For the third time in nine years the Habersham Central Stage Raiders are heading to State.
The school’s theater group took first place in the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Region 8-AAAAAA One Act Play competition. Seven schools participated in the competition which was held Oct. 20 at Gainesville High School.
Gainesville won last year’s competition. This year they placed second behind the Stage Raiders’ One Act adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.
Several Stage Raiders also won individual awards during the competition. Rylan Pugh won Best Actor; Justin Williams was named Best Supporting Actor; Ellawyn Ketch won Best Supporting Actress; and Kendall McShane and Grace Wills were named to the All-Star Cast.
The Stage Raiders will compete in the State 8-AAAAAA One Act Play competition Nov. 3 at Veterans High School in Kathleen, GA.
Expanding horizons
This marks the first time Habersham Central’s theater group has won the competition since the school moved into 8-AAAAAA two years ago. (The Stage Raiders’ last Region win was in 2015 when Habersham Central was still in 6-AAAAAA. Before that, HCHS won Region in 2009 under the direction of Jenny Sanders.)
“I’m ecstatic, but more importantly, proud of my students,” says HCHS drama teacher Jeremy Bishop. “These kids worked so hard. This particular group is not only enthusiastic about competition, but has a true love for theatre, and it really shows.”
As thrilled as he is about winning, this seventh year drama teacher is perhaps even more thrilled about seeing his students expand their artistic horizons. “I’ve loved The Importance of Being Earnest since I was a teenager, and now my cast loves it as much as I ever did,” Bishop says. “It is truly remarkable to watch an appreciation for the classics be born in a younger generation.” He adds, “It’s a privilege and joy to teach at Central. I’m daily humbled by how blessed I am.”
Upcoming performances
Bishop offers strong praise for the Stage Raiders. He calls them, “Talented, hardworking, humble, team-oriented…the complete package.”
That talent and hard work will be on display for the community to enjoy next month. The Stage Raiders will perform their award-winning One Act on Thursday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Habersham Central High School Auditorium in Mt. Airy.
The theater troupe is also putting the final touches on some children’s shows they plan to take into the elementary and middle schools. Their goal is to perform a play in every school in Habersham County this year.
The Stage Raiders have several community-wide performances planned this school year. Planned productions include Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and the comedic murder mystery Clue. Guest director Caroline Morris will oversee the production of Clue. It will be featured as a dessert show. For the spring musical, the Stage Raiders plan to perform Little Shop of Horrors.
For updates on performance dates and tickets, follow www.stageraiders.com.
