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Draper Journal

Hats Off To Juan Diego, Corner Canyon Theatre Students

Apr 17, 2015 05:10PM ● By Julie Slama

Corner Canyon High School theatre students move on to state contests after taking second place in sweepstakes at the recent regional competitions. Photo courtesy of Phaidra Atkinson

Juan Diego Catholic and Corner Canyon high school theatre students are in the tops in the region after showcasing their talent at their recent respective regional competitions.

Juan Diego, which competed in region 10 March 28 in Park City, won first place in the one-act play, “The Serpent.” The play will showcase 14 students at the 3A state contest April 9-11 in St. George.

The duo of Caroline May and Lucas Castro won the contemporary scene contest with their performance from “Almost Maine.” Placing third in the category were Emily Harper and Max Harper in “Daniel Rocket.”

The team of Brynn Duncan and Alison Stroud with their performance of “Two Gentleman of Verona” placed third in classical scene.

Also qualifying for state was Ashley Schroader in dramatic monologue; the teams of Meghan Pollard and AllyShea Sexton as well as Brie Bauer and Lauren Cid in musical theatre; the duo of Samantha Mora and Thomas Moore in contemporary scene and Nina Tita and Lindsey Colman in classical scene.

“They did great and it was fun to see them perform and grow and see others appreciate their work,” Juan Diego Director of Theatre Arts Joe Crnich said. “We have a list we’re working on and the kids are really focused. We plan to have a good time, making new connections, learning and observing talents of other schools.”

Corner Canyon placed second in sweepstakes with their one-act play “The Elephant’s Graveyard,” directed by student Macy Gibbons at the 4A regionals that were held both at their school and Olympus High in Salt Lake City.

At the regional competition, Brandon Bills won the outstanding acting award for his portrayal of The Strongman in “The Elephant’s Graveyard.” Corner Canyon director

Phaidra Atkinson said. “They have done such an amazing job representing a brand new school in the mere two years we have been up and running. We have a fantastic program and are growing and growing into an even better one.”

Placing at regionals were Brandon Bills and Adam Packard who won first place in contemporary scene; Brittany Eldredge, Sam Schino and Chandler Blount who took first place in classical scene; Kate Dorny and Cameron Leadbetter who finished in second place in classical scene; Abby Maxwell and Dylan Manzanares took second and third place respectively in musical theatre; Nick Whitworth and Sabrina Bickerstaff who tied for third place in dramatic monologue; and Justin Vass and Madison Sherwood who finished second in pantomime.

Several students earned straight superior marks and were honored with a medal. These students include Megan Mclean, Chase Evenson and Rachel Boden in contemporary scene; Alexsys Campbell and Parker Gibbons in classical scene; Melise Zundel and Amella Pena in classical scene; Nicole Cannan in dramatic monologue; Alyssa Wilson, Josh Peterson, Zach Davis and Ben Smedley, all in humorous monologue and Savanna Cox and Garrett Gibbons in pantomime.

Atkinson said that already her students are preparing for state, which will be April 17-18 in Spanish Fork.

Several students who received overall superior marks qualified to compete for state. They are Maddy Skousen, Kent Anderson and Justin Mellenthin in contemporary scene; Wyatt Hendricks and Maddie Sueltz in contemporary scene; Mina Sadoon and Makenzie Gomez, both in musical theatre; and the duos of Abby Broadbent and Amanda Hagen and Stoney Grayer and Will Lambert in pantomime.

Juan Diego will hold a showcase of its performances in May while Corner Canyon will put on “Xanadu” this spring.