Two Fort Bend ISD High School Theatre groups advance to Area competition for UIL One-Act Plays FORT BEND ISD

Austin and Travis High School theatre departments will represent Fort Bend ISD in Area competition for their respective UIL one-act plays after recently advancing at the District level. Both schools will compete with other area high schools on Saturday, April 14, at George Ranch High School in Lamar Consolidated ISD. Under the direction of Bradly Cummons and Jennifer Minor, Austin High School will present “The Imaginary Invalid” by Molière. The play centers around a fearful but miserly hypochondriac who divides his time between summoning his doctor to care for his ailments and trying not to pay the resulting bills. The cast earned several awards at the District level, such as Best Actor for David Herrera and Best Actress for Courtney Russell. Cody Kenner was named to the All-Star Cast, while Nora Hunt and Kathryn Victory were named to the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast. Zanira Ghulamhussain won an award for Outstanding Technical Achievement.

Travis High School’s theatre department, under the direction of Tommy Grubbs, will present “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck. The play tells the tragic story of George Milton and Lennie Small, two displaced migrant ranch workers during the Great Depression in California whose lives are forever changed as unfortunate events unfold at their latest place of employment. All-Star Cast awards went to Jon Rivenburg and Robert Jamerson, while Shea Petersen and Ryan Siller won Honorable Mention All-Star Cast medals. Lauren Robinson received an award for Outstanding Technical Achievement. Both schools also have students who have advanced to the state competition for the UIL Theatre Design competition. Megan Rennie (marketing), Rachel Perry (set design) and Claire Brady (makeup design) will represent Travis High School, and Erin Lavespere (costume) will represent Austin High School. Erin won 4th place at last year’s State competition in Costume Design as a freshman.