Theatre is all about telling stories, and there is a great story being told at Putnam County High School (PCHS).
The Putnam Players’ production of Matilda the Musical Jr. was named Region Runner-Up at the region 4-AA One-Act Competition.
Additional awards for PCHS included Best Supporting Actor in Region (Aidan Brock), Best Supporting Actress in Region (Lily Roberts), all-star cast awards for Giana Hamlin and Georgia Hamlin, and Best Choreography.
The competition, hosted at Washington County High School in Sandersville, showcased the talent and hard work from theatre students across the region.
“The competition this year was fierce,” PCHS Director Anna Brock said. “There are some remarkable theatre programs in our region and to win region runner-up is a huge honor.”
Matilda the Musical Jr. is a musical retelling of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel about Matilda, a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence, and special powers. Unloved by her cruel parents, she impresses her schoolteacher, the loving and lovable Miss Honey.
But Matilda’s school life isn’t smooth sailing; the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and loves coming up with new punishments for those who break her rules.
However, Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts and helps those around find courage and strength in themselves to stand up for what’s right.
“Amanda Stover (music director) and I selected this show for our students not only because we knew they’d be able to perform it well, but also because it has a wonderful message,” Brock said.
“Throughout our lives, we encounter people who don’t believe in us and who try to tear us down.
But Matilda teaches us that it doesn’t matter how small we may be, we can always stand up for what’s right.”
This marks the second time the Putnam Players have performed a Roald Dahl story. They competed with James and the Giant Peach three years ago, when Best Supporting Actress winner Lily Roberts was a freshman and played the part of James.
“To tell another one of his stories, especially for One-Act, is just so special to me,” Roberts said. “It just wraps up high school in a little bow. And working with British accents again is fun.”
This production features 27 performers and 3 stage managers, and Best Supporting Actor Aidan Brock pointed out the awards won on Saturday reflect everyone’s hard work.
“I don’t think any of it would have been possible without the full cast.
Working together as an ensemble, it’s how we’ve been successful,” Brock said.
In addition to the competition performance and public performances later this week, the cast and crew enjoy touring the show to perform for other Putnam County students. The Putnam Players will perform Matilda the Musical Jr. at the Putnam County Black Box Theatre at 7 p.m. Oct. 26, 27, and 29th.
A special matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Oct. 29 also will feature a cookie-decorating, meetand- greet event with the cast for ticket holders following the performance. All tickets are $8 and must be purchased in advance at pccss.booktix. com. Contact Director Anna Brock for more information at anna. brock@putnam.k12. ga.us.
- Contributed