Top Row: Zach Walker, Lauren Hawkins, Charlotte Cuthbert, Francisco Miranda Aponte, Hannah Rabinowitz, Raylan Christian, Caleb Chrisohon, Elias Evans, Andrew Ward, Sarah Miller
Bottom Row: Lucy Walker, Alexandra Newmark, Sage Park, Emma Rasco, Abby Barr, Kami McGuire, Samantha Lang, Brittany Daniel
Photo Courtesy of the Pioneer Playmakers.
So much preparation goes into The Playmaker’s productions that they start rehearsing for plays early in advance. All of that work shows with their performances, and their past. In 2022, Ms. Miller and the cast of “Our Place” won the NCTC State High School Play Festival, making it the 4th State championship for the WHS Playmakers. It is also the 2nd time in 3 complete NCTC State Festivals that the Playmakers have won the state competition. For the second time in WHS Playmaker history, this ensemble’s production also received straight superior ratings---all superior ratings in all 10 ratings categories--- from all judges.
“There’s a reason why we say to ‘trust in the process,’ and that’s because we are always building off of what we started,” said senior Samantha Lang. “We began working on ‘Our Place’ at the end of August, first reading the script in May, and I can honestly say how incredibly proud I am of how hard everyone in our ensemble has worked. Everything has a purpose and a reason, from the costuming to how the seasons look in each vignette.”
Besides working on the play for a class, the Playmakers have passion. For both the performances they create and the relationships.
“Playmakers has been such a positive experience and I wouldn’t be the same without it,” said senior Sage Park. “Theater allowed me to grow into a much more confident person and encouraged me to be unapologetically myself.”
In addition to creating amazing things, many playmakers love the sense of community.
“I’ve met my favorite people in the world here and I couldn’t imagine my life without them,” said Park. “This opportunity is a dream come true. I get to do what I love with the people I love, and I couldn’t be happier.”
This sense of community that The Playmakers put into their performances is exactly what lets them win at states.
“These people have become a family to me throughout these few months, the ups and downs we have gone through together and the bonding we have made is something I cannot compare to anything else,” said junior Francisco Miranda Aponte. “I would not trade this experience or these people for anyone or anything and I love this family and am proud of the work we have all put in. I also want to thank our teachers, Ms. Miller and Mr. Walker, for growing our work and always being in our best interest. The journey was the best part and winning was just a bonus on this journey that we are all going through together.”
Congratulations on your state's ratings, Playmakers. Your hard work really shows, and we, as a school, are proud of you.
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