Chelsea theatre advances in Trombauer competition

At the District Trumbauer competition on Nov. 3, Chelsea High School’s theatre department won best in show, best in technical production and best scenery for their production of one act play The Forgotten Door.

Francie Gardner, head of the theater department, said the students chose The Forgotten Door because they wanted “a lighter production.” The Forgotten Door also provided an opportunity for a large number of students to participate.

“Having a show that needed so many participants helps the actors and the program develop,” Gardner said. “The students enjoyed Trumbauer because they learned more about themselves as a group and individually as performers.”

The team is now preparing for state competition. The technical department is preparing and adding final touches to their set. The actors are also using the notes the judges gave them at Trumbauer to add more excitement to The Forgotten Door.

“I am improving my character and making him character have more depth,” senior Christian Emmerke said. Christian plays a war veteran who is seen as a fatherly figure.

Senior Brandi Batton, who acts as a farmer, said she is looking forward to branching out and meeting more people from different schools at the competition.

In addition to the performance of The Forgotten Door, students performed 82 acts individually and in pairs. Fifty-seven of the 62 students who attended Trumbauer are eligible to go to State.