FBISD thespians win big at annual festival

By Landan Kuhlmann

LKuhlmann@fortbendstar.com

A number of Fort Bend ISD high school students recently took center stage at this year’s Texas State Thespian Festival.

The theatre festival, held virtually due to COVID-19, included hundreds of drama students and teachers from throughout the state over four Saturdays from Oct. 24-Dec. 5. Participants attended workshops, auditioned for collegiate programs and scholarships, and competed in individual and group events.

Among the state’s honorees from FBISD schools were Ridge Point High School’s Myles Keys, who won a $2,000 scholarship. Austin’s Caitlyn Harris and Clements’ Pradanya Subramanyan each won $1,500 scholarships. Ridge Point’s Talya Hammerman was also selected as a State Thespian Officer.

A complete list of students qualifying for nationals in both group and individual events is below:

Solo Musical

Erin Brogan – Ridge Point

Arwen Costello – Elkins

Mia Harryman – Dulles

Crystal Ike – Kempner

Emma Kuo – Clements

Lola Miertschin – Kempner

Briana Martinez – Austin

Jordan Okeke – Bush

Rachel Omotoso – Bush

Nicholas Pizzuti – Ridge Point

Amelia Vandiver – Austin

Andrea Vargas – Clements

Payton Wolff – Kempner

Monologue

Chloe Arceneaux – Dulles

Eloka Dike – Kempner

Rhonor Efe – Bush

Mikijah Gaines – Kempner

Kayla Johnsen – Austin

Courtney Menefee – Dulles

Alexander Pham – Clements

Tori Poole – Clements

Scenic Design

Sabah Azam – Kempner

Julie Pham – Kempner

Zach Sharer – Kempner

Costume construction

Isabella Tinnin – Austin

Theatrical marketing

Isabella Marino – Clements

Lighting Design

Kaitlyn Millikin – Clements

State Management

Pradanya Subramanyan – Clements

Duet Acting

Theresa Ezeani/Noel Obi – Bush

Katherine Benton/Madeline Lumley – Ridge Point

Maxey Levinton/Dalena Locklear – Ridge Point

Duet Musical

Jaycie Voller/Paige Yepsen – Clements