The Avondale Theatre Company delivered a standout performance at the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association (MIFA) One Act Play Festival State Finals on Saturday, February 14, earning First Place in Division 2 Studio and securing the program’s second state championship in the past six years.
After advancing through highly competitive District and Regional rounds, ATC took the stage alongside some of Michigan’s strongest theatre programs — and rose to the top. In addition to being named State Champions, Avondale earned the prestigious People’s Choice Award, a distinction voted on by the directors of all participating schools after consulting with their students.
The company received Superior 1 ratings from all five judges, including one perfect score. The production was further recognized with Superior-level full company awards for Tempo, Pacing, Script Cutting, Material, and Overall Presentation.
Individual students were honored across numerous performance and technical categories, including acting roles, ensemble work, set design and construction, costumes, make-up, sound, projections, live music, vocal coaching, properties, innovation, and stage mechanics — highlighting the strength and depth of the entire company:
Excellent-Level Honors
Set Design: Gage Steel
Set Construction: Gage Steel, Cameron Brotherton, Tre’ Miller, Kaylah Macdonald, Emerson Cervenak, Paul Evans, Jenna Watton, Devin Riley, Alivia Cole
Make-Up Design: Katie McLaughlin
Program Design: Emi Begaj, Allie Walsh
Lobby Display: Emi Begaj, Allie Walsh, Kevana Lehneke, Violet Schroeder, Harry Noell, Greta Simko, Arad Sabbaghi, Kristyll Faucheux
Superior-Level Honors
Script Cutting: Cleora Goodwin
Costume Design: Jay Johnson
Costume Execution: Jay Johnson, Katie McLaughlin, Sam Valladares, MJ Walton
Projections: Jack Waldrep
Live Music: Owen Scrase
Vocal Coaching: Aliyah Barkley, Twyla Evans
Outstanding Roles:
Ray – Aliyah Barkley
Asha – Twyla Evans
Toria – Ariana Herrera
Principal – Jayla Fortner
Colin – Leo Noell
Justin – Micai Stokes
D’Andre – Marcus Martinez
Ensemble Acting (Physical Acting, Vocal Acting, Characterization): Aliyah Barkley, Twyla Evans, Ariana Herrera, Jayla Fortner, Lily Medina, Elise Momany, Anna Lewis, Josephine Sertic, Brynn Orban, Makayla Hawkins, Divine Thomas, Leo Noell, Micai Stokes, Marcus Martinez, Ben McIntyre, Anthony Barkiewicz
Properties: Everett Mullen, Holly Ries, Tre Allen, Nikki Chubbs, Izabelle Novick
Sound: Jack Waldrep, Saul Montealvo, Brice Fugate
Costumes & Make-Up: Jay Johnson, Katie McLaughlin, Sam Valladares, MJ Walton
Innovation: Cleora Goodwin, Gryffin Sheldon
Stage Mechanics: Gryffin Sheldon, Gage Steel, Jack Waldrep
Under the direction of Mr. Sheldon, students selected a challenging piece with a powerful message and executed it with exceptional commitment, artistry, and professionalism. Their hard work, collaboration, and passion for theatre were evident at every level of competition.
With another state championship banner soon to hang in the Avondale Performing Arts Center, the Avondale Theatre Company continues to set the standard for excellence on stage!
