In March of 2020, covid shut down many things, including the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild’s State Theater Festival. Just days before they were supposed to compete, covid forced the NHETG Board to cancel everything and there was no Festival. This year, after over two years of waiting, the FHS Players were able to return to an in person theater festival! On Saturday, April 2, they traveled to Kingswood Regional High School to perform their one act, “The Chili Haunts Me Still” along with five other schools including Kingswood Regional, Plymouth Regional, Portsmouth Christian Academy, Gilford High School and Pittsfield Middle/ High School. This is an all day event beginning at 7 am and running until after 8 pm featuring one act performances from each school, professional adjudications by experienced people in the theater field and student forums, where students are able to gather together and discuss the shows they have seen. Along with that, it is a day for students to connect with other students who share their same interests and passions for theater and a great day for making wonderful memories.
Franklin was very well represented with their performance as well as the overall way our students represented our school. Their production was directed by high school teacher Mr. Adair and a community member and parent, Robbie LaFlamme (who attended the festival as a FHS Player in 1995), helped the students with their technical pieces. The production featured Noah Alers-Alers and Olivia Sylvester who both were recognized by the adjudicators with Excellence in Acting Awards. Other performers included Zoe Nagle, Libby Femenella, Kadance Laro, Kaia Roper, Andrew Gagnon, Kayley Sargent and Briahna LaFlamme. Stage crew included Leah Cote and Andy Emery and lights were run by Angel Evans. Thomas Fifield ran sound and costumes were designed by Angelia LaBrecque who was also honored with an Excellence in Costume Design Award.
The seniors who attended were freshmen the last time they were able to attend a festival in person. It was clear at the start that this was a new experience for most, but they quickly learned the power of the NHETG Festival and the lasting memories it provides. There was laughing and cheering, supporting of many others and definitely a sense of pride in themselves and in their school.
Students wait for a performance at Kingswood Regional!
Making friends from other schools!
Noah Alers-Alers and Olivia Sylvester both win Excell