National Performing Arts Finals in Disney for William Byrd Players
The William Byrd Players return to the Roanoke Valley with the highest number of medals and trophies from the 2009 National Performing Arts Festival-Orlando than any other group. The troupe brought home 13 medals ranging from vocal performance to choreography and the most outstanding performance. They also brought home two trophies—one in excellence, and one in outstanding male performance. Two youth groups were selected to showcase—Off Broadway Kids of Georgia (a private musical theatre training group) and William Byrd High School. The WB Players’ male ensemble showcased on the Disney outdoor Waterside stage at downtown Disney with “Rollin’/Searching.” In addition, several WB Players were asked by Disney officials to audition for performance roles. Finally, the WB Players worked with Disney vocal coaches and choreographers in workshops, and a professional New York acting coach who not only performs, but also is used by acting professionals and Disney professionals with audition preparation.
Senior Meghan Upchurch auditioned with Disney casting, became a Disney American Idol finalist, and won a performance soloist medal. Male Ensemble members Seniors Dorian Dozier, Ryan Gilley, Shaun Reid, and Junior Mark McCadden won the most outstanding performance medals for their ensemble work, and Dozier and McCadden won additional performance soloist medals. In addition, McCadden won the outstanding male soloist performance trophy. Additional performance soloist medals went to Sophomore Christie Vernon, Seniors Jenny Swortzel, Noah Sterling, and Maegan Puckett. Junior MacKenzie Brewer was given the festival’s top medal honors as top vocalist. Senior Ryan Ramos was selected as outstanding choreography at the festival by Disney.
At the awards banquet at Planet Hollywood, the team found out that two groups were selected to showcase by Disney. The first group did a cutting from “Once upon an Island,” and Disney selected the male ensemble work of “Rollin’/Searching.” The WB Players brought home a trophy in excellence under the direction of Mrs. Carol Webster, and production team members Debbie Adler, Tricia Swortzel, Lynn Dozier, and Lee Reid. Additional cast and crew members include Juniors Stephanie Broyles, Sophomores Diana Lackey and Sara Beth Landrum, Seniors Megan Walker, William Webster, Lauren Hypes, Lane White, and Juniors Whitney Short, Aaron Kasey and Tyler Wiggins, and Bonsack student Michael Webster.
As National Champions, the WB Players were invited to bring the school’s choral department to open the festival with a medley from “Footloose,” and “Grease.” The school’s traveling choral members (Freshmen Cassie Groff and Caty Robinson, Sophomores Casey Foutz, Quia Hubbard, and Brittany Sands, and Seniors Emerald Poff, Chandler Wright and Jessica Schilling) were joined by the cast and crew of “Smokey Joe’s Café,” to create a showchoir of approximately 30 members. Under the vocal direction of Katie Saunders and exclusive choreography of Senior Ryan Ramos, the group performed on the Saratoga Springs Resort Stage before an enthusiastic crowd of participants, guests, and Disney execs. Once again, Ramos was singled out for her choreography work.
As two year National Performing Arts Festival winners, the WB Players have earned a reputation of excellence in the arts in the areas of acting, vocal, and dance. For more information regarding the theatre program at William Byrd High School, please contact Carol Webster at cwebster@rcs.k12.va.us. The next production for this troupe is Disney's "High School Musical," opening in late April.