Students learn about theatre in Garcia Project 5/13/2009 1:00 AM
By ROB NOVIT Senior writer
Two young performers - Ridge Spring-Monetta High School junior Corsica Bussey and Wagener-Salley High School sophomore Samuel Leguizamon - took on challenging roles and were named best actors at the recent Garcia Theatre Project.
Four county high schools competed with one-act plays during the event, held at USC Aiken's Etherredge Center recently. RS-M also captured first place, with Aiken High School taking second for "Girl Town."
North Augusta High also participated in the contest, which is named in honor of sponsors Karen and Carlos Garcia of Aiken. Public Education Partners coordinates the production in collaboration with USCA and the school district.
Bussey and sophomore Katie Miller, named to the All-Star team, appeared in the two-person drama "Love Is Not an Angry Thing," by Daniel Kehde. Advisor Kerry Jackson said the play provided an opportunity for her students to get on stage and express themselves.
Miller and Bussey portrayed high school freshmen whose long friendship is strained when Miller's character Tina enters a relationship with an older guy that becomes abusive. Tina breaks it off, then goes back to the guy without telling Margie (Bussey). The play ends tragically, and Margie must cope with the loss of her friend.
"Being involved in the Garcia Project was a great experience," said Bussey via e-mail. The play's subject "is one that everyone should be aware of. The support of the audience really helped me to overcome my stage fright and be myself."
The Wagener-Salley production of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" was adapted by teachers Heather Loy and Tami Shaffer. The play had three other cast members, but Leguizamon had the only speaking part as the narrator. He praised Shaffer for helping him bring out the narrator's character.
"It was extremely exciting to get the best actor award," Leguizamon said, also through e-mail. "I worked hard for several months, and memorized a lot of lines. I can't wait to start on a play for next year."
Other All-Star cast members were Simone Diggs, Morgan Hall, Christian Taylor and Erin Kelly, all from Aiken High; and Ashley Adams and Michael Danforth, both from North Augusta High. Special awards, including crew work, went to Davis Watts from North Augusta High; Eden Wells from W-S High; Kela Quattlebaum from RS-M; and Erin Kelly from AHS. Jen Harling of North Augusta High was recognized for outstanding achievement by a student director. Wagener-Salley won for best costumes and set, while North Augusta had best lighting and sound.
USCA sophomore and theater major Lauren Jenkins was delighted that Aiken High chose "Girl Town." She was in the same play in the same event four years ago and portrayed the same two roles as Erin Kelly.
"'The Garcia Project' started theater for me," Jenkins said. "It's nice seeing them do the same play."
It's exciting to see the schools throughout the county come together for the theater project, said PEP Assistant Director Natalie Fox.
"Every year they get better and better," she said. "The most exciting part is seeing the growth in the faculty sponsors as well as the students."
Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.
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