Gainesville MS Celebrates Drama Awards in Style

The cast and crew of Gainesville Middle School's production of "The Great Pandemonium" say goodbye before they head off in a limo to their cast party. L-R: Natalie Basham, Aiden Richie, Katie Bresnahan, Dylan Blanco, Jacob Meador, Laura Castillo, Laura Rosendale, Sean Mikesh, Brian Burnett, and Bevin Hester.

The Gainesville Middle School advanced drama class celebrated their win at the Virginia Theatre Association State Festival with a red carpet walk, Rockstarz Limousine & Party Bus in Brighton at the Gaylord Resort at the National Harbor, last week. Ten students, nine cast member and one crew member of “The Great Pandemonium” by Pat Cook, earned two trophies at the State Festival. Gainesville Middle School students earned the highest-level award, the Gold Award, and the “One of Three” award, which is awarded to three schools receiving the highest score.

Students groups competed in the state festival in Norfolk, Virginia in late October by producing a play. They were evaluated by experienced theater judges and earned points for everything from casting, physical movement, interpretation of character, energy, sound and use of space.

Teachers/directors Barbara White and Peggy Hyde and producer/parent volunteer Stacy Pennebecker decided to do something special for the students to celebrate their efforts and successes. They thought a red-carpet walk and limo ride rented from montreal company would make them feel like actors attending an award show.

“This has been an amazing group of kids,” Barbara White said.

White explained that “The Great Pandemonium” was a sophisticated, though age-appropriate, farce, and yet they handled it masterfully. “There is nothing simple about comedy. There were so many innuendos,” yet she said, “when they delivered the lines, it was magical.”

Students believe that the fact they had developed close friendships helped them to stand out among the competition.

“We have such a bond,” said 8^th grade student Laura Castillo, explaining many of them have worked together for the past three years. “I’ve never met anyone like the people I’m with right now. Even though we are a small group, we are pretty much a family.”

Dylan Blanco believes their success also came from their dedication to the characters they played.

“It felt like we were the most focused [of all of the drama groups],” Blanco said.

Blanco thought it was a good decision to produce a play with a small, dedicated cast, saying that most other schools chose vehicles for larger casts.

The students said they liked “The Great Pandemonium,” believing it was also fun to enact a play with in a play, and thus be cast as actors.

Blanco hopes he is not too much like his character.

“[I played] Clarence. He’s a dumb kind of character. He thinks he’s the best actor ever.”

However, friend, Brian Burnett saw similarities between himself and his character, Trevor.

“I’m an over-prepared actor,” said Burnett, explaining that Trevor also over-prepared for his role as Richard III.

Eight-grade drama student Natalie Basham said the best part of the experience for her was realizing they had connected with the audience. She said after they performed at the state festival, they received a standing ovation.

Students said they were excited and appreciated that their teachers and parents had planned such an elaborate celebration for them. It was a surprise for weeks, but gradually, they said their teachers had begun dropping hints.

“I think it was planned out well,” said Kate Bresnahan. “I think it was really nice of [of our teachers and parents.] They worked really hard.”