Trumbauer 2023
114 HIGH SCHOOLS COMPETED AT the 83nd ANNUAL WALTER TRUMBAUER HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL DECEMBER 1-2, 2023
The 83nd Walter Trumbauer Festival, the major event of the Alabama Conference of Theatre, was hosted at Troy University, Troy, AL on December 2-3. 2022. 104 High School Theatre Programs from throughout the state participated showcasing the talents of 2332 students. There were a total of 1291 individual theatre vents, 35 group performances, 14 studio shows and 14 one-act shows.
The Walter Trumbauer Festival has provided quality training and performance opportunities for Alabama theatre students at the high school level since 1940. The educational impact of this event is substantial. The festival consists of 31 individual events, group acting and group musical, a one act play festival, a studio theatre play festival—all for 9th through 12th grades, as well as scholarship auditions and college screening for high school seniors and junior college students. Students qualify for the state competition by earning a rating of “superior” at one of seven district festivals. At all levels of competition, students receive critiques from qualified teachers, professionals and theatre practitioners, allowing them to improve their theatrical skills. Friday and Saturday events culminate in an Awards Ceremony where trophies, plaques, medals, and other awards are presented to recognize outstanding work in technical categories and performance areas. Two one act productions are chosen to represent Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in the spring.
One-Act Theatre Awards:
Jefferson County Academy of Theatre and Dance’s production of Antigone, Now directed by Carl Dean and Opelika High School’s production of Quilt: A Musical Celebration directed by Revel Gholston will be advancing to compete at the Southeast Theatre Conference, March 13-16, 2024 in Mobile, AL.
Additional awards in One-Acts include:
| BEST TECHNICAL DESIGN | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| An Experiment | W.P.Davidson High School | Gloria Poorman |
| BEST SCENIC DESIGN | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| Echoes of Rognarok | Hunstville High School | Abby Gandy |
| BEST COSTUME DESIGN | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| Where Words Once Were | Bob Jones High School | Mary Davis |
| BEST ENSEMBLE | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| Antigone, Now | Jefferson County Academy of Theatre & Dance | Carl Dean |
| BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMERS | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | STUDENT |
| Leaving Iowa | Cullman High School | Bailee Henderson |
| Antigone, Now | Jefferson County Academy of Theatre & Dance | Jaela Pittman |
| BEST LEADING PERFORMERS | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | STUDENT |
| Antigone, Now | Jefferson County Academy of Theatre & Dance | Jaida Jackson-Davis |
| Alice by Heart | Wetumpka High School | Monica Velma |
| BEST IN SHOW 3 shows | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| An Experiment | W. P. Davidson High School | Gloria Poorman |
| Where Words Once Were | Bob Jones High School | Mary Davis |
| Alice by Heart | Wetumpka High School | Jeff Glass |
Awards in Studio Theatre Shows include:
| BEST ENSEMBLE | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| Julius Ceasar | Booker T Washington Magnet School | Jesmelia WIlliams |
| BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMERS 2 students | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | STUDENT |
| ZERO | Prattville High School | Zeke Jones |
| Julius Caesar | Booker T. Washington Magnet School | Lacey Whitlow |
| BEST LEADING PERFORMERS 2 students | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | STUDENT |
| They Promised Her the Moon | Alabama School of Cyber Tech & Engineering | Aniyah Turner |
| Julius Caesar | Booker T. Washington Magnet School | Sa’Mitra Hill |
| BEST IN SHOW | ||
| PLAY | SCHOOL | DIRECTOR |
| Ichabod! | UMS-Wright Preparatory School | Margaret Delaney |
| They Promised Her the Moon | Alabama School of Cyber Tech & Engine | Priscilla Krause |
| Julius Caesar | Booker T. Washington Magnet School | Jesmelia Williams |
For a complete list of awards, follow the link to:
A sampling of photos by Emily Allred, Emily Allred Photography, available for use, are located here: