on the stage of Warner Robins High School on Nov. 13th at the Georgia High School Association State Competition. Here, competing again seve/n other Region champion teams, Echols County was recognized as third place in the state. Georgia Military College and Lake Oconee Academy placed first and second. Austin Culpepper and Haley McLeod received individual recognition by being named to the 2021 All State All Star Cast. The team was once again complemented by the state judges: “Beautiful transitions and stage pictures”, “very nice harmonies and vocals”, “This was a great way to start the day. Loved your show, and you should all be proud of your work…some amazingly creative ideas on display throughout.”
ECHS 2021 Literary Team Named REGION 2A CHAMPIONS
On April 17th, the ECS Performing Arts’ Literary Team traveled to Ocilla, GA to compete in the 2021 Georgia High School Association Region 2A Literary competition. Competing against five other Region 2A schools, Echols County High School participants filled the top score charts: Perry Coggins (1st Place Boys Solo), Jacob Avila (1st Place Dramatic Presentation), Emma Grace Tudor (1st Place Humorous Presentation), Hana Missildine and Ezekiel Galarza (1st Place Duo Presentation), Haley McLeod (2nd Place Girls Solo), Hunter Platt, Perry Coggins, Jacob Avila, and Austin Culpepper (2nd Place Quartet), Graham Register (2nd Place Argumentative Essay), Amari Hayes (2nd Place Personal Essay), Emma Grace Tudor (2nd Place Rhetorical Essay), Mora Redding (2nd Place International Extemporaneous Speaking), and Ariel Platt (3rd Place Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking). The team earned points in all eleven events they participated in, totaling 61 points, the highest number of points in ECHS Literary history. This total secured the team’s first Region Champion title in Literary since 2017.
ECHS 2021 ONE ACT PLAY Team Named REGION 2A CHAMPIONS
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2020-21 Georgia High School Association Region 2A One Act Play competition at Irwin County High School. Competing against other region schools, ECS Performing Arts wowed the audience and the judges, with their production of Irving Berlin’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang JR. The group was awarded the 2020-21 Area 2A Champion title for their outstanding showcase. This is the group’s third consecutive Region 2A Champion Title. Competition judges complimented the show: “Gorgeous costumes…and wow, what a car!”, “Excellent vocalization”, “Excellent use of the ensemble…and crew”, and “A Great Overall Production!”
Emma Grace Tudor, portraying the role of Baroness Bomburst, was named 2020-21 Region 2A Best Actress. Graham Register and Beau Coppage in the role of Boris and Goran, The Vulgarian Spies, were named All Region Best Supporting Actors. Jacob Avila, in the role of Baron Bomburst, was recognized as a 2020-21 All Region All Star Cast Member.
Unfortunately, COVID contact tracing halted the production for three weeks, including the team's trip to the GHSA State One Act Play Competition. However, the team was able to successfully wrap up the season during the final weeks of February, complete with full houses and a final performance standing ovation.
ECS Performing Arts extends much gratitude for it's continued patron support during this extended season.
ECHS 2020 Literary Team Named Area 2A Runner Up
On February 29th, the Echols County High Literary Team traveled to Ocilla, GA to compete in the 2020 Georgia High School Association Area 2A Literary competition. Competing against other area schools, Echols County High School participants filled the top score charts: Perry Coggins placed 1st in Boys Solo for the second consecutive year, Taylor Lukens placed 1st in Humorous Presentation for the second consecutive year, Duo team Hana Missildine and Ezekiel Galarza placed 1st in Duo Presentation, Callie Fowler placed 1st in Extemporaneous Speaking International Topics, and Graham Register placed 2nd in Argumentative Essay. These points, along with points collected from several 3rd and 4th places, earned the team title of Area 2A Runner-Up.
The first and second place winners were then to advance to compete in the Georgia High School Association Literary State Tournament in Milledgeville, GA previously scheduled for March 14th. On March 12th, the state competition was postponed, then later cancelled due to the school closures across the state.
ECS Performing Arts One act play team wins
2019 area 2A Competition
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2019 Georgia High School Association Area 2A One Act Play competition at Irwin County High School. Competing against seven other area schools, ECS Performing Arts carried out an exceptional production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Getting to Know adaptation of Oklahoma! The group was named 2019 Area 2A Champions for their outstanding showcase. Competition judges complimented, “Beautiful set and pictures”, “Great commitment from the whole ensemble”, and “What a wonderful, fun-filled production.” Taylor Lukens, portraying the role of Ado Annie, was named 2019 Area 2A Best Actress, and Perry Coggins, as Curly McLain, was named 2019 Area 2A Best Actor. Jacklynn Radney, as Aunt Eller, was named 2019 Area 2A Best Supporting Actress, and Olivia Coppage, as Gertie Cummings, was awarded All Area All Star Cast. Senior Jacklynn Radney (Aunt Eller) and Freshman Haley McLeod (Laurey Williams) were also recognized at the GHSA State Tournament as 2019 All State All Star Cast Members.
ECS Performing Arts One Act Play Team Wins
2018 Area 2A Competition
The Echols County Performing Arts High School One Act Play Team competed in the 2018 Georgia High School Association Area 2A One Act Play competition at Irwin County High School. Competing against six other area schools, ECS Performing Arts captivated the audience, and the judges, with their production of Playscripts’ “The 39 Steps: A Live Radio Play”, book by Joe Landry. The club was named 2018 Area 2A Champions for their outstanding showcase. Competition judges complimented, ““Great physicality and physical humor”, “Music, costumes, and set are lovely”, and “You MAKE us enjoy watching.” Taylor Lukens, portraying the role of Annabella Smith, was named 2018 Area 2A Best Actress, and Noah Edgy, progressing the storyline as the Radio Announcer, was named 2018 Area 2A Best Actor. Perry Coggins, portraying the leading male role of Richard Hannay, and Alden Dawkins, portraying the leading female role of Pamela Stewart were awarded All Area All Star Cast. Judges also applauded Ezekiel Galarza as Sound Technician for managing “one of the most difficult shows to cue.” The group finished 3rd in the GHSA State Single A Public Competition.
ECHS ITS Troupe 8218 Supports A. Crawford Mosely High School
ECS Performing Arts One Act Play team opened their 2018 production season on Friday, Oct. 19th. Echols County International Thespian Society Troupe 8218 and Troupe Director Analiese Hamm have organized a fundraiser campaign and dedicated the opening performance in honor of A. Crawford Mosely High School’s Opening Night of “The Miracle Worker”. The Mosley Drama Club’s production season was set to open the weekend of Oct. 12th but has yet to be performed due to the tragedy and devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in the Panama City Area. All funds collected with admission and donation on Opening Night, Oct. 19th, in addition to funds collected through the GoFundMe campaign, “Tragedy off Stage”, were gifted to Mosley High School Troupe Director, Bruce Taws, who will then distribute the needed funds throughout the theater program’s community.
ECS Performing Arts Stages First 6-12 Production
Continuing to grow and promote the arts throughout the school system, ECS Performing Arts casts its first grades 6-12 production. Three groups of cast members, a dance ensemble, a vocal ensemble, and the leading cast work together to produce "The Best Little Theater in Town."
The musical featured costume pieces inspired by the late Mrs. Virginia Prince's jewelry collection which was donated to the organization by her daughter, Mrs. Tawanna Prince. Both community performances were dedicated to Mrs. Prince, her family, her extraordinary life, and her dedication to education.
ECS Literary 2018
Graduating seniors fill the GHSA State Championship award boards with one state champion award in Dramatic Interpretation and two state runner up awards in Rhetorical Essay and Extemporaneous Speaking, International Topics.
Congrats Area 2A Runner-Up One Act Play 2017:
ECS DRAMA Stages Largest Cast Yet
With a cast and crew of 38 students, ECS Drama performs Dramatic Publishing's "Sing Down the Moon: Appalachian Wonder Tales" by Mary Hall Surface and David Maddox. The team was named Runner-up of the Area.
Additionally, the following performers received individual awards for their performance:
All Area Best Actress: Raegen Register
All Area Best Supporting Actor: Noah Edgy
All Area Best Supporting Actress: Mia Long
ECHS Drama Drops the "H":
ECHS Drama changes to ECS Drama:
Extracurricular Performance Arts department for high school, and now middle school
As of Fall 2017, ECHS Drama, now ECS Drama, has dropped its "H" and is welcoming its newest members of the organization. The one "high school only" extra-curricular department now has a Jr. Drama organization. Mrs. Analiese Hamm, stage director and, vocal director Mrs. Amber Jones will be working with a middle school team throughout the year to bring two additional productions to the community.
Inspired by the success of Drama Camp 2016, the organization decided that students in grades 6-8 also need the opportunity to take the stage. Jr. Drama will be joining the 5th grade music class for a production in December, and the group will be joining high school students for a second production in late spring.
Congrats Area 2A Runner Up
2017 Literary
ECHS Drama Member Writes Original Musical
"Murder on West 48": 2016 One Act Play
ECHS Drama Member, Abigail Collins, joins director Analiese Hamm, to write the drama organization's second original musical. "Murder on West 48", book by Abigail Collins and Lyrics and Music by Analiese Hamm is a musical set in 1935 New York City. The notorious mob boss Salvatore Kapo opens his newest clip joint on the corner of West 48th and Broadway, only to host denial from the depression, jealousy of those finding love in its mist, and the murder of the city's best dancer. After being simultaneously assigned to close the eight-month-running cold case - the murder of Charlene Wilson and the theft of her infamous diamond necklace, "The First Lady" - Field Detective Henry Hughes and Private Investigator Josephine Jones compete to uncover leads and condemn the guilty. Through zany investigations and shocking revelations, the two discover that life is just too short to stand staring into closed doors.
The musical's world premier was on Monday, October 24th at the ECHS Auditorium. Other performances for the community followed in late October-early November. The musical is now available for licensing through the Publications page. Preview scripts are available through purchase on Amazon.
Congrats Area 2A Champions
2016 Literary
Congrats Area 2A Champions
One Act Play 2015, 3rd in State
ECHS DRAMA Makes a Musical
In the fall of 2013, the recently established and rapidly growing fine arts organization of Echols County Schools, ECHS Drama, took to the stage with Dramatic Publishing’s “How to Make a Musical.” Two years later, they did just that: ECHS Drama MADE a musical.
Established in 2010 with the goal to bring awareness and appreciation of the performing arts to the surrounding community and school, ECHS Drama has seen both success and support. The organization participates in the Georgia High School Association One Act Play and Literary competitions each year, involving nearly forty high school students in a variety events including One Act Play productions, individual and group vocal competitions, dramatic interpretation, extemporaneous speaking competitions, and writing competitions.
Prior to each season, ECHS Drama Director Analiese Roberts Hamm dedicates much care and time to selecting competition pieces that would best exemplify the outstanding talents of Echols County students. In January 2015, the club received notification that in addition to the already existing constraints of a very limited budget and a small student population, the organization may not have access to its stage during its 2015 season. After tireless research to find an existing production that could now overcome the obstacles and meet the needs and goals of the club, Analiese Hamm decided to channel her energies to instead write a production for the organization and its students. “Many have asked me how I was able to take on a task so daunting, and my answer has always been, ‘because these students deserve it.’” Says Hamm. One of the lines from the production states: “We all deserve to find the life that we believe is a worthy trade.” Hamm explains, “These students, as well as the alumni members, have inspired me so much in my teaching career and have helped me discover my own passions. I would do anything it takes to do the same for them.”
Inspired in part by the mesmerizing scores of Mathew Kong and Teresa-Kerwin Kong, in part by the true stories of Captain William Kidd, and in part by a group of students, who despite their differences, deserve every opportunity to share their talents with the world, Analiese Roberts Hamm published “A Life Worth Living: The Curse of the Quedagh Merchant” in August 2015. With the help of music director Amber Jones, costume and set director Kathleen Smith, rehearsal track vocalists Ty McCain and Callie Buchanan, dialect coach and audiobook narrator Artie Sievers, and cover artist Holden Staten, Hamm then workshopped and directed the production for ECHS Drama to perform for the 2015 One Act Play season.
The world premiere of “A Life Worth Living: The Curse of the Quedagh Merchant” was performed on Oct. 22nd in the Echols County High School auditorium for ECS Grades 2-5 students. ECHS Drama also had three community presentations and participated in the Georgia High School Association One Act play Area 2A competition in Vidalia, GA on Oct. 30th. Receiving exemplary scores and reviews from Area judges, the team was named Area 2A One Act Play Champions, thus earning the opportunity to compete in the GHSA State Single A One Act Play competition at Bleckley County High School. On Nov. 14th, ECHS Drama’s performance was ranked third in the state.
A "Life Worth Living" is available for licensing on out Publications page. A Preview copy of the script can be purchased on Amazon.
Congrats Area 2A Champions
Literary 2015
State Champions 2014
Congrats Area 2A Champions: One Act Play: Perseus Bayou
Congrats Area 2A Champions
Literary 2014
State Runner-Up 2013
Congrats Area 2A Champions: One Act Play: How to Make a Musical
Area 2A Champions 2012
One Act Play 2012: The Taming of Katy Lou
