The ATC opened the 2005 MIFA theatre festival season with the strongest district showing for any ATC produciton in recent memory, thanks to a solid performance by the cast, tight execution from the crew, a great audience, and will to do well!!North Branch HS was the site this year, featuring AHS, North Branch, Cheasening, Flint Carman Ainsworth, Pigeon Laker and newcomer Hartland HS.All six schools scored well enough to advance to regional competition on Feb 12th, but Avondale was the only school to come away with a "1" rating, and scores of 96, 96, and 90. The best showing in a long, long time for an ATC production.Host North Branch opened the festival with a two-person tour de force of storytelling as they staged a unique version of "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe." Hartland HS had the audience in stitches with its farce "Hard Candy" about a revolving door of job interviews. Laker HS rolled back the hands of time and music with "Leader of the Pack," while Cheasening machoed out the stage with "Pirates of Penzance". The day ended with Carman Ainsworth's satire on art criticism, "The Apple."In addition to the high ranking, AHS garnered a slew of individual awards as well.Earning "Excellent" awards were Julie Spittle and Keriann Kaminski for their choreography. But picking up "Superior Honors", the highest individual recognition awarded through MIFA were Jeff LaMothe as Charlie Brown, Olivia Sitto as Lucy, and Sam Mixson for his vocal work in "Beethoven Day". Joe Parente's light crew also won a superior award, and the cast picked up two ensemble superiors for "The Book Report" and "Happiness".All in all, a pretty good day.
The ATC traveled to St Johns HS on Saturday, Feb 12th for what would prove to the tighest Regional site in the state-wide festival and came out with a "1" rating, qualifying for the state finals this coming weekend!!Picking up "Excellent Awards" were Adrian Mangiuca for his performance as Linus, Jackie Hayes & Caitlin Hall for the prop design, and Scott Bishop, Evan Clifford, and Alison Sieh for the set design. Jeff LaMothe (Charlie Brown) and Sam Mixson (Schroder) made it 2-for-2 with "Superior Awards" for their onstage performances.Midland HS' Blithe Spirit split the top judges' votes with Avondale, but ended up winning the overall festival Saturday. However, the ATC's scores earned Charlie Brown a wild-card slot for the "big show"The 35th MIFA State Finals ended as 13 shows took to the stage and wowed the audience on various levels.AHS opened the festival with a bang as Charlie Brown hit the stage to very positive audience feedback and a relatively strong critique.At the end of the festival, AHS walked away with excellent awards for Jeff LaMothe and Olivia Sitto as Charlie Brown and Lucy, for the prop design (Jackie Hayes and Caitlin Hall), for choreography (Julie Spittle and Keriann Kaminski), and, with great celebration, for Juliette Andre as Sally.Becky Slogeris took home the ATC's only superior award for her new and inventive program'Thanks to all! What a ride!!
