Stage Makers take home One-Act Region Championship

Oct. 30—CAIRO — The Cairo High School Stage Makers competed in the Region 1-AAAA One Act Play Competition on Saturday, October 28th, hosted at CHS. Their play went up against four shows from region competitors — Bainbridge, Westover, Shaw, and Hardaway. Cairo High School is proud to announce that their performance of "The Strength of Our Spirit" by Cynthia Mercati brought home the region title.

According to their director, Austin Harrell, this is the first time in a decade that Cairo High School has won region in One Act Play.

"I wish I had a word stronger than proud to express the feeling that I had about this group and this show," Harrell said. "Each actor on stage worked hard to bring to life the real characters that they portray. Our crew members put in the work to ensure that our costumes were period appropriate, our sets were artfully painted, and that each piece was put on stage exactly where it needed to go. This was a team win!"

In addition to taking home the first place trophy, the team also brought home three different individual awards for actors. Payton Josey, who played the character of Johann, and Morgan Griffin who played the character of Older Miriam brought home an "All Star Cast" Award; per GHSA, this award is given to 10 students in the region who are considered outstanding performers. Kennedi Smart was awarded "Best Actress" in the region; this is a single award given to the top female performer out of all the shows in the competition. This is the second time that Smart has won this award.

"I am so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful cast," Smart said. "I have received best actress two years in a row, thanks to Mrs. Austin Harrell and her guidance throughout my last three years of high school. We worked hard and brought home first place for the first time in 10 years, but not the last!"

The Stage Makers will advance to the state competition, to be held in Tifton on November 11th. Harrell says that after speaking with the judges from the regional competition and gaining insightful feedback, the group is focused and ready to put in the work needed to tackle the next level.

"According to my research, the last time Cairo brought home a state win in One Act was 1965. We're going to try our hardest to change that this year," Harrell said.

The Strength of Our Spirit is a play about teenagers during The Holocaust. It follows characters based on real people and tells the stories of those that fought back against the injustice around them. Audience members who attended the public show last week were moved to tears and commented on the powerful impact of the show's message.

Sophomore Aubrey Whigham, who plays the role of Younger Miriam commented, "I felt like as a group, we worked extremely hard getting into these difficult roles, not necessarily to win, but just to tell the story. I'm beyond excited to continue to share this beautiful story at the state competition!"

Morgan Griffin, a junior that brought home an individual All Star Cast Award added, "I am so grateful for the opportunity to play the character of Older Miriam, whom I have so much respect for, as she was based on Anne Frank's real life best friend. In putting this show together, we as a cast have grown tremendously. I am so blessed to have experienced being a part of it. We look forward to the opportunity to represent Cairo High School and Grady County in the State Competition on November 11th! Thank you all for supporting the arts."

The Stage Makers are adding in an additional public performance on Friday, November 10th at 7:00 in the CHS Auditorium. Tickets will be $5 and can be purchased at the door. The show does contain references to violence, simulated gunshots, and other content specific to The Holocaust that could be disturbing to some; please use your own discretion when choosing ages to attend.