Scene Stealers and Fish Focusers: Cal Poly Pomona
Hosts High School Theater Festival

Steven Hinojos (from left), Daniel Chang and Kate Nelson of Walnut High School portray monkeys trying to write "Hamlet" as part of the scene competition finals in the 9th annual High School Scene Festival and Tech Olympics at Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 11.

Daniel Cortez, a senior at Diamond Bar High School, focuses a spotlight as he competes in the Theater Tech Olympics.

Allyson Fredericksen (from left), Denver Miller, Holly Miller and Rashida Young of Bonita High School compete in the finals of the scene competition.

Hundreds of drama students converged on Cal Poly Pomona for the High School Scene Festival and Tech Olympics on Jan. 11. Representing 16 Southern California high schools, about 450 students vied for top honors in front of a three-judge panel.

The festival is designed to encourage and promote young thespians, as well as introduce them to the theatrical program at Cal Poly Pomona, said Kathleen Waln, Theater department chair.

“It’s a good way to meet all these actors and for them to meet our faculty,” said Waln.

In addition to the scene competition in which student groups performed 10-minute scenes in front of a judging panel and an audience of their peers, many students competed behind the scenes in the timed technical events. From focusing a spotlight in the “fish focus frenzy” to discovering which teams could effect lightning-fast costume and prop changes, participants demonstrated the diverse skills necessary to stage a theatrical production.

Ontario Christian High School students Paul Sobosky and Jackie DeJesus managed to tailor a Red Riding Hood costume on a student volunteer in just under 90 seconds. Although they didn’t win the competition, both students enjoyed the contest.

“I never get a chance to do a thing like this,” said Sobosky. “I’d say they’re (Cal Poly Pomona) doing a great thing here.”

The Theater department also offered several workshops, including tips on auditioning, vocal technique and stage mask making.

The award-winning individuals and teams are listed below.

 

Scene Competition
Scene Finalists
1st place—Chino High School, Les Miserable
2nd place—Bonita High School, Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread
3rd place—Rancho Cucamonga High School, Untitled
4th place—Diamond Bar High School, Screen Writer’s Mind
5th place—Walnut High School, Actors
6th place—Walnut High School, Words, Words, Words

All-Star Cast
Sean McClain, Chino High School, Les Miserable
Joseph Hidy, California High School, Midsummer Night’s Dream
Robert Grosse, Brea Olinda High School, Cander Sores & Other Distractions
Vanessa Carlin, Nogales High School, Jake’s Women
Paulie Rojas, Walnut High School, Actors
Shawna Parker, Ontario High School, Lost in Yonkers

Tech Olympic Events
Fish Focus Frenzy
1st place—Brian Macera, Ontario High School
2nd place—Jacqueline Vasquez, Walnute High School
3rd place—Christopher Khatib, Diamond Bar High School

Costume Quick Change
1st place—Stephanie Gobby and Amber Wilferth, El Dorado High School
2nd place—Annie Roach and Christina Cellini, El Dorado High School
3rd place—Amber Wilferth and Iris Sabw, El Dorado High School

Prop Quick Changes
1st place—Brad Miller and Bill Segletas, Brea Olinda High School
2nd place—Adam Fisher and Johnos Heasley, El Dorado High School
3rd place—Andrea Montes and Laura Branby, Walnut High School

Flat Lashing
1st place—Sally Jacob and John Venti, Diamond Bar High School
2nd place—Brad Miller and Bill Segletas, Brea Olinda High School
3rd place—Brad Miller and Brandon Kest, Brea Olinda High School

Overall Tech Olympics Champions
1st place—El Dorado High School
2nd place—Brea Olinda High School
3rd place—Diamond Bar High School
4th place—Walnut High School