Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the production of
“High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986, this tale of religion, friendship,
love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
“High and Mighty” has come a long way since its premiere last year in the Vonnie Borden Theatre on November 17.
The musical written by Donna Gay Anderson and directed by theatre professor James Winter proved to be a big hit on campus, as well as in the world of college theater.
Although the musical was not selected to advance and compete at the Regional Festival, there is still much for the entire team to be proud of.
“High and Mighty” has received the following awards from The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival: meritorious achievement in the production of an original musical, which was awarded to the fine and performing arts department, meritorious achievement in scenic design, which was awarded to professor of theatre design and technical direction, scenic designer Steven Schepker and meritorious achievement in ensemble performance, awarded to the entire cast.
The Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival has had a pivotal role in improving the quality of college theater in the United States through its emphasis on professionalism, the celebration of diverse work and the creative process.
Regional festivals offer participants various activities including workshops, symposiums, scholarship and award programs, while also recognizing the best productions in each region.
KCACTF respondents have selected three actors to compete in the Irene Ryan Acting Competition at the Regional Festival, which will take place in San Angelo, Texas during February. Michelle Guillot, Neal Eli and Jaimee Rome were nominated.
According to Winter, winners of the regional competition will have the opportunity to win fellowships and scholarships while performing at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. at the National Festival in April.
Three more members of the cast are to compete in this year’s Regional Festival. The nominees for the Musical Theatre Initiative are Kalee Broussard, Rachel Davis and Provence Hatfield.
According to Winter, the winner of the regional round of the Musical Theatre Initiative will receive a scholarship to study at The Open Jar Institute in New York City and will also have the opportunity to perform at the National Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
According to Winter, student designers for the production, Kelsey Hymel, Taylor Sinclair and Anthony Gary will also be presenting their design work at the Regional Festival, and the student designers will have the opportunity to compete to attend the National Festival in Washington, D.C. to win other scholarships, awards and fellowships.
“This is the first time in the history of the Fine and Performing Arts Department at Southeastern that six student actors from a single production have been chosen by the Kennedy Center to compete at the Regional Festival,” said Winter. “It is an honor for any student to compete in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. They will learn so much and meet so many people. It is a wonderful networking and learning opportunity. They’ll also have an opportunity to see full productions of some of our region’s best theatrical offerings of 2015.”
According to Schepker, after receiving feedback, the cast was invited to perform the first few scenes of the show at the Regional Festival.
“One of the reasons the production is recognized is because it’s a world premiere musical,” said Schepker. “It’s unusual for a college of our size to produce a world premiere musical.”
According to production stage manager, Lydia Caballero, the show was submitted to the KCACTF by the theatre faculty.
Preparation for the competition will be different from the original play because students will participate in individual competitions.
“In many ways, the Irene Ryan’s and the MTI’s are almost like auditions,” said Winter. “The design students display their work and their research [and] are given feedback by professionals and educators in the field. Winners are selected based on a number of factors.”
Junior general studies major Olivia Waguespack, plays B2, Bernie’s “conscience” in “High and Mighty.” Waguespack describes the different process that she is going through as a transition into the competition.
“When preparing for competition, I am actively trying to find scenes and roles that I feel would showcase my strengths and those of my partner,” said Waguespack. “I think the most important element in competition is preparedness. I look forward to perfecting our scenes and finding our rhythm to perform these scenes to the best of our ability.”
The success of “High and Mighty” has truly been a team effort composed of student and faculty in various areas. Senior general studies major Anthony Gary believes that in theatre, the cast has become more of a family rather than a team.
“Teamwork is crucial for everything,” said Gary. “The director, management, designers, actors and crew need to be on the same foundation or everything could tumble down.”
Winter believes that the recent success of the musical could increase administrative support of bringing a four-year theatre degree back to Southeastern.
“Our students consistently turn out some of the strongest theatrical work in the state,” said Winter. “They deserve a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre for their efforts.”
Despite this being the first musical that Winter has directed, he did not disappoint. With the help of an original musical, a talented cast and crew and an exhilarating performance, the team of “High and Mighty” made a mark.
“In the end, I really had so little to do with the success,” said Winter. “My job was somewhat easy. I just had to take all of this wonderful talent and shape it into a unified whole. My colleagues, cast and playwright really deserve all of the credit.”
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the
production of “High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986, this tale of religion,
friendship, love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the
production of “High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986, this tale of religion,
friendship, love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the production of
“High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986, this tale of religion, friendship,
love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the production of
“High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986, this tale of religion, friendship, love
and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the production of
“High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986,
this tale of religion, friendship, love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green
Actors entered a world set in the mid-1980s in a New York City upper east side Presbyterian Church for the production
of “High and Mighty.” As the first musical in the Vonnie Borden Theatre since 1986,
this tale of religion, friendship, love and secrecy received high praise.
The Lion’s Roar / Larshell Green