St. Luke’s Center Stage Triumphs at District Trumbauer Festival

T
he St. Luke's Center Stage theater group made a remarkable impact at this year's District Trumbauer High School Theatre Festival, bringing home an impressive collection of awards that showcased their exceptional talent and dedication. Competing against numerous schools from across the area, the students demonstrated not only their skills in performance but also their creativity and teamwork, quickly becoming a rising star in the district.

A Showcase of Talent

The Walter Trumbauer High School Theatre Festival, renowned for its competitive spirit and high standards, provides a platform for young performers to showcase their talents in various categories, including acting, technical design, and original productions. Scholarships and a chance to represent the state of Alabama in the Southeast Theatre Festival make this an exclusive and highly desirable destination for young thespians. To get there, performers must compete at their District Trumbauer Theatre Festival and earn a rating of Superior. This year's District Festival featured a wide range of performances, from classic plays to modern interpretations, and St. Luke's Center Stage theater was ready to impress.

Under the guidance of their passionate director, Hannah Grace Smith, the students prepared extensively, rehearsing for weeks leading up to the festival. Their hard work paid off as they delivered standout performances that captivated both the judges and the audience. With a focus on character development and emotional depth, the actors brought their roles to life, earning accolades for their engaging performances.

Award-Winning Performances

The highlight of the festival for St. Luke' Center Stage theater came during the awards ceremony, where they were recognized in several key categories. The group's studio piece received awards for Best Ensemble, Best in Show, and All-Star Cast among others. Individual performers also shone brightly, with 11 Superior ratings and 7 Excellent ratings.

These accolades are a testament to the hard work and commitment of the entire cast and crew. “These students amaze me more every day,” said Smith. Center Stage theater will head to the Trumbauer State Theatre Festival in December.

District Trumbauer Award Recipients

Studio Awards

• Best Ensemble
• Best in Show
• Jay Mansfield, Evelyn Cummings, Sophie Bitzer - All-Star Cast
• Chloe Lambert, Lily Liller - Best Lead Actress in a Studio Piece

Superior Ratings

• Brody Green - Varsity Pantomine
• Sophie Bitzer - Varsity Acting Comedic
• Ana Franco - Intermediate Acting Dramatic
• Reese Johnson - Novice Acting Comedic
• Rishi Gupta and CJ Robertson - Intermediate Duet Acting Comedic
• Jonah Dominescy and Hayden Jones - Intermediate Duet Acting Comedic
• Reese Browning - Intermediate Musical Comedic
• Evelyn Cummings - Varsity Musical Comedic
• Lilly Bufford and Reese Browning - Intermediate Duet Musical Dramatic
• CJ Robertson and Evelyn Cummings -Varsity Duet Musical Dramatic
• Jenna Simpson and Lilly Bufford - Novice Duet Musical Comedic

Excellent Ratings

• Jay Mansfield - Varsity Acting Dramatic
• Howie Johnson - Varsity Acting Comedic
• Calista Conway - Varsity Acting Dramatic
• Atli Johnston - Novice Acting Comedic
• Chloe Lambert - Varsity Acting Comedic
• Calista Conway and Chloe Lambert - Varsity Duet Musical Comedic
• Brody Green - Varsity Properties Design