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Many changes will take place during the next school year for the Warsaw Community High School drama department and students.
Next school year, WCHS will no longer present plays at Lakeview Middle School.
Future productions will be held at the new WCHS Performing Arts Center.
The Drama Club also will become a Thespian Troupe.
Recognizing those changes and the departure of 15 seniors made Sunday's annual theatre awards banquet at LMS a little more sentimental for some.
"This year has been very encouraging, very fun," said Dana McAfee, WCHS theater teacher.
The program, which mixes awards with performances and memories, honors student achievements during the past year and past four years for seniors.
"This has been an exceptional class, jut the way they've grown, what they've been through," said McAfee before recognizing each of the seniors individually.
Drama students inducted into the Thespian Troupe included Ariel Howard, Emily Kuhn, Hope Lauster, Bebhinn Priest, Sean Ruggier, Abby Schwendeman, Ashley Skaggs, Shayla Small, Alyssa Taylor and Zach Tucker.
As part of being a Thespian, if a student earns 60 points during their four years at WCHS, they can earn an honor chord to wear at graduation. This year, McAfee said she had the most students of any year and included Molly Campbell, Lisa Eberly, Gabe Eisenbraun, Emily Kuhn, Christi Mann, John Miller, Skyler Scott, Rachel Simmons, Danielle Snyder and Phillip Swarts.
Voted on by fellow students, the best actor and best supporting actor for one-act plays were Kyle Lowe and Tyler Good respectively. Best actress was Emily Kuhn while Nanako Kasuga was named best supporting actress. Best directors were Christi Mann, Shayla Small and Gabe Eisenbraun.
For children's plays, McAfee awarded the best actor award to Tim Cover and best actress to Rachel Simmons.
For state competition, WCHS drama students performed "Baby." Named best actor was Larry Evans, while Candace Kinney was best actress. Key chains also were given for state show competition. Candace Kinney was recognized for being named to the All-Star Cast at regionals; Larry Evans, best supporting actor, state; and Ethan Bartman, Kyle Lowe, Zach Wilson and Larry Evans, first-place individual performances.
Overall outstanding awards went to one member from each class, and included: Ashley Skaggs, freshman; Erin Mills, sophomore; Larry Evans, junior; and Phillip Swarts, senior. Most improved awards were given to: Jordan Poyner, freshman; Ethan Bartman, sophomore; Candace Kinney, junior; and Christi Mann, senior.
Best performance in this year's shows were: leading role, actor Skyler Scott and actress Erin Mills; supporting role, actor Kyle Lowe and actress Bebhinn Priest; and minor role, actor Ethan Bartman and actress Emily Kuhn.
Each year, three awards are given to seniors. This year, no award was given for the technical award, but two students received the "Thespian of the Year" award. To receive the thespian award, students must encourage others and demonstrate leadership and enthusiasm for the productions. They must do a great deal in deed and attitude to promote the theater programs and productions and be a positive role model and be respected by peers. Awarded the thespian awards were Phillip Swarts and Lisa Eberly.
The third senior award is for outstanding senior achievement. Receiving the award with 265 points - the most ever - was Skyler Scott. The award is given to a senior who has done the most to support and promote the theater program as a positive force; been involved in theater all four years of high school in performance and support work; and been a consistent attitude of promoting and supporting the theater program at WCHS.
The 2006-07 officers were named and include Ellie Dillon, president; Larry Evans, vice president; Erin Mills, clerk; Bebhinn Priest, treasurer; and Abby Schwendeman, secretary.
Performances during the awards ceremony were given by seniors Rachel Simmons, Cali Bonnett, Phillip Swarts and Skyler Scott. The theater boosters - "The Drama Mamas" - also presented a skit.
