BCLUW theater honored with state awards

CONRAD- Audiences and cast and crew members agreed that BCLUW drama’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” last fall was one of the best in the department’s history. The Iowa High School Musical Theater Association (IHSMTA) has validated that sentiment with the announcement that the show won a total of seven state awards, including the first ever recognition for outstanding performance in a principal role.

BCLUW received production awards for distinguished scene (“Belle”) and outstanding community engagement, a student award for outstanding performance in a principal role (Noah Cross as Gaston), and special recognition for ensemble, performance in a principal role both for Cole Scafferi as Cogsworth and Lane Schnathorst as Lumiere, and lobby display. The show was judged against productions from schools of all sizes across the state.

“It does give you a good evaluation, from my standpoint, of what the particular adjudicators saw on the performance that they were at,” Director Jackie Stevens said. “It’s one person’s opinion on a given day, on a given performance. It’s very subjective to people’s opinions, and it’s another evaluation tool from a director’s standpoint to put in your toolbox and look at future things. While the awards are nice, it’s not what we ultimately do it for.”

Stevens praised her cast and crew for their commitment to the show and collaborative approach throughout the rehearsal process. She admitted that adapting a popular piece of intellectual property like “Beauty and the Beast”—known for its 1991 animated film version and the 2015 live action remake—presented a unique challenge because of the audience’s familiarity with the material, but it also provided the students a chance to put their own spin on their characters and put aside their preconceptions.

Cross, a junior, won a top prize for his bombastic portrayal of Gaston, and the distinguished scene award made Stevens especially proud as a director. The community engagement was another high mark and included events like “Breakfast with Belle” with the cast dressed in character and book donations to younger students.

It’s been a tough spring for the drama department with the previously scheduled production of Agasta Christie’s “And Then There Were None” indefinitely postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Stevens is holding out hope that they will still get to perform it at some time in the future. She’s also had plenty of time to review scripts for potential fall shows and keep busy at her full time job.

“We’re doing okay. Everybody’s healthy and we’re thankful for that,” Stevens said. “I’m really, really proud of the “Beauty and the Beast” cast and also really proud of the spring show kids that haven’t had a chance to perform that yet.”