“It was a joy,” said Natasha Tolleson, theater arts director. “The kids put their heart into this. They were instrumental in everything it took to get as far as they did.”
The group design team won the state championship for “Hamlet” that included coordinated set design, costume design and publicity design. Design students include Claressa Caswell, Molly Farrell, Lauren Mann, Brynn Maxfield, Yvonne van Hoss, Tyler Weldin and Evan Wright.
“They were ecstatic,” Ms. Tolleson said. “That’s a young design team made up of freshman and sophomores.”
The design competition is in its third year and includes schools from all conferences from 1A to 5A. Three cast members took individual awards home for “Valhalla” as well. Cory Kosel received both the best actor in Texas and outstanding performer in Texas (Samuel French Award) for the second year in a row.
“Cory was speechless after the award,” Ms. Tolleson said. “He’s such a hard worker and I think all the attention was a little overwhelming. He just felt like he was doing his job.”
Emily Kleypas was named to the state all-star cast and Trenton Schneiders was named to the honorable mention all-star cast.
Temple won the state contest in 2007 with “Ruthless.” This is the third time in six years the THS one-act play advanced to state and the fourth time in school history. Temple advanced to the state competition in 1969 and in 2001.
Before announcing Kosel as outstanding performer, Kenneth Dingledine, publications manager for Samuel French Inc., praised Texas for its participation in theater arts.
“It’s good to see that theater is alive and well in Texas,” Dingledine said. “You should be really proud of yourselves for what you’ve done today.”
Temple won the state contest in 2007 with “Ruthless.” This is the third time in six years the THS one-act play advanced to state and the fourth time in school history. Temple advanced to the state competition in 1969 and in 2001.
A public performance at Temple High School will be held this week. The time and date will be announced later.
“Valhalla” cast and crew:
• Trenton Schneiders - Ludwig of Bavaria• Cory Kosel - James Avery• Shalyssa Wright - Margaret Avery and James’ mother• Emily Kleypas - Sally Mortimer• Megan Foster - Queen Marie and Ludwig’s Mother• Anthony Guillen - Henry Lee Stafford• Matt Rublee - Footman• Chris Greene - Otto and Ludwig’s Younger Brother• Matt Rublee - Helmut and Ludwig’s Fitness Instructor• Evan Clawson - Johannes Pfeiffer and The Royal Secretary• Stephanie Scherer - Princess Patricia of Prussia• Alexandra Tolleson - Princess Enid of England• Chris Greene - Princess Ursula the Unusual of Albania• Rachael Petersen - Princess Sophie of Austria• Chris Greene - Reverend Howesberry• Megan Foster - Natalie Kippelbaum and Tour Guide• Emily Kleypas - Annie Avery• Thumper Gosney - hair and make-up• Nathan Graham - stage manager• Adam Nottingham - lights• Phillip Vriseno - sound• Natasha Tolleson, Greg Stanley - Directors• UIL Alternates - Corrie Hermans, Evan Wright, Scott Ray and Sarah Jo White• The Onsite Traveling Crew - Chris Burrow, Claressa Caswell, Brooke Fader, Anya Godigamuwe, Shannon Graham, Amy Greene, Stacy Henderson, Farrell Matthews, Elizabeth Pasichnyk, Kathryn Pasichnyk, John Patterson, James Roeder, Samantha Sheffer, Danielle Spencer, Rachel Ann Stonestreet and Tyler Winkler.
