Worland High School Drama returns from nationals

WORLAND - The Worland High School Drama Club was one of 25 schools nationwide to receive an invitation to the National Thespian Festival in Lincoln, Neb., June 22 – 29. Seven students attended the festival - Taran Pennington, Jodie Dorn, Emily Myers Morgan Pennington, Sariah Durrant, Josh Miller and Burk DeBolt.

To attend the festival, the group had to raise $7,500. They raised these funds by holding a 50/50 raffle and a soup night at one of their plays performances.

The group of Dorn, Myers, Miller and DeBolt performed their one act play, "God of Carnage," which won second place at the state competition in December This play tells the story of different parents whose children have quarreled with one another. Instructor Rick Dorn said the performance focuses on the darker aspects of the parents' lives.

The show "God of Carnage" was a featured showcase. According to Miller, each state brought one play that showed what their theater had to offer.

"Well it wasn't a competition, but we did pretty well compared to other schools. It was a great experience." Dorn said.

Miller said, "The play went very well. We were a little worried about audience size, but a good amount of people showed up and the audience was into it which was good because it helped us."

Myers said, "The show went very well. We were second to go so we were all a little nervous. It was new to us, but it felt good to perform in front of people who appreciate what we were showing them."

Taran Pennington and Durrant took home the first-place trophy for humorous duet at State, earning them a place at the National competition. Pennington said, "We did well. Our performance was the best we had done, but the judges reacted strangely."

Morgan Pennington took first-place in costume design at the State competition. She went on to the National competition competing with a costume design set in the 1650s. Morgan said, "I think I did OK."