Monsignor Edward Pace High School’s thespians and students from its Academy of Visual & Performing Arts Theatre Program held their annual Thespian Gala Showcase inside the Spartan Center on January 28.
Thespians showcased the performances that won them 16 major awards and earned three of their performers scholarship auditions at the International Thespian Society District Competitions.
The masquerade-themed evening featured performances such as group musicals, spoken word monologues, and even a piece from the current Broadway hit Hamilton.
For a musical medley, a group of senior thespians were joined by Cristina Pla-Guzman, lead teacher for the Drama Academy Theatre Program. Under Pla-Guzman’s tutelage, the Pace drama program has qualified for State competitions for nine straight years.
19 Pace thespians competed in District competitions, with Pace senior Leslie Castiblanco taking home the Critic’s Choice Best in District award for Costume Design. She was also recently accepted into the Savannah College of Art & Design’s Fashion Design Program.
Pace thespians won Superiors (First Place) in the categories of Large Group, Monologue, Duet Acting, Duet Musical, and Costume Design, with two awards in both the Solo Musical and Publicity Design categories. They also won Excellents (Second Place) in the categories of Small Group Musical and Solo Musical, including two Excellents in both Monologue and Playwriting. As a result of their award-winning performances, seniors Antonio Rodriguez, Victoria Jebian, and Therese Callison were called to give scholarship auditions at the competitions.
The Pace thespians will be competing for the ninth straight time at the International Thespian Society’s State competitions in March. Pace’s Drama program is currently preparing for its spring musical production of Chicago, with performances on April 20, 21, and 22. Tickets are $12 pre-sale and available by contacting cplaguzman@pacehs.com.