CNMI thespians cap successful participation in int’l festival

The CNMI’s junior thespians performed well against the National Senior competitors. (Contributed Photo)

The full summer results are in and the CNMI Thespians of the Western Pacific Islands is reporting a very successful trip to the International Festival in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The students on the CNMI Team came from a combination of troupes from Kagman High School (troupe director Joy Jones), Saipan Southern High School (troupe director Frank Borja) and Marianas High School (troupe directors Jojo Alepuyo and Paul Dujua) .

Junior thespians were from troupes at Hopwood Junior High School (troupe director Marylyn Mendoza) and the Northern Marianas International School (troupe director Kathy Barja).

Angelica Mateo for Costume Design (3/3 Top Ratings), Elizabeth Rose Jones for Monologue (2/3 Top Ratings), and Yuuki Nishida and Jayrald Mercene for Duet Acting (2/3 Top Ratings). (Contributed Photo)

Eight of the CNMI’s thespians participated in the International Festival’s opening ceremony—the third year that Commonwealth talents have been included in this event. Members of the team that participated were Neil Fama, Elizabeth Rose Jones, Shandel Cayabyab, Anne Cruz, Janella Nelmida, Joselle Reyes, Jamison Kui Lee, and Riczi Cano

In the National Individual Event Showcase, these events evaluated 10 of the CNMI’s senior thespians and four junior thespians against the top thespians from other chapters across the Unites States and around the world.

Ten of the CNMI’s senior thespians and four junior thespians competed against the top thespians from other chapters across the Unites States and around the world. Our students again showed they were among the best. (Contributed Photo)

The CNMI’s students once again showed they were among the best. Receiving top honors among the senior thespians were Angelica Mateo for Costume Design (3/3 Top Ratings); Elizabeth Rose Jones for Monologue (2/3 Top Ratings); and Yuuki Nishida and Jayrald Mercene for Duet Acting (2/3 Top Ratings).

The remaining senior thespians reached the second level. They are Lee Ann Jastillana for Monologue (with 1 Top Rating); Paula Gozon, Grace Catalma, and Miguel Aninon for Group Musical Theatre (with 1 Top Rating); Roland Balajadia for Solo Musical Theatre; and Kianna Atalig for Short Film.

The CNMI’s junior thespians performed equally well against the national senior competitors, with Erica Tubera receiving top honors for Solo Musical Theatre (3/3 Top ratings). The remaining junior thespians also reached the second level: Kelvin Wolf for Monologue and Deirdre Rossette and Myka Villegas for Duet Acting

According to chapter director Harold Easton, none of the CNMI’s students had a result below the second level.

Workshops
Throughout the week coaches and students alike also attended a variety of workshops on performance and theatre techniques. These workshops are taught by highly qualified theatre professionals and will certainly enhance the students’ skills.

Festival’s Got Talent
The CNMI’s “Festival’s Got Talent Team” of 14 students competed against 25 other competitors in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Johnny Carson Theatre, and for the second year in a row, their choral prowess earned them the trophy for top honors. The sopranos consisted of Anne Cruz, Emily Jones, Joselle Reyes; the altos were Annabel Manzo, Jennella Nelmida, Paula Gozon, Grace Catalma, and Leonard Manuel; the tenors were Neil Fama, Kui Lee, Shandel Cayabyab, and Miguel Aninon; and the basses were Roland Balajadia and Riczi Cano.

College auditions
Students entering their senior year also auditioned for colleges and universities. These 10 students accounted for 57 “call backs” by 22 different colleges and universities. Seven of these were Division 1 universities. Lee Ann Jastillana led the way followed closely by Anabelle Manzo and Emily Jones. Other highly achieving students included Riczi Cano, Angela Cruz, Niel Fama, Paula Gozon, Jamison Lee, Beltran Muna, and Simon Shim.

Among those universities who are recruiting the CNMI’s students for the first time is Louisiana State University and Missouri Valley College.

“The University of Nebraska-Lincoln recruited our students again this year for only the second time,” said Easton.

Schools such as the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, St. Louis University, St. Mary’s-Minnesota, Savannah School of Art and Design, and the University of Houston have already had students from the CNMI and are hoping more will attend.

The Chapter Select Showcase
The entire team participated in the Chapter Select Showcase, one-act plays selected by the Educational Theatre Association to be presented at the festival.

“The CNMI Team was proud to continue this longstanding tradition for our team,” Easton said.

The production this year was the comedy How To Succeed in High School Without Really Trying.

“The production was received with gales of laughter and cheers from the opening production number to the play’s conclusion. It was followed by a standing ovation,” he said.

The Freestyle Theatre
The CNMI team returned to Freestyle Theatre this year with an original musical presentation. The cast included members of the “Festival’s Got Talent Team” plus Elizabeth Rose Jones, Jayrald Mercene, Simon Shim, and Erica Tubera.

“The production wrapped up our festival week and like the previous events was a rousing success. The production received steady applause, cheers, and a standing ovation—a fitting way to end our 2015 festival experience,” Easton said.