Among Maricopa High School students earning top marks at CAFT were Carlos Venegas (center), who earned superiors in solo and group performance, Kjirsten Lemon (on floor), who also performed in solo and group competitions, Ivie Keene, Hannah Panter and Dylan Stradling (right), who recreated his role in The Philadelphia Story.

In their best competition yet, Maricopa High School Theatre Company had 16 students qualify for national competition with their performances in the Central Arizona Festival of Theatre on Saturday.

Acting and singing in solo, duet and group competitions, the MHS troupe performed at Mesa Community College. Those who scored the top mark of “Superior” are invited to the International Thespian Society National Competition in Lincoln, Nebraska, in June.

Student performers graded superior:

Carlos Venegas, senior, in solo musical category, performed “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. Carlos played the role of Jean Valjean in last spring’s production of this show at MHS.

Britney Montgomery, junior, solo musical, performed “Light in the Piazza” from the musical of the same name.

Kjirsten Lemon, sophomore, solo musical, performed “I Don’t Know What I’d Do Without You” from A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder.

Taryn Story, sophomore, solo musical, performed “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have” from On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

Dylan Stradling, senior, and Joycelyn Cabrera, junior, in the duo acting category, performed, a scene from The Philadelphia Story. Dylan reprised his role as C.K. Dexter Haven from the MHS production held last winter in the Lecture Hall.

Adrian Perdomo and Jalen Reyes, both juniors, duo acting, performed a scene from Blithe Spirit.

In the group musical category, a cast that included Carlos, Britney, Kjirsten, Adrian, Taryn, senior Nikolas Mase, senior Alyssa Hollingsworth, senior Kari Beijmowicz, sophomore Hannah Panter, junior Chaienne Zoller, sophomore Kade Kruse, sophomore Morgan Lee and junior Ivie Keene performed “Magic to Do” from Pippin.

Student performers graded excellent:

Hannah performed a musical duet with junior Collin Martin of “16 Going on 17” from The Sound of Music.

Also scoring excellent was a one-act play, directed by senior Tyler Curtis and starring Nikolas, senior Sarah Ledbetter, senior Mahkai Ball, senior Rachel Blakely and junior Natasha Nechvatal.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR