Brockton High Drama Club students to showcase their talents at state theater finals
BROCKTON – Brockton High School senior Emilia Cabellon will perform on the state finals stage at the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild Competition in Boston this weekend for the second consecutive year. This time, she said, it feels a little different.
“I feel a lot more calm,” she said. “Just knowing how the days progress and what the vibes are.”
Cabellon is one of a small handful of Brockton High Drama Club students returning to the finals stage following last year’s performance at the competition. This year, a group of 42 Brockton High students, led by Director Robert Hogan, will travel to Boston to perform the 38-minute comedic play “Charley’s Aunt.”
“I always feel like I’m representing Brockton,” said senior Steven Nascimento, who plays the lead role Jack. “This is what we do here, and we work to be the best.”
On Friday, Brockton will compete against 13 other finalists from schools across Massachusetts at the Back Bay Events Center. They'll be judged not only on their acting, but on the design of the set, costumes and lighting, which were all created by the students.
Brockton won this competition back in 2019 and have appeared in the state finals every year since 2013.
"Just to go to the finals is a win," said Hogan, who's been director of the BHS drama program since 2005. "It's a proud moment for us and the school."
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Brockton performs 'Charley's Aunt'
Although only 10 of the 42 students are performing in the cast of their play, everyone is needed to make the show operate - from lights and sound to props and makeup, all of which is done by the students.
Before the performance even begins, the group has 10 minutes to unload the entire set from a U-Haul directly onto the stage, where the pieces will unfold like a dollhouse to turn into a massive room on a wheeled platform that sets the backdrop of the play.
Once the lights come on, the cast and crew will have under 40 minutes to perform the full play, including all set and costume changes, or the team will be disqualified.
"I was on an adrenaline rush. It was such a good feeling," Nascimento said about the semifinal round that took place last weekend. "We gave it our best we can possibly give."
The semifinal round took place at Brockton High School's Nelson Auditorium. Cabellon said she enjoyed "sharing our show on our home turf."
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The top three schools at the finals this weekend will earn awards, along with individual awards like best acting or lighting.
"They're very passionate about their piece," Hogan said.
Brockton High performed the play "Gossip" at this competition last year. Although the high school didn't earn a top three award, Hogan said performing in the state finals back-to-back was a major achievement.
"It just feels really good to represent Brockton," said Nascimento.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton High brings 'Charley's Aunt' to state finals in Boston
