MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA – Superintendent Pam Beaudoin and Principal Patricia Puglisi have announced that Manchester Essex Regional High School students will be performing in the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) State Drama Festival next month.
MERHS students are currently rehearsing “Burglars, Bunglers and Neighborhood Thieves” under the direction of teacher Gianna Baglioni Mathias. Manchester Essex will be one of eight schools performing in a preliminary round competition on Saturday, March 4, at North Reading High School, 191 Park St., with a snow date of Sunday, March 5. Manchester Essex students will take the stage at 3 p.m.
The State Drama Festival typically includes more than 100 one-act plays produced by member high schools and performed at regional competitions. Student excellence in acting and technical design is recognized. Schools can advance to the semifinal round to vie for 14 spots in the finals. Three performances will be selected as winners. Two schools in the finals also will participate in the annual New England Drama Festival.
“Burglars, Bunglers and Neighborhood Thieves” is a farce featuring Ellie Wendell as Joan and Martha Davis as Darlene as inept burglars, being chased by the equally inept Officer Bert Ware, played by Owen O’Leary. Annabel Smith plays victim Erica, while neighbors Agatha and Christie are played by Caroline Quinn and Josh Cohen.
Madelyn Officer is Stage Manager, leading a crew of Wyeth Takayesu, Riley McKinnon, Nicholas Haley, Maddie Machain, Julia Dobson, Faith Ellis, August Capotosto, Cia Donahoe, and Lily Genest.
The community is invited to free open dress rehearsals on Thursday, March 2, and Friday, March 3, at 3:15 p.m. in the MERHS Auditorium. Each performance will take about 30 minutes.
