By Ethan Walshe
Managing Editor
Westford Academy Theater Arts’ production of The Hairy Ape advanced to the final round Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s drama festival Saturday, following the semi-finals held at Westford Academy. Chelmsford High School’s production of The 39 Steps also advanced. This differs from previous years, when three plays advanced to the state finals as opposed to this year’s two.
WATA gave a powerful performance of this year’s competition play during the festival on Saturday. They were the fifth of six schools to perform, amongst North Reading High School’s Medea, Boston Arts Academy’s 3014, Lemonster High School’s Bits and Pieces, and Everett High School’s The Good Life.
Senior Will Clark carried the play in his lead role as Yank, a laborer in the stokes of an ocean liner who attempts to find belonging in the world. After failing to find this in both the ocean liner and amongst socialite in Manhattan, Yank attempts to find companionship with a gorilla at the zoo, who kills him at the play’s closing.
In addition to advancing to the state finals, several WA students received individual awards. Awards for Excellence in Acting went to seniors Will Clark and Michaela Burke. Awards for technical excellence were divided into two categories: Lighting Design and Set Design. These awards went to junior Elise Paugh and the ensemble of Daniel Bubin, Peter Cialli, Katie Levitsky, Scott Coull, Erin Carr and Nick Calow respectively. Awards for Excellence in Choreography and Excellence in Costume Design went to senior Christine Torto and the group of Sarah Welch, Alexa Lambert, Sam Sheppard, Anna Hartman and Sam Calow. Lastly, an award for Excellence in Ensemble Performance was won by JC Davis, Kyle Hughes, Nolan LaFlamme, Andrew McEvoy, Daniel Regan, Nathan Rigione, Kyle Russo, and Matt Sullivan.
There will be one final performance of The Hairy Ape at Westford Academy in the Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 21 and 8 p.m. The show will be performed at the METG State Finals in Boston on Friday, March 23 at 1 p.m.