Cape theatre students take first place in Delaware Theatre Association competition
Students enrolled in the Cape Henlopen Theatre Academy won first place in the recent Delaware Theatre Association Festival for their interpretation of William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and have been invited to compete at the Eastern States Theatre Association Festival regional finals in May.
DTA is an organization founded to support performance arts in Delaware. It is is part of the Eastern States Theatre Association, which, in turn, is Region II of the American Association of Community Theaters.
Students had been working around the clock to prepare for their main stage production of "The Crucible," which opened April 4, as well as prepare two additional scenes for the adjudication. Their hard work paid off. Cast and director were commended by the adjudicators for “such thorough command of the language and its subtext, as well as for their take-no-prisoners execution…their performance of the rude mechanicals from 'Midsummer' was thoughtfully directed, truthfully acted, and boldly presented. “
Cape Henlopen High School Theatre Academy students were also recognized with a discretionary award for Best Ensemble (a rarely attained honor), and Emily Stanton also earned an award for her performance of Elizabeth Proctor in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." Cape Theatre Academy Director Martha Pfeiffer was also honored as Best Director for "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."
Cape students will perform Act V from William Shakespeare’s "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" at the ESTA regional festival Saturday, May 3. The Eastern States Theatre Association comprises of the five member organizations representing the states of New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey (inactive). Its primary functions are to hold the annual ESTA Festival to select the best of the best of the ESTA region and to encourage and support original works through education and networking.
"The Crucible" continues its run this weekend, April 11,12 and 13. Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinee is at 2 p.m.
