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Dominic J. Cunetto, founder of the High School Drama Festival (seated), congratulates the directors of the winning productions from the North Festival, including (from left) John Davenport, Oxford; Mandy Kinney, Starkville; Carol McRae, Olive Branch; and Myra Byrnes, Corinth. Not pictured is Leah Shollengberg, Lafayette County. (Courtesy photo)

Olive Branch High School to Compete in State Drama Festival
TUPELO. – Ten high schools will compete for state drama honors when Tupelo Community Theatre and Tupelo High welcome the 2010 Mississippi Theatre Association’s Festival on Jan, 14-17. The 10 theatres won the right to compete during regional festivals held earlier this month.
In addition to high school performances, the annual theatre festival will showcase community theatre productions, workshops, individual competitions, college auditions and theatre productions for area school children.
Earlier this month, over 30 high schools competed in the regional High School Drama Festivals held at Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. A panel of adjudicators not only selected the top shows, but offered each cast and crew constructive feedback on their performance. Those schools selected to the state festival in Tupelo are:

North Regional Representatives:
Corinth High School
Lafayette High School
Olive Branch High School
Oxford High School
Starkville High School
South Regional Representatives:
Oak Grove High School
Hattiesburg High School
Pearl River Central High School
Picayune Memorial High School
Ocean Springs High School

Stephen Cunetto, executive director of the Mississippi Theatre Association, congratulated the high schools for advancing to the state festival, as well as all those who competed.
"It is very exciting to see such quality theatre being performed at high schools all over the state,” Cunetto said. “We are thrilled that these schools will be representing their districts and that two of these schools will eventually be representing the State of Mississippi at the regional festival being held in March 2010."
The executive director also offered appreciation to Jo and Wayne Durst, Melanie Harris, and Marianna Ulmer of Mississippi State for hosting the North Festival and Robin Carr, David Stellhorn, and Andreas Parker of USM for hosting the South Festival.
“These festivals would not be possible without the dedication and hard work provided by these individuals and institutions,” Cunetto said.
The MTA festival not only gives theatre companies from around the state the opportunity to compete, but also allows theatre enthusiasts to view other theatre productions and learn about various aspects of live performances from a group of experienced adjudicators.
Attendees wanting to participate in all aspects of the festival are encouraged to pre-register online at www.mta-online.org. Tickets will be available at the door. General admission for the event costs $5 per show, $15 per block of productions or $35 for the entire weekend of plays.
The festival begins Thursday, Jan. 14 and ends Sunday, Jan. 17. The 10 high schools will compete Friday and Saturday mornings, with community theatres competing in the afternoons and evenings. The MTA Festival is open to the general public.
Performance times will be released at a later date.
The mission of MTA is to foster appreciation of and participation in children's, college, community, high school, professional and university theatre in Mississippi by sponsoring festivals, workshops, and retreats; communicating with members and the public; acting as an advocate to government agencies, business, and the public; recognizing excellence in performance and production; and sanctioning representatives to regional festivals. See www.mta-online.org/ for more information on the Mississippi Theatre Association. MTA is sponsored in part by a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission.