Southeastern Regional Students Take Home the Medals at the New England Theatre Conference

Twenty-eight Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School (SRVTHS) students attended the 63rd Annual NETC from October 23-24, 2014 at the Westford (MA) Regency, along with their teachers, Kerri Cooper and Christopher Crossen-Sills. Winners in the Costume Design Olympiad challenge for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” fairy costume included a Gold Medal for Coral Massery, a Design and Visual Communications Major and Mansfield resident, and Savannah Fegan, a Collision Repair Major from Brockton, taking Silver in the category. A Bronze Medal was awarded to Myles Brennan, a Performing Arts Major and Brockton resident, who performed monologues under the Acting Olympiad.

Southeastern Regional delegates were selected by auditions held during the third week of school. They have been preparing for the competition during their Period 9&10 “After School Program,” and in their Performing Arts classes. Transportation, the convention, hotel rooms and meals were provided by Southeastern Regional and the Drama Boosters.

“The experience itself was very mind-opening. I’ve never competed before, so the thought of committing to a competition like this was absolutely nerve-racking,” Miss Massery said. “I’m glad I did it. I was not in it to win; I was just in it for the experience, but I ended up winning anyhow.”

SRVTHS instructors, chaperones, and members of NETC Board of Directors Kerri Cooper and Chris Crossen-Sills have a long history of involvement in NETC. “I’m amazingly proud of my students. This is our fourth year going to NETC, and it’s a testament to the determination and talent of the students that, for the first time, all 5 categories of the Olympiads were represented by our students: Acting, Musical Theatre, Dance, Costume, and Set Design,” noted Mrs. Cooper, Drama teacher at Southeastern Regional, and Secondary School Director and Presenter for the Conference. “And every year we bring more and more students.” The competitors also had the opportunity to participate in various theatre based workshops such as Voice and Diction (taught by their own Drama teacher, Mrs. Cooper), State Management, Auditioning, Swordplay for the Theatre, and Improvisation.

“I can’t find the words to express how great an experience it was for all the students,” added Mr. Crossen-Sills. “I think this experience is an incredible boon for the program because the kids got this wonderful experience. How often do you get to work with industry professionals, after all?”

NETC is “a non-profit organization dedicated to providing its members with professional services, career development, and recognition awards in the live theatre arts. It proudly supports quality theatre and promotes excellence in all divisions of theatre,” according to the organization’s website.

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