By LAURA BROOKHART / Community Columnist

The November production of “And Then There Were None”presented by HHS Theater students reflected the genuine involvement of all of the students participating and an increased maturity in the actors appearing in their respective roles.

For assistance with their British accents, Mark Castle, associate professor of the Samford Theater Department, worked with the cast. Jonah Smith, playing a tall and poised Lombard, was particularly strong with his delivery of the British dialect.

“The 2015 beginning has been a strong one so far,” said Jefferson Casey, HHS Theater teacher. “Many actors came and wanted to do something different. New faces in my Theater classes have stepped up and done amazing work behind the scenes and have me feeling confident that the department as a whole is moving in the right direction as it continues to identify and examine new talent.”

In early November, HHS competed in the District 6 Trumbauer at Mountain Brook High School.

“From that competition,” said Jefferson Casey, “We had 30 students who qualified for state, including our Studio One-Act which also won a Best in Show award.”

At the State Trumbauer Festival at Troy University,HHS students who received superiors and qualified for state level competition include those of the cast of the Studio One-Act play: Jenna Goodson, Matthew Mayfield, Allison Lawley, Trevor Gospordarek, Jonah Smith, Kathleen Maestas, Brayden Watts, Jarrett McMeans, John McCain, Curtis Woods, Hunter Vandercamp, Gillian A., Houston Byrd and Katie Watkins.

Also for Solo Female Comedic Monologue and Makeup Design was Alexa Keith. Curtis Woods qualified for state with his Solo Male Pantomime for his original “Bad Day in the Park.”

Receiving superiors also were Curtis Woods and Hunter Shell, as well as Allison Lawley and Brayden Watts, for duet pantomimes.

Devin Creel wrote and performed her own song, “Song With No Name,” and received a superior for Solo Drama Musical.

“At State,” Creel said, “I enjoyed meeting people from other schools who have as much passion about art and theater as I do. You feel as if they are your family!”

“I was nervous before I sang, but my friends came in and helped me get through it. It’s wonderful feeling to have such support.”

(Those mentioned here are not the complete listing for HHS state winners.)

In Spring 2016, the HHS theater students are looking to try something new and broaden their horizons by staging their first musical, “The Music Man.” Jefferson Casey put out the invitation for HMS students to become involved as well when auditions were held Dec 1-3.