LYNCHBURG, VA – October 27, 2025 – EC Glass High School's theatre department has achieved a significant milestone, placing in the top two at the 2025 Virginia Theatre Association (VTA) Festival, held in Norfolk, October 23rd - 26th. This win earned Glass Theatre an official selection invitation to the 2026 Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) to be held in Chattanooga, TN, March 4th - 7th, 2026.

The Hilltoppers wowed the audiences and the judges alike with their poignant and imaginative rendition of Failure: A Love Story, a darkly charming and whimsical fable by Philip Dawkins. The play tells the ill-fated tale of the three Fail sisters—Gerty, Jenny June, and Nelly—who, despite their best efforts, tragically succumb to life's small disasters. With its unique aesthetic and profound emotional depth, the production captivated the audience, eliciting robust laughter, palpable gasps, and heartfelt tears. Matching the powerful audience reaction, the judges honored the production with awards for Best Costumes and Best Ensemble, in addition to the overall top-two placement.

The Virginia Theatre Association (VTA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and the largest state theatre association in the U.S., dedicated to connecting, cultivating, and advocating for theatre talent across the Commonwealth. The top-two placement at this highly competitive VTA Festival immediately qualifies the production to represent Virginia's outstanding high school theatre talent at the next level. This achievement builds upon recent success, as the program last placed in the top six at the VTA Festival in 2022.

The invitation to the 2026 SETC—the largest professional and educational theatre association in the United States—marks a tremendous achievement, giving the students an opportunity to showcase their work to colleges, universities, and professional companies across the region.

Allison Daugherty, EC Glass High School Artistic Director, shared that she was beyond proud of her students for their performance. "The students worked long hours on technique and teamwork. I couldn't be prouder of their devotion and talent. We're planning a performance for the Lynchburg community so they can enjoy and support them, as well."

Student Talent Shines in Individual Competitions

The department’s success extended beyond the mainstage, with EC Glass students dominating individual events:

• Weston Englund, EC Glass Senior, received an Honorable Mention for his entry in the Prop Category, showcasing a wax-sealed letter using a 3D printed stamp designed and crafted by Weston himself.

• Vee McAndrew, EC Glass Senior, received an Honorable Mention for their entry in the Scenic Design Category with their project centering around an intricate and thoughtfully detailed re-creation of the Arc de Triomphe. 

• Rebecca Spitzer, EC Glass Freshman, received First Place in a four-way tie in the Monologue Competition for her reading as Scout from To Kill a Mockingbird.

Upcoming Performances and Support

The EC Glass Theatre department now begins preparing for its performance at the 2026 Southeastern Theatre Conference in Chattanooga, TN, continuing to refine the production ahead of the regional event.

But first, community members can support the program and catch the students in their next performance, It’s a Wonderful Life, A RadioPlay, scheduled for December 4th - 6th in the Alumni Studio at EC Glass. Tickets will be available at ecgtbooktix.com 

The department will also be launching several fundraising efforts to help offset the significant travel and production costs associated with attending the SETC festival. Look for announcements on how you can contribute to this incredible educational opportunity for these aspiring artists and future community leaders.