CNMI Thespians return from successful trip

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

The students on the CNMI Team came from thespian troupes from Kagman High School (troupe director Joy Jones), Grace Christian Academy (troupe director Grace Duran), and Marianas High School (Troupe directors Jojo Alepuyo amd Paul Dujua). Our Junior Thespians did not join us this year since they went to their own International Festival in Dallas, TX earlier in the year.

In order of appearance, as they say in theatre, their participations, performances, and competition results were as follows:

Opening ceremony
Our five Thespian Senior performers participated in the festivals opening ceremony. This marks the fourth year we have been requested to participate in this event. The students joined students from troupes all over the country and from around the world and performed in front of over 4,000 of their peers, in the two performances at the University of Nebraska’s 2,000-plus seat Lied Theatre. Members of the team that participated were: Neil Fama, Riczi Cano, Mikee Campo, Paula Gozon, and Annabel Manzo

National Individual Event Showcase
These events evaluated 23 of our Thespians against other Top Thespians that had been selected through competition from other Chapters across the Unites States and around the world. They were evaluated before a three-judge panel. Our students again showed they were among the best.

Receiving medals for Top Honors (Superior Rating) were: Ariane Reyes in Costume Design and Miguel Aninon, Roland Balajardia, Mikee Campo, Riczi Cano, Neil Fama, Geos Gozon, Paula Gozon, Diane Hermogenes, John Huevos, Leonard Manuel, Annabel Manzo, Joselle Reyes, Charley Sablan, Clarisse Torio, and Erica Tubera in Group Musical Theatre.

The remaining Thespians reached the second level (Excellent Rating):
Elizabeth Jones (with one Superior Rating) and Paula Talibong, Solo Musical Theatre; Jayrald Mercene with Yuuki Nishida, Duet Acting; Ocsheighnya Sablan (with one Superior Rating) and Nemerlyn Magat, Short Film. They were followed by John Ruoxiang Lu (with one Excellent Rating), Scenic Design

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

Festival’s Got Talent
Our Group Musical Theatre Team competed in the “Festival’s Got Talent” competition in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Johnny Carson Theatre. Their Choral prowess again made them the audience favorite bringing home their third Trophy from this event.

The Freestyle Theatre
The Team returned to Freestyle Theatre again this year with the original musical presentation “It Had To Be You” by Paul Dujua. The cast were members of the” Festival’s Got Talent Team.” Like the previous events it was a rousing success. The production received steady applause, cheers, and a standing ovation.

College Auditions
Our students entering their senior year auditioned for colleges and universities. These nine students accounted for 63 “Call Backs” (an institution’s desire to recruit the student) by 22 different colleges and universities. Six of these were Division 1 schools. Performers Diane Hermogenes, John Huevos, Jayrald Mercene, Yuuki Nishida, Joselle Reyes, Paula Talibong bagged 35, and Julia Espina, Nemerlyn Magat, and Ariane Reyes representing our Technical Theatre participants another 28. This is the largest number of “Call Backs” a CNMI Team has ever received. Among those universities who are recruiting our students are Texas Christian University, Farleigh-Dickenson University, DePaul University and The University of Colorado. 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 our programs and are hoping more will attend.

The Chapter Select Showcase
The entire team participated in the Chapter Select Showcase. This Showcase of one act plays performed at the UNL-Howell Theatre, are those specially qualified productions selected by the Educational Theatre Association to be presented at the Festival. This year’s CNMI Team was proud to continue this long-standing tradition. The production this year was the comedy “The Rehearsal” by Don Zolidis. 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. Special thanks to our Theatre Marketing representatives Julia Espina and Edna Nisola!
It was a great way to end our festival experience. (PR)