Plano East Theatre Students Advance to UIL Regional Finals

April 15, 2005

For the fourth time in five years, Plano East Theatre students, under the direction of Lisa Hale, will be competing in the UIL One Act Play Regional Finals with their production of Bertolt Brecht’s "The Good Woman of Setzuan." Plano East advanced from the UIL Area competition on Saturday, April 9, in Coppell. They will compete in the regional finals on Saturday, April 23, in Lubbock at Texas Tech.

Melissa Wright (above) as Shen Te surrounded by the "homeless" (l-r) Jeremy Gilbert, David Quintero, Bianca Baidoo, Ruth Tedros, Cody Winchester and Melissa Kendall.

The students will present a free performance of “The Good Woman of Setzuan” at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, in the school theatre located at 3000 Los Rios Blvd. Call (469) 752-9247, for more information. This is the fourth regional appearance in five years for Plano East who finished second in the state last year with their performance of “Big Love.”

Individual Awards

• Melissa Wright - Best Actress
• Ozi Akagha - All Star Cast
• Pierce Purselley, Bianca Baidoo, Chris Villalobos and Marissa Krejci - Honorable Mention All Star Cast.
• Other members of the award winning company include Andrea Chiarello, Jeremy Gilbert, Cody Winchester, Melissa Kendall, David Quintero, Ruth Tedros, Mac Abney, Brittany West, Matt Smith, Megan Griffith, Ericka Strickland, Lindsay Coffin and Jeff Widman.

More than 250 5-A high schools enter the UIL One Act Play Contest every year with only the top 24 advancing to the regional level. Two schools from each of the four regions will advance to the UIL State meet. Last year, Plano East finished second in the state.

Pictured (l-r) Melissa Wright, Pierce Purselley, Ozi Akagha, Matt Smith and Brittany West.