The Canadian High School Wildcat Theatre Art program was named the 3A Overall Theatre Team State Champion for 2023 after contests held last week.

The Overall Theatre Team State Championship was based on CHS’s win as the One-Act Play State Runner-Up, the individual acting awards, and the Theatrical Design State results. The top three teams were separated by only one point. Canadian High School was 1st place; Mount Vernon High School, 1st Runner-Up; and Rogers High School, 2nd Runner-Up.

In the first contest, Chloe Westbrook and Nayroby Duarte competed in the UIL State Theatrical Design contest in Division 1. Westbrook placed 4th in Marketing Design and Nayroby Duarte competed in Costume.

Then, CHS actors performed their production of “Moon Over Buffalo,” becoming 1st Runner-Up winners in the 3A State One-Act Play contest. Corbin Throgmorton was named Best Performer as George Hay. Joy Stiner as Ethel was named to the All-Star Cast, and Clara Pulliam as Charlotte made the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast.

Mount Vernon High School won the State One-Act Championship with the play, “A Monster Calls.” Hempstead High School was 2nd Runner-Up with the play, “Oedipus El Rey.”

“The cast and crew of ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ gave their best performance ever at the One-Act Play State Championship,” said CHS Theatre Arts instructor Mistie Walser. “I expected them to shine, but they exceeded my expectations and absolutely killed it.  I didn’t know that we could get that much better.”

Other cast members of “Moon Over Buffalo” were: Ella Walser as Rosalind; Tucker Landry as Paul; Ethan Ferrar as Howard; Addi Wall as Eileen; Mason Drager as Richard; and the ensemble of Miranda Calabrese, Will Fry, Payton Wilkinson, and Nayroby Duarte.

Crew members were: Ashley Perry, stage manager; Avery Ratliff and Journey Wood, assistant stage managers; Presley Harper, costume; Jennifer de la Cruz, makeup; Xander McQuiddy-Gasparlin, lights; Annabell Gilmour, sound; and Alicia Munoz, backstage lights.

Alternates were: Ainsley Cook, Keller English, Konnar McClendon, and Myra Herrera. Travel Team: Nehemiah Harris, Dylan Leach, Ethan Gerhardt, Cole Walser, Emely Perez, Carlie Renfro, Jayla De La Cruz, and Oliva Pierce. Directors: Mistie Walser, Danielle Ortega, and Torra Wood.

At the invitation of State Rep. Ken King, the CHS One-Act Play team made a visit to the State Capitol during their time in Austin. Rep. King congratulated the group for their exceptional achievements.