Feature Photo: Groves Theater Class Places Fourth in State Competition

The advanced theater production class from , led by John Rutherford, placed fourth in the Division II Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association (MIFA) competition Feb. 17-18.

The group performed the play The Ice Wolf written by Joanna Kraus and competed against 13 other teams from across the state at Dexter High School.

The Groves team was the only student-led production in the competition and was directed by student Leah Sherman and assistant director Max Lipitt. Andrea Kelly served as stage manager.

The MIFA competition is a timed exercise with each team given specific time slots to load and unload their sets and then perform a play (which can not last longer than 45 minutes).

In addition to the group's fourth place ranking, Anna Garcia won a Superior Rating for best actress at the state level while Nathan Willey and Cassidy Cyr won a Superior Rating for best costume design. Patrice Bell and Alex Cooper won an Excellent Rating for make-up design.

Participating students include (with their roles in the production):

• Storytellers: Erin O'Donnell, Meredith Starkman, Kaleigh Passarelli
• Arnarqik: Audrey Landgraff
• Karvik: David Gretchko
• Atata: Ben Sadler
• Kiviog: Stephen McShane
• Villagers: Emma Salter, Patrice Bell, Cassidy Cyr
• Tarto: Zack Kozlow
• Motomiak: Emily Elconin
• Shikikianq: Cameron Crawford-Mook
• Anatou: Molly Willey
• Fox: Alex Cooper
• Beaver: Sarah Szekely
• Ermine: Emily Ashcraft
• Anatou: Anna Garcia
• Snow Gnomes: Audrey Kennedy, Sebastian Gullo, Rebecca Starr
• Technical Direction: Shawn Costello, Jon Bloom, Emily Finn