The Queen Creek High School Theatre Company recently competed in the International Thespian Society National Qualifying Competition and earned a "Superior" in 34 events, setting a new school record at one competition.
"Considering that it has been over two years since the last competition and the majority of the students were first-time competitors, we are extremely proud to honor these amazing students," said Kyle Spitler, theater director at Queen Creek High School.
National Qualifiers in Technical Theater for Theater Marketing: Aubrey Puzder; Kelsi Andersen*; Noel Enyart*; Costume Construction; Max Blankenship*; Jaycee White*; Rustin Brandon; Light Design; Kelsi Andersen* and Jeremiah Poirier*.
National Qualifiers in Technical Theater for Costume Design: Mae Platt* and Jaycee White*.
National Qualifiers in Technical Theater for Stage Management: Madison Lundstrom and Kelsi Anderson*.
National Qualifiers in Technical Theater for Tech Challenge: Sarah Duncan; Noel Enyart; Madison Lundstrom and Max Balnkenship* came in second. Noel Enyart* came in first place for Knot Tie.
(*CTE Stagecraft Qualifying Students)
National Qualifiers in Performance Theater for Solo Musical: Rayla Everson; Madison Lundstrom; Aubrey Puzder; Trinity Muniz; Raquel Murrietta and Madelynn Atkinson.
National Qualifiers in Performance Theater for Duet Musical: Rustin Brandon and Madelynn Atkinson; Matilda Green and Tori Ferguson; Rayla Everson and Jaxon Ballingham.
National Qualifiers in Performance Theater for Group Musical: "One Day More," directed by Scotty Hagen and "Bring My Baby Home," directed by Kelsi Andersen.
National Qualifier in Performance Theater for Monologue was Colette Davis.
National Qualifiers in Performance Theater for Duo Acting: Gregor Hocknull and Marcos Martinez; Raquel Murrietta and Mason Lindsey; Madison Lundstrom and Rustin Brandon; Kaitlyn Clark and Josey Norgren; Scotty Hagen and Matilda Green.
National Qualifiers in Performance Theater for Group Acting: "An Enemy of the People," directed by Madison Lundstrom and "After the Nightmare," directed by Trinity Muniz.
MTCA 2022 Awards for Solo Performance: third place Aubrey Pudzer, 11th grade; third place Trinity Muniz, 12th grade; and fourth place Scotty Hagen. 12th grade.
MTCA 2022 Award for Set Design: Chris Hagen, "Hunchback of Notre Dame," second place.
MTCA 2022 Award for Costume design: Sarah Duncan Kinky Boots, second place.
MTCA 2022 Awards for Makeup/Hair: Jaycee White, "Hunchback of Notre Dame," first place and Sarah Duncan, "Kinky Boots," second place.
MTCA 2022 Awards for Duets: Aubrey Pudzer and Rayla Everson, third place, 11th grade; and Scotty Hagen and Trinity Muniz, fourth place, 12th grade.
MTCA 2022 Awards for Tech Olympics awards silver, second overall for Queen Creek High.
MTCA 2022 Awards for Group Ensemble Production Advanced: Second place, "Come From Away," directed by Kelsi Andersen and Scotty Hagen.
"Next is the Musical Theater Competition of America. This is a competition for schools and performing art conservatories around the country," Spitler said. "Colette Davis, Mason Lindsey and Trinity Muniz were selected to perform with Broadway star Nikki Snelson from 'Legally Blonde the Musical' and 'A Chorus Line.'"
Students also had the chance to simulate what an open call audition really looks like in the theater industry.
"Students were sent sheet music and a dance routine to learn beforehand and then went through the process of the open call in hopes to be casted in the final performance the next day," Spitler said. "Queen Creek High School Theatre had four students cast in the 'Hairspray' production of 'You Can’t Stop the Beat;' Jaxon Ballingham, Madison Lundstrom, Raquel Murrietta and Madelynn Atkinson. Trinity Muniz and Rayla Everson were selected based on their solo performance to do a special workshop with Broadway's Ansistasa Christy Altomare."
