Special to Iredell Free News
The Theatre Department at Mooresville High School earned several awards at the 2022 NCTC High School Play Festival.
The theatre program, led by Ron Higdon, presented two productions, “dirt” and “An Absolutely True Story as Told By a Bunch of Lying Liars” at the Festival, and brought home the following awards:
♦ Festival Spirit Award
♦ Excellence in Special Effects
♦ Excellence in Design and Production, Lighting Design – Grace Blackwelder
♦ Excellence in Design and Production, Sound Design – Carter Ryan
♦ Outstanding Achievement in Design and Production, Stage Management – Finn May
♦ Excellence in Acting – Jaiden Noblezada
♦ Excellence in Acting – Alex Hilton
♦ Excellence in Acting – Logan Pelchat
“An Absolutely True Story as Told By a Bunch of Lying Liars” was voted Distinguished Play and was invited to attend the State Festival in Greensboro.
This year, over 2,000 students from 87 schools are performing 112 plays at seven regional sites. The top 16 productions were invited to perform at the NCTC State High School Play Festival, which was held November 17-18 at Greensboro College.
Participating schools travel to their regional Festival sites with theatrical sets, costumes and props. Each show loads in to a 10-foot by 10-foot backstage area. When their time comes, schools have 45 minutes to set up, perform the play, and clear the stage.
Following their performance, students receive feedback from professional actors and directors with Broadway and Hollywood credits.
Awards are given for acting, design, technical craft, ensemble work, and festival spirit.
“We continue to celebrate a spirit of community at the Play Festival, giving students an enriching environment to learn from each other and celebrate each other’s work. Young artists leave feeling accomplished, energized and inspired.” said NCTC Executive Director Angie Hays.
For over 50 years, the NCTC High School Play Festival has strengthened arts education in schools by bringing curriculum to life, challenging students to do their very best work, and contributing to the development of future audiences for the performing arts. The program was named one of the “Top High School Theatre Festivals” by Stage Directions Magazine. It is the largest high school theatre event in the Southeast.
The NCTC High School Play Festival is made possible with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources; Church Interiors Audio and Video; Lincoln Financial Group; and the Moore County Community Foundation.