Whitefish thespians win state honor
<p>Whitefish High School theater students include, front row: Sam Benkelman, Hunter Cripe, Mickey Dooley, Allison Jones and Abigail Blake; middle row: Abbie Belcher, Makkie Haller, Saige Perchy, Katrina Funk, Callie Ling; back row: Spenser Eaton, Elleanor Taylor, Che Roussell, Marijka Devivier, Jon Dittman, Gwen Meske, Megan Nielsen and Kaela Metcalfe.</p>
The Whitefish High School cast of “Good People” earned top honors for a flawless performance at the 2014 Montana State Thespian Festival in Missoula.
Whitefish won the Outstanding Overall Production award for its 45-minute cut from “Good People,” a play by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Cast members included Katrina Funk, Sam Benkelman, Hunter Cripe, Saige Perchy, Makkie Haller, Mickey Dooley and Jonathan Dittman.
The set was designed by Holden Roberts and Marijka Devivier.
Allison Jones and Dillon Lawrence oversee lighting. Sound is controlled by Jordan Brist. Tavia Wood and Delaney Lewis manage costuming. Kaela Metcalfe is in charge of props and Abbie Belcher does hair and makeup.
Individual awards went to Benkelman and Cripe.
Benkelman won an Outstanding Male Actor award. Cripe took third place in a death scene competition and was elected vice president of the Montana State Thespian Student Board.
The play is directed by Kelliann Blackburn, assistant drama coach Scarlett Schindler and student directors Spenser Eaton and Sloan Ellis. Abigail Blake serves as backstage manager.
This is the second consecutive year Whitefish drama has received state accolades, according to Blackburn, Whitefish High School theater teacher and head drama coach .
“After the performance on Friday, the adjudicators couldn’t find one criticism to give the students, commenting instead on a polished piece, [the] real and natural characters, simple and elegant set designs and depth of subject matter portrayed in an incredibly mature manner,” Blackburn said.
“Good People” is about Margaret — played by Katrina Funk — a 50-year-old woman who grew up in the south end of Boston. Margie navigates her life of living below the poverty line with humor and colorful slice-of-life stories filled with poor and disenfranchised “Southies.”
The public will have a chance to watch the state champions perform “Good People” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 through 22 at the Whitefish Performing Arts Center. Tickets may be purchased at the door and are $8 for adults and $5 for students.