PHOTO: The cast and crew of, "The Dance of the Grizzle." CAST: Skyler Kasinger (Storyteller), Alex Edge (The Grizzle [Beast]), Emily Adams (The Grizzle [The Girl]), Camron Ballenger (Boy, Villager, Animal, and Forest), Thomas Hartline (Leader of the Villagers, Moonguard, Animal, Forest), Kristin Eason (Scribe, Moonguard, Animal, Forest), Jade Hawkins (The Sun), Karen Lopez (The Moon), Sharron Hollis (Sunguard, Villager 1, Animal, The Forest), Yitzel Vilorio (Sunguard, Child, villager, animal, and Forest), Seth Harris (Villager, Animal, Forest), Corey Shankles (Animal, Forest, The Elder), Lauren Winkles (Forest) CREW: Madison McKee, Terrick Jones, Kat Smith, Lexie Oliver, Breanna Brooks, Dylan Abernathy, and Brelan Rogers. 

By C. Campbell, Staff Writer

cody@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, Ala. — Plainview High School has a relatively long tradition with its theater program. In the past few years, however, the program has moved into the realm of competitive theater with other Alabama high schools.

Earlier this month, the Bear Theater reached a major milestone in its history. During the state competitions at the University of North Alabama in Florence, the Bear Theater was named Best in Show, meaning that they were rated as one of the top five high school theater groups in Alabama.

According to Cindy Black, the official sponsor of Bear Theater at Plainview, it was in 2011 that the school’s theater program started competing with other high schools. This year, the group brought in a new director, Kayleigh Smith, from Northeast. For this year’s competition schedule, Black said that Bear Theater performed a one-act play, The Dance of the Grizzle, written by Alabama native Roy Hudson.

During the district and state competitions, the members of Bear Theater were awarded with a number of honors. At the district competition, held the first Saturday in November at Northeast, the group was awarded Best Actor, Best Actress, and Seniors Emily Adams and Camron Ballenger were given All-Star honors in the competition. 

When asked how they felt to be honored at state and district, Adams, who played "The Girl," stated, "“It’s a dream I’ve had for being a Trumbauer for four years now, and it just kinda come true this year. It’s awesome.” Adams has been involved with Bear Theatre for five years. 

Ballenger, who took Best Actor at District competition and Allstar at state said, "It’s humbling really. I mean to have recognition in front of that many people, it's why I do it." 

Their showing at district allowed them to compete at the state level on the first Friday and Saturday of December at UNA. Bear Theater was awarded Best in Show, an honor given to the top five high school theater groups in Alabama and two members were awarded All-Star recognition.

According to Black, Opelika and James Clemens were named the two best groups, allowing them to move on to the next level and enter the national competition.

Going into the future, Black explained what the future may hold for Bear Theater. “Being one of the top two schools in Alabama and going to nationals, this is our next major goal to reach.”

While advancing only as far as state may not have been the ending this year’s members of Bear Theater envisioned, being named in the top five during just their second appearance at the state competition, and their fifth season of competitive theater is no small accomplishment.

With the many awards presented to Bear Theater and its members during the 2016 competitions, next year’s actors and actresses have much to look forward to, but a high bar to reach for.