McLean High School Theatre Company (MTC) recently earned 21 national, state and local theater recognitions from the YoungArts Foundation, Virginia Thespians and DCMetrotheaterarts.com respectively. Nearly all recognized appear in MTC’s upcoming regional premiere of “Big Fish,” running February 16, 19–22 at McLean’s Burks Auditorium.
The YoungArts Foundation recognized Alex Stone as one of fifteen national finalists in their Spoken and Musical Theater category. Each year, there are approximately 11,000 applications to YoungArts from 15-18 year old artists, and from these, approximately 170 national finalists are selected in the disciplines of cinematic arts, dance, design arts, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice and writing. As a national finalist, Stone attended YoungArts Week in Miami, Fla., January 4–11, performed at Miami’s New World Center and will be considered for nomination as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts. His rendition of “The Lady Must Be Mad”, from the “Illyria” by Peter Mills, can be viewed at http://youtu.be/ji_JKBocGN4.
At the Virginia Thespian’s annual conference, five McLean students received accomplished ratings in the Individual Event competition and are eligible to appear in the National Individual Events Showcase at the International Thespian Conference in Lincoln, NE, June 22–27. Students receiving top honors in monologues include Sam Brumbaugh, presenting selections from Asylum by Sonja Linden and “Down the Rabbit Hole” by David P Henderson, Ray Clardy, performing pieces from “Juicy & Delicious” by Benh Zeitlin and Lucy Alibar and “Looking for Normal” by Jane Anderson, Thomas Kelty presenting selections from “Frankenstein,” adapted by R.N. Sandberg, and “The 39 Steps” adapted by Patrick Barlow and Zoe Le Menestrel performing pieces from “Not about Nightingales” by Tennessee Williams and “The Learned Ladies” by Moliere.
Matt Lucero also garnered the top rating in the Solo Musical category performing “Where's the Girl?” from “The Scarlet Pimpernel” by Frank Wildhorn.
Locally MTC and its members received 15 recognitions from DCMetrotheaterarts.com. Company awards include Best High School Production - “Catch Me If You Can” and “The Addams Family,” Best Scenic Design - Marielle Burt and Best Ensemble both for “Catch Me If You Can.” MTC members recognized in the Best Performance in a High School or Training Program category include Lily Lord, Jack Posey, Nancy Pruett and Alex Stone for “Catch Me If You Can” and Sam Brumbaugh, Helena Doms, Emma Gold and Diana Suk for “The Addams Family.” MTC cast members also acclaimed for their work about town including Rachel Lawhead in Levine School of Music's “Sweeney Todd,” Jack Posey in Theater Lab's “Evita” and Alex Stone in Levine's “Sweeney Todd” and in YoungArtists of America's “Songs for a New World” with Jason Robert Brown.
MTC next presents the regional premiere of “Big Fish” with six performances running Feb 16, 19–22. The production kicks off with a special Presidents’ Day preview performance Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. when members of Broadway’s “Big Fish” cast and crew are invited. Visit www.mcleandrama.com for tickets.
McLean Theatre Company is comprised of students, parents and teachers at McLean High School working together to produce challenging and award winning theatrical productions. The home of McLean Theatre Company is the 600 seat Burks Auditorium and the more intimate 75 seat Black Box Theater at 1633 Davidson Road, McLean, Va.