Theater -- Tom Titus

Drama students from Estancia, Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar high

schools did themselves proud at the recent California Educational Theater

Assn. Festival at Monrovia High School in Monrovia.

In the competition involving more than 100 schools, Estancia and

Corona del Mar each received a dozen certificates of excellence, while

Newport Harbor won 10. Both Estancia and Newport Harbor were among the

nine schools selected to perform a scene from their fall productions.

Estancia’s entry was “Our Town,” while Newport Harbor presented “The Boys

Next Door.”

Festival judges awarded Newport Harbor High the best ensemble for

scene work award, the prestigious Flip Reade award for movement (to Tyler

Schatzlein) and six scholarships to Sacramento for California Youth in

Theater Day.

Estancia’s Jessica Arias received a best actress award for scene work,

as well as the Vivian Bish Edwards scholarship and a scholarship to

Sacramento for California Youth in Theater Day, as did Estancia’s

director Pauline Maranian. Jessica also was chosen to compete for college

scholarships at the college theater festival in Hayward later this year.

The California Youth in Theater Day is sponsored by both the

California Educational Theater Assn. and the International Thespian

Society. Students, accompanied by their teachers, will gather March 26 in

the state capital and perform scenes, monologues and musical theater

selections for state legislators.

Students will have the opportunity to meet with their senator or

assemblyman to discuss the importance of arts education in schools.

They’ll also tour the capital and visit the first theater built in

Sacramento.

***

BACKSTAGE -- Newport Harbor High School drama students are in

rehearsal for their spring musical, “Guys and Dolls.” The show will be

staged Feb. 28 and March 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m. in the school’s Robert

Wentz Theater. Tickets are $10 at the door, and reservations may be

obtained by calling (949) 515-6341.

* TOM TITUS writes about and reviews local theater for the Daily

Pilot. His stories appear Thursdays and Saturdays.