CREEDE - Creede School Theatre students, ranging in grades from kindergarten through high school, have received expertise in how to survive a “Zombie Apocalypse” and in doing so, earned several awards at the annual One-Act Competition at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center in Pueblo earlier this month.

Students in the program came home with awards for Best Ensemble Performance, Best Sound Design, Best Set Concept, Best in The Booth, Best Backstage Coordination, and an award for best young performer to River Ferguson.

Associate Education Director at Creede Repertory Theatre, Tyler Horn, recently took over the residency at the Creede School District and for the second year in a row, helped bring students to the One-Act Competition.

“This was a really fun experience for all of us. We started the year by reading through about 25 plays and we chose ‘10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse’ for its ensemble performance and Groundhog Day theme. We are so proud of our students for their achievements,” said Horn.

The production was created to allow participating students to have a role in the play and in other areas such as tech and set design, sound, costumes design and more.

“The play was unique and perfect for this course because everyone had the chance to have a part in the production. One of the coolest parts of watching this come together was the excitement of the students. They really put their heart into this, and it showed in the competition,” continued Horn.

This was the second year Creede School Theatre attended the competition. Last year, Jenni Harbour took the students.

“Not only was last year the first year for the competition but it was the first year that we participated, and we learned a lot. Having the opportunity to show off their talents is a wonderful and important part of theatre education. It was a great experience for not only the students, but for the teachers as well,” Horn said.

Creede was one of seven schools that participated in this year’s southwestern state competition going up against schools from Pueblo County, Pueblo West, Canyon City and Centennial.

“Even though we didn’t place, we learned a lot. The judges had great feedback and we came home with several awards. We need to work on our vocal technique and with this being a building year for us, we did a wonderful job.”

The students are already planning for the next year, looking at the feedback and beginning the steps to improve their performance.

“I am really proud of the students, and I would be remiss if I didn’t thank our AmeriCorps volunteers who were in the classroom almost every day and went as chaperones to the competition, so a huge thanks goes out to Grace Murnane and Maddie Conway.”

Creede Theatre consisted of Garin Heinrich, grade 12, Micheal Shaw, grade11, River Hirschi, grade 11, Charlie Heinrich, grade10, Faith Anna Cooper, grade 10, Lexy Mead, grade 9, Piper Maki, grade 8, Waverly Pearson, grade 8, Jhavon Flores, grade 8, Rudy Edmonds, grade 8, Ava Mankowski, grade 8, Dean Jenkins, grade 8, Lucy Brittain, grade 7, Paisley Anderson, grade 7, Jhaloni Flores, grade 7, Shelby Adelman, grade 6, Ian Duff, grade 6, River Ferguson, grade 6, Jack Ceja, grade 6, Ariana Pavon, grade 6, and Levi Evans, grade 6.

Awards and Names:

Best Ensemble Performance

Best in The Booth - Waverly Pearson, stage manager and Jhaloni Flores, sound board operator)

Best Backstage Coordination - Lexy Mead and Levi Evans, assistant stage managers

Best Set Concept - Micheal Shaw and Jack Ceja

Best Technical Use of Sound - Charlie Heinrich, Ian Duff, and Jhaloni Flores

Notable Rising Performer - River Ferguson