Exeter High School Brings Home Four New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild Awards

I LOVED the drama club in high school and one of my fondest memories is competing in the METG (Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild) Drama Festival every year. We made it to states two of my four years, and got to perform at the John Hancock Hall in Boston. What a thrill! I still keep in touch with friends I made from other schools at "Festival" (that's what the cool kids would call it). I even received an acting award or "All Star" award my sophomore year. I will never forget the feeling of walking on stage and accepting that award in front of my peers.

This competition meant so much to me in my youth, and I wanted to find a way to stay involved as an adult. I have been supervising the drama festival in my home state of Massachusetts for the past 6 years. It's a long and tiring day, but at the end I always feel an overwhelming sense of fulfillment. It is so satisfying to know that I played a small role in this special day that many of these students will remember forever.

I come from a long line of theater and music educators, so knowing that the arts are thriving in New Hampshire schools makes my inner theater kid rejoice with glee!

The theater department at Exeter High School just had an amazing run with their rendition of "Eurydice". They made it to the state level of the NHETG State Drama festival, and are the proud recipients of Best Performance, Best Ensemble, Original Music Composition and All-Star Company awards.

• Best Ensemble was won by the nine-actor Stone Chorus
• Two EHS seniors, guitarist Shea Hagan and vocalist Isabella Balfour, both of Exeter, were honored for their Original Music Composition
• Balfour earned two other awards, including the All-Star Company recognition for her role as 'Orpheus' and the Robert A. Stuart Award for Best Performance at the festival

According to a press release, EHS theatre director and English teacher Joel Iwaskiewicz said:

“Not only did our students present a stunning piece of theatre, but they brought energy, focus, and kindness everywhere they went throughout the festival and the entire experience is a testament to resilience of our students"

The Covid-19 pandemic made this drama festival impossible these past few years. The students really missed connecting with each other and expressing themselves artistically in that time.

Joel went on to say:

"I am exceedingly grateful and so very proud. It was both humbling and thrilling that our cast and crew were honored with four awards.”

BIG 'OLE CONGRATS TO THE CAST AND CREW!