Corbin High School Redhound Theatre wins state

The students of Corbin High School’s Redhound Theatre took their original production, “Still Waters Run Deep,” to the Kentucky Theater Association state competition and, for the second consecutive year, returned home as state champions.

“The level of acting in this program is strong,” adjudicators wrote of the 45-minute production written by Theatre Director Rebecca Liford-Hibbard.

The show explores the relationships and scandals of three teenage girls in rural Kentucky in 1915. Adah, played by Megan Leger, Polly played by Abbi Disney, and Opal, played by Kinzie McAuliffe, each learn difficult lessons about love and heartbreak through their interactions with local heartthrob, Doyle McKinney played by Zac Hart.

“You’ve reached a high level of work,” Dr. Jenn Calvano of the University of Louisville said of the performance.

Liford-Hibbard said when she and Corbin High School Music Teacher Candy Jones were writing the play over the summer, they did it with this competition in mind.

The win secures Redhound Theatre a place at the Southeastern Theater Conference national competition in March.

Redhound Theatre will have a home stage advantage of sorts as the competition will be held in Lexington.

“Mrs. Jones and I are incredibly proud of our students and are excited to be representing not only Corbin High School, but the state of Kentucky on a national stage!” Liford-Hibbard said.

Redhound Theatre won state and advanced to the national competition last year with its performance of “The Elephant Man.”

The students are gearing up for their next production, the musical “White Christmas,” which is scheduled to begin December 8.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. each night December 8-10 and 15-17.

Tickets are $8 for students and $10 for adults.

In addition, season passes remain available, which allow the holder to attend as many performances as they like.

The students are also gearing up for the annual improv night on January 19.

The season will wrap up in April with Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” on April 20-22 and 27-29.

Liford-Hibbard said with the musically talented group of students she has it was the ideal year to bring these works to the stage.

“We are using our strengths,” Liford-Hibbard said.

More information is available at the Redhound Theatre Facebook page.