MBA Theater Department to Compete in Southeastern Convention this Weekend
On October 24, MBA’s production of Nick Patricca’s play, The Fifth Sun, came in second place in the state at the Tennessee Theater Association’s one-act play competition, held at Maryville College. As a result, the play, directed by Rick Seay, will be representing Tennessee at the Southeastern Theater Convention’s annual conference in March. This is the fifth time since 2006 that MBA has represented Tennessee at this prestigious competition. MBA was very fortunate to have had the playwright as the school’s fall artist-in-residence, working with the theater students for the week leading up to the presentation.
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The Fifth Sun is a highly theatrical piece that tells the story of Oscar Romero. On March 24, 1980, Romero, archbishop of San Salvador, was assassinated during mass. The very powerful play presents the story of the people and the forces that transformed an ordinary man into a courageous leader. It combines elements of ancient tomb rituals, Mayan temple dramas, and medieval morality plays into a contemporary structure in which the audience witnesses a human being ultimately embody the moral voice and vision of his people.
Portraying Romero is Jess Darnell (2015). Others in the cast and crew include James Matthews, Eliza Trost (of Harpeth Hall), Donny Abel, Alec Giammalvo, William Hall, Daniel Maynard, Neal Hawkins, Drew Gordon, Tanner McCormick, Jack Capizzi, Jamie Payne, Harrison Avery, and Will Trotman.
Besides the 2nd-place trophy at the state competition, both James Matthews and Eliza Trost were named to the All-Star Cast List. The judges created a special ensemble acting award for the four guardians (Donny Abel, Alec Giammalvo, William Hall, and Daniel Maynard). Senior Jess Darnell was named Best Actor for the entire competition. As a sophomore, Darnell won Best Actor at the Southeastern Theater Convention’s competition for his portrayal of Frederick Treves in The Elephant Man.
Montgomery Bell Academy
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