Theater Program Wins First Place at State Championship

The school’s theater program won the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) State One Act Play Championship on Saturday. 

On top of being state champs in the 5A division, Cambridge Theater took home awards for Best Actor and All Star Cast for its rendition of “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.” 

When the championship results were being announced, theater teacher Cory Kelley said it was “anxiety-inducing.” 

“You want them to do well,” he said. “It will be a long bus ride home if they don’t.” 

He said there is a pattern when it comes to the One Act Play winners. Typically, musicals win state and plays win runner-up. 

“Not fourth place, not third place, second place – not there,” Kelley said, counting off his fingers. “A company got runner-up, so my first thought was we were either really, really good or really, really bad. But you never want to be too confident.”  

Cambridge theater got first place. 

“The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” was performed at the school from October 19 to 21 and got a good reception, according to student reactions.

“People would walk up to me in the hallways and tell me, ‘You made me sob,’ or, ‘You were so good,’” senior Ben Terry said. 

Terry won Best Actor for his role as Edward Tulane at the state championship. 

As the judges announced the competition results, Terry held the hand of his best friend, senior Reese Jones (who had portrayed the character of a traveler in the play). 

“I remember kind of hoping somebody else would get it,” Terry said. “There were so many talented people there.” 

And then his name was called. 

“It took me a moment to realize what was happening,” he said. “It felt… not real, if that makes sense. I was shocked everyone was cheering for me. I felt appreciated and seen for what I do and how much work I put in because it’s a lot of work. Then I went up there and got my medal.” 

Senior Rayna Doniparthi, who portrayed Lucius Clarke in “Edward Tulane,” was relieved it was done. 

“I was excited,” she said, “but I was so tired and more focused on going home.” 

She said it was a satisfying end to her high school theater career. 

“I’ve been competing for four years,” she said. “I never thought I’d (one) go to state and (two) win at state. It felt fulfilling that, as a senior, I got to the place I never thought I’d get to.” 

Kelley said the theater program has been adjudicated to perform at the Georgia Theater Thespian Festival – or ThesCon – in February. 

“It’s safe to assume we’ll be performing at the state conference,” he said.