RPA Theatre Troupe students from top to bottom, left to right: Cohen Flanagan, Kendra McGuire, Casey James, Allie Smith, Talon Confer, Lana Frisinger, Claire Gray, Ruby Boland, Lydia Carter and Katey James.

Redmond Proficiency Academy drama students recently competed in the annual Oregon Thespian State Festival, where they earned awards, scholarships and advancement to the International Thespian Festival.

The State Festival is the signature event for Oregon thespians, attended by more than 1,500 theater students and teachers from around the state and features main stage productions, dozens of one act plays, workshops and presentations.

“After two years of cancellations due to the pandemic, it was wildly fulfilling to be back in-person at the Oregon State Thespian Festival,” said Kate Torcom, RPA’s theatre director.

Senior Lana Frisinger won an award for her stage management work on RPA’s production of “PUFFS,” making her eligible to advance to the International Thespian Festival scheduled for June in Bloomington, Ind.

The troupe earned “superior” rankings for each category they competed in: large group musical, small group musical, duo comedic Acting, duo dramatic acting, group acting, solo acting and stage management.

RPA Thespians were awarded the highest honor of “State Showcase Select” for their large group musical number, which means they were able to perform their piece, a song from “Cry Baby, the Musical,” on the main stage. Seniors Casey James and Kendra McGuire, junior Lydia Carter, sophomores Ruby Boland and Allie Smith, and freshman Talon Confer, Cohen Flanagan, Claire Gray and Katey James made up the cast.

Senior Kendra McGuire won the Oregon Thespian Scholarship and said she was excited to be able to attend state (in-person) one last time.

In addition to student accolades, theatre director Kate Torcom won the Rex Rabold Memorial Award.