4 NMI students get superior rating in int’l thespian festival

Four students from Northern Marianas public schools received overall superior ratings during the recent International Thespian Festival held in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Hopwood Junior High School student Mikhail Alcantara got into the nation’s Top 6 in the monologue competition while Marianas High School students Salvi Villanueva was in the Top 8 in film. MHS’ John Darag and Rochelle Dimapilis both finished Top 10 in solo musical and set design respectively.

Harold Easton, ITS Pacific chapter director, told Saipan Tribune that the CNMI team—composed of about 33 students from sixth grade to 12th grade—performed extremely well during the international festival late last month. He described this year’s outcome as “a major shift to the positive” because all participants finished with higher ranks than in previous years.

The CNMI has been sending delegates to the event for eight years now.

This year’s team was composed of students from five public schools on Saipan: MHS, Saipan Southern High School, Kagman High, Hopwood Junior High, and San Antonio Elementary School.

Saipan Tribune learned that Alcantara was among the contenders who received a “call back” from judges for a repeat performance. This was his first time to participate in the competition. A call back is only issued in select categories such as monologue, solo musical, mime, and group musical contests.

For film, Villanueva competed against 17 other student filmmakers. He is the video production club president of his school and is a recipient of several recognitions and awards in various video and film production contests on island.

John Darag, also an MHS student, was the gold medal winner during the regional thespian competition on island, which earned him the slot to be on the national team.

Others who received high ratings are Stephanie Lumbad/Mary Jane Pepito from San Antonio Elementary School, who emerged Top 8 in the nation for mime duet; MHS’ Jorem Guardian, who was in the Top 10 in mime solo; MHS’ Craig Hart, who finished Top 18 for set design; MHS’ Rozette Bunao, who was also in the Top 18 for costume design; and the group musical, which broke into the Top 20.

The tandem of Christine Aninzo and Annabel Manzo of Hopwood Junior High was in the Top 40 for duet acting while KHS’ tandem of Akeiko Dela Cruz and Nicole Sablan finished Top 40 for duet acting.

Students who finished in other ranks included Jennella Nelmida of Hopwood, Top 80 for solo musical; MHS’ Chiantee Rosete, Top 80 in monologue; and Hopwood’s Rhea Banados, Top 80 for monologue. Anna Rose Deleon Guerrero from Saipan Southern High School also got into the top half for monologue.

Easton said the international thespian festival saw the involvement of over 500 competitors from various U.S. states.

The CNMI team also performed three plays during the festival, attended numerous workshops and plays, and students were provided opportunities to audition for school theater clubs of some colleges and universities.