Champion Theatre wins state One-Act Play title

The Champion High School Theatre won the 2022 UIL 5A State One-Act Play championship with its performance of “He Who Gets Slapped.” Eight schools from across Texas made it to the finals, which were held at Round Rock ISD’s Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center on Friday, May 6.

05/10/2022 12:00 AM

Champion Theatre wins state One-Act Play title — Cast and crew of Champion Theatre are, from left, front row: Harlo Longhurst, Delaney Sandidge, Maggie Bachmann, Lillian Stewart, Milaun Gonzalez, Amelia Routhier, Samara Gonzalez, Nick Horner, Sofia Mott and Carolyn Dell. Middle row: Jennifer Avilés, Jacqueline Nevarez, Weston Eades, Jaxson Bachicha, Paityn Tyson, Nadya Rodriguez, Raya Nuñez, Rafael Avilés and Israel Avilés. Top row: Fielder Scott, Jocelyn Kovach, Tanner Goodeill, DJ Bohman, Mason Jackson, Nellie Clark, Andrew Padilla and Jordan Fouts. Submitted photo

This was the school’s first-ever appearance at the state competition.

Champion Theatre performed scenes from “He Who Gets Slapped,” a play by Russian dramatist Leonid Andreyev. Directed by Israel and Jennifer Avilés with technical lighting assistance by Rafael Avilés, the show was written in 1915 and examines a band of circus performers whose lives are interrupted when a stranger with a mysterious past joins their ranks.

Adjudicators awarded Jacqueline Nevarez for her performance as “Consuelo” with an Honorable Mention All-Star Cast Award. Also receiving Honorable-Mention All-Star Cast recognition for their work in the Circus Ensemble were Carolyn Dell, Milaun Gonzalez, Samara Gonzalez, Nick Horner, Jocelyn Kovach, Sofia Mott, Amelia Routhier, Delaney Sandidge, Lillian Stewart and Paityn Tyson.

Weston Eades was recognized as Best Performer of the Day and earned the Samuel French Award for his performance as “He.”

A special encore performance of the State Championship-winning play will be presented at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, in the Champion High School Auditorium. Tickets are available at www.championtheatre.com.