By Staff
Thomas Tingle
Record Managing Editor
The Bob Jones High School Patriot Players need the financial support of the community to attend a theatre competition in Arlington, Va. next spring.
The Patriot Players recently won the state drama festival play competition for the second time in a row with its production of "The Winner." The production has been selected as the "Best Show" in Alabama and the team has been selected to represent Alabama at the Southeastern Theater Conference's Secondary School Theatre Competition.
In order for each member to attend, the team is asking for businesses in Madison to either sponsor a student or contribute toward raising the funds needed to go on the trip.
Dwayne Craft, drama instructor at Bob Jones, said only one school and play from each of the 11 southern states is selected to attend the nation's largest theater convention each year.
"This is a great honor for our school and community since it amounts to winning the state championship and then competing for a national title, Craft said. "Additionally, our students will also be allowed to audition for scholarships to be awarded by 15-20 major colleges and universities."
Craft said only two times in the 53-year history of the Alabama Conference on Theatre and Speech has a school won back-to-back state championships.
Craft said not all of the students on the team could afford the high cost of travel and lodging associated with taking the production to Arlington.
"The large group of students – close to 75 members, makes it difficult to generate the needed financial resources," Craft said. "We are estimating that it will cost $500 per student to go on the trip. That includes the hotel room for five nights, chartering a bus for transportation, set and scenery transportation, and registration fees."
Craft said all contributions will be tax deductible and appropriate documentation of the contribution will be provided. For those interested in contributing, call Dwayne Craft or Bonnie Williams at Bob Jones High School for more information.