Redhound Theatre students honored among state’s best

Though it was their first year in the Kentucky Theatre Association’s High School Drama Festival, the members of Corbin High School’s Redhound Theatre showed they are among the best in the state, winning the Best Newcomer Award and seeing actors Ethan Baylor and Katie Noble named "best actor" and "best supporting actress," respectively.

In addition, Dakota Dean was named to the All-State Cast.

"It is because of them that the program is so successful," said Corbin Theatre Director Schann Mobley.

The 12 actors literally took the show on the road, recreating a smaller set and cutting down the two-hour play they performed in September down to about 45 minutes of scenes during the competition held over the weekend at Centre College in Danville.
The scenes included the opening in the parlor, and at the sanitarium during which Baylor, who plays "Elwood" is explaining to the doctors how he met "Harvey" the 6-feet-tall rabbit that he talks with throughout.

Mobley and the students agreed the new set and different flow made for some tense moments.

"We had memorized that play three different times," said Noble, who played "Elwood’s" sister "Veta". "I was so worried that someone would start a different scene."

Mobley said members of the audience noted the walls of the set continued to wobble throughout the performance and there was fear they would collapse.

"It was terrifying," said Dean, who played "Veta’s" daughter "Myrtle Mae."

All totaled, the actors have two hours to hit the stage, assemble the set, perform the play and disassemble the set.
"There was a line at the edge of the stage," Baylor noted. "When you crossed that line, your time began."

"It was interesting," he added.

"It was exciting," Noble said.

At the Academy Awards, winners receive the "Oscar."

The award winners given by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences receive the "Emmy"

Baylor said KTA winners received, "a plaque."

When they were not performing, the actors said they were watching the other schools, including eventual winners Owensboro High School.

While they are on friendly terms with the students from Owensboro, the actors agreed there is the beginning of a rivalry.
"We plan to win next year," Noble announced.

Mobley said with Baylor, Noble and Dean, who are all juniors, returning in 2012, there is no reason Corbin can’t take the title from Owensboro.

"I have worked with them for many years," Mobley said of the trio. "I’m confident we can be even better next year."