Norcross Theatre Arts - State Champs

NORCROSS, GA (November 16, 2009) - Norcross High School's talented Theatre Arts students won the Georgia AAAAA One-Act Play November 14.

Top honors went to the cast, crew and director of "Lost in Yonkers," the Neil Simon play about two young teen boys sent to live with their domineering grandmother and eccentric relatives in Yonkers during World War II. "Yonkers" prevailed over seven other plays from other regions around the state. Director Gina Parrish, at the helm of Norcross Theatre Arts for 18 years, has won the regional competition several times over the years but this was her first state champion trophy. "I am so very proud of all these kids," she said as she held the trophy high on their behalf. "They worked so hard and put on a very inspiring performance."

In addition to the play being selected as Best Production, four cast members were also singled out for their performances. Senior David Iduate, who played older brother Jay and won Best Actor in the regional competition in October, also won Best Actor in the state. Junior Erika Miranda, playing the ditzy but lovable Bella, was named Best Actress in the state. Named to the state "All Star" team as supporting actors/actresses were Senior Christiana Weaver as Grandma and Junior Braian Rivera as younger brother Artie. All cast members, including Senior Ben Presley, Junior Emily Brannon and Junior Andrew Schwab, and Stage Manager Rachel Hackett, received medals for their participation in the state champion production.

It was a long day full of exceptional theatrical performances that ran the gamut from intense Vietnam-era drama (Milton High School's "A Piece of My Heart") to amusing musical (Parkview High Schoool's "Putnam County Spelling Bee") to classic Dickens (Kennesaw Mountain High School's "Oliver Twist") to thought-provoking spiritual piece (Warner Robins High School's "Anatomy of Grey"). But Norcross's excellent cast, director, set and crew swept the major awards and a couple of minor prizes as well. 

Watching these kids, and their proud parents and friends, as the awards were announced was absolutely exhilarating. 

The Norcross Theatre Arts community thanks all its patrons and community theatregoers who attend the shows and support the students in their hard work and extraordinary talent, which paid off handsomely this year.

You might want to plan to attend any or all of the four upcoming NHS theatre productions scheduled for the remainder of this school year: "Scrooge" in December, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" in January, "Play On" in February and the spring musical, "Damn Yankees," in April. Reminder emails with more details will be sent out as those shows approach.