PCA Theatre students competed at the Palmetto Dramatics Association and South Carolina Thespian Festival at USC Aiken: (front row, l–r) Tevin Williams, Dawn Bussell, and Abbie Pearman, (second row) Kitty Janvrin, Alexis Mercado, Catherine Ann Taylor, Lisa Houck, Katie Lott, Madeline Warrington, and Jasmin Wilson, (third row) Gaal Almor, Torron Grimes, Trey King, Caryn Wells, Hermon Whaley, Jalissa Fulton, and Tyne Freeman. For the first time in its history, the Palmetto Dramatics Association awarded its three top playwriting awards to one school — Richland Northeast High School. RNE’s Palmetto Center for the Arts Theatre students competed at the event, held jointly with the South Carolina Thespians, at USC Aiken recently.

The Palmetto Dramatics Association Original Playwriting Awards went to Rachel Lourie, Jasmin Wilson, and Katie Burke, who won first, second and third place, respectively. Lourie first–place winner, “The Cardinal Rule,” also received a Superior rating for production and an Honorable Mention for the acting ensemble Gaal Almor, Torron Grimes, and Trey King.

Wilson’s “Child’s Play” also received an Excellent rating for production. In addition, Hermon Whaley received an Excellent Acting Award for his performance. The cast also included Jasmin Wilson, Caryn Wells, and Kitty Janvrin.

Burke’s “To Love” featured Jessie Johnson, Katie Lott, Catherine Ann Taylor, Gaal Almor, Abbie Pearman, Lisa Houck, Tevin Williams, Trey King, and Hermon Whaley. In addition, the play received an Honorable Mention for production, and Tevin Williams received an Honorable Mention in Acting.

Also as part of Palmetto Dramatics Association Festival, Jasmin Wilson won an Excellent in costume design, and Alexis Mercado won an Excellent in makeup design.

PCA theatre students also came away with Superior ratings in the South Carolina Thespian Individual Events Competition — Caryn Wells and Hermon Whaley for Duet Musical, Hannah Lanford and Hermon Whaley for Duet Acting, Morgan Grooms and Katie Lott for Duet Acting, and Caryn Wells for Solo Musical performance. These five students have been invited to compete at the International Thespian Conference to be held at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in June.