Redhound Theatre takes first place at state competition; Colonel Players place fourth

The students of Corbin High School’s “Redhound Theatre,” scored multiple victories at the Kentucky Theatre Association state competition including, “Best Play,” for their rendition of, “The Elephant Man,” while Whitley County High School’s “Colonel Players,” brought home fourth place with its performance of, “1,000 Cranes.”

“Hands down the best of what I saw,” stated professional producer and director Jenny Christian, one of four judges at the event in critiquing “The Elephant Man. “Very tough material handled maturely by young actors. Thank you for this production.”

Whitley County Theatre Teacher David Sweet said judges complimented his students for the emotional reaction his students elicited.

“I had one individual from Lexington come up and talk about spending time in Japan,” Sweet explained. “He complimented us for connecting with the tone of the story.”

In addition to the team award, Corbin and Whitley County brought home multiple individual awards.

• Chris Couch who portrayed John Merrick, AKA, “The Elephant Man,” was named best actor

• Jeran Arena, who played Frederick Treves, the doctor who saves Merrick from his life as a circus attraction, was named to the all-star cast.

“John and Frederick showed outstanding work with role and relationship growth,” stated Everett McCorvey, University of Kentucky Opera Theatre Director, another of the judges.

• Couch and Megan Leger, who played Mrs. Kindle, the woman who looks beyond Merrick’s appearance to see the inner person and who helps introduce Merrick to high society, won the award for, “Most Beautiful Moment.

“I feel incredibly blessed to work with these students each day and to be a part of the Redhound Family,” said Redhound Theatre Director Rebecca Liford-Hibbard. “ These students have worked ceaselessly since the first week of school to be the best program in the state and they have achieved that goal.”

• Whitley County’s Katherine Whitaker, who played Sakado Sasaki in “1,000 Cranes” was also named to the all-star cast.
With the win, the cast and crew will take the show back on the road in March to participate in the South Eastern Theatre Conference competition in Greensboro, NC.

Corbin will compete against winners from nine other states across the Southeast.

Redhound Theatre has two other productions scheduled in the coming months.

Dec. 10-12 the annual Christmas play will be performed. This year’s selection is, “It’s a Wonderful Life.”

Liford-Hibbard said the play is based on the film version. The version Redhound Theatre is using was converted from the film by a professor at the University of Kentucky.

“I’m really excited to do this version,” Liford-Hibbard said previously.

Redhound Threatre is scheduled to host its second, “Improv Night,” On Jan. 22.

Liford-Hibbard said previously that “Improv Night,” is an opportunity for audiences to see a difference side of the students’ acting ability and to allow a larger cast of students to take the stage.

Approximately 15 to 20 students will take part in the 45-minute show

Sweet said the Colonel Players will be gearing up for their spring performances.

In April they will perform a play centered around famous illusionist Harry Houdini entitled, “The Last Illusion.”

In May the Colonel Players will return to the state with, “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Sweet said dates and times for the performances have not been finalized.