Drama students earn top awards

By Paige Lampson - Staff Writer - Galt Herald
Wednesday, February 13, 2013 12:37 PM CST

The Lenaea Festival is one of the oldest and largest high school theatre festivals, and students from both Liberty Ranch and Galt high schools were privileged to participate and compete this year. The advanced drama students of the Galt district competed in the amazing Three Stages Performing Arts Center at Folsom Lake College.

Students represented the Galt Joint Union High School District well and brought home seven significant awards, according to drama teacher James Nunes.

Eduardo A. Esqueda and Wyatt Irmen (GHS) in "Pvt. Wars" by James McClure won a first place gold medal for their scene. They were chosen the best out of 100 scenes, along with outstanding original script. Irmen and Esqueda gave a command performance in front of the whole festival.

Irmen says they needed more than class time to prepare for the festival.

"We took the time from our class, but still had to practice after school to prepare," said Irmen. "Thanks to the whole Drama 2 class, we couldn't have done it without your input."

Winning was an amazing moment for Irmen.

"How does anyone feel when they win? It felt amazing. I got a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of my tummy," said Irmen.

Esqueda saw the future at the festival.

"It was awe inspiring to see the beginning of the future of the entertainment industry from the 50 schools that were participating," said Esqueda.

"Since I want to major in theatre, it gives me a little hope that maybe I can thrive in this profession. It means a lot to be chosen by actual professionals in the field."

Josh Collier (LRHS), as Lucifer in Lord Byron's "Caine", won the Respondents Award for Favorite Performer with his monologue.

Second place silver medal went to Wyatt Irmen (GHS) as Joe Keller in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons".

Third place bronze medal went home with Esqueda (GHS) as King in Eugene Ionesco's "Exit the King".

"Goodkids" by Esqueda and Wyatt Irmen (student original) won Outstanding Original Script and was performed by Jamie Asher, Jessica Balfour, Angela Esqueda, Eduardo A. Esqueda (outstanding performance), Selina Flores, Jason Giacomini, Jessica Giacomini, Francisco Gudino, Beverly Harris, Wyatt Irmen, Heather Kasinger, Ashley Petersen, Brandon Ramirez, Courtney Ramirez, Mason Souza, Karlee Schnaible and Cheryl Weber-Silva.

Monologues were performed by Maddy Gallagher (LRHS) as Karen in Tracey Letts's "August Osage County", Jordan Osejo (LRHS) as George Deever in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons", Ashley Petersen (GHS) as Nora in Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll House", Sydney Sturdivant (LRHS) in "Hockey in the Eyes of a Player" (a student original), Cheryl Weber (GHS) as Mary in Kate Aspengren's "Mother's Day". Scenes were performed by Heather Kasinger and Ashley Petersen (GHS) in "The Apostle John" by Jeff Goode, Jordan Osejo and Josh Collier (LRHS) in "I Hate Hamlet" by Paul Rudnick, Noah Almager and Wyatt Martin (LRHS) in "Wonderful World" by Richard Dresser.

Wyatt Irmen (GHS) performed a musical solo called King Herod's Song from the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

Finally, a one-act play, "This is a Test", written by Steven Gregg, was performed by Liberty Ranch students Noah Almager, Joshua Collier, Madeleine Gallagher, Emma Lee, Wyatt Martin, Denali Meshew, Jordan Osejo, Sydney Sturdivant, Rachel Trull and Alexandra Serrano.