The Queen Creek High School (QCHS) Theatre Company recently showcased its talent and dedication at multiple major theatre events, earning top honors and statewide recognition for the 2024–2025 school year.
Under the direction of theatre director Nicholas Smith, 44 QCHS Theatre Company students attended the Arizona State Thespian Festival in Phoenix on January 19–20. The troupe was selected to perform its fall production, A Murder is Announced, in front of a collective audience of approximately 2,500 attendees, which was recognized with a commemorative plaque. In addition, the Theatre Company was named a Gold Honor Troupe, celebrating its outstanding achievements throughout the school year.
Students also earned a superior ranking plaque for the one-act musical Anastasia: Youth Edition, directed by senior Kamden Tinsley. QCHS made history as Run With It Improv competed for the first time, while the tech challenge team—Parker Frease, Claire Manzke, Estella Witz, and Elias Miley—earned an impressive 2nd place overall out of 57 teams from across the state. Throughout the festival, students received praise from professional crews for their work ethic, preparation, and dedication.
In addition to festival success, the Theatre Company recently hosted three classroom performances, including sold-out shows of Anastasia: Youth Edition and Appropriate Audience Behavior, directed by Elias Miley. The performances also included a world-premiere original one-act written and performed by the Queen Creek Junior High Drama Club, highlighting a growing partnership between the two programs.
The accolades continued at the Eastern Arizona Festival of Theatre, where QCHS students earned 30 superior rankings, 13 excellent rankings, and a 2nd place overall finish in BACKStage Challenge. Across all events, students represented Queen Creek High School and the district with professionalism, teamwork, and pride.
The Theatre Company now looks ahead with excitement to its upcoming spring musical, Big Fish: School Edition.
Participants and results:
| Event | Student | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Musical | Kayla Rowley | Superior |
| Monologue | Eli Miley | Superior |
| Monologue | Abigail Williams | Superior |
| Duet Musical | Lyvia Parechanian, Ryder-Lin Bahm | Superior |
| Duet Dance | Kamden Tinsley, Abigail Williams | Superior |
| Makeup Design | Lilly Bradshaw | Superior |
| Solo Musical | Morgan Roberts | Superior |
| Theatre Marketing | Ellie Martin | Superior |
| Costume Construction | Lilly Bradshaw | Superior |
| Theatre Marketing | Sophia Mathes | Superior |
| Costume Design | Kylie Mills | Superior |
| Costume Design | Lilly Bradshaw | Superior |
| Duet Musical | Ellie Martin, Gracen Enyart | Superior |
| Monologue | Kenzie Larsen | Superior |
| Theatre Marketing | Kayla Rowley | Superior |
| Duet Acting | Emma Barriga, Oliviera Asta | Superior |
| Duet Acting | Eli Miley, Parker Frease | Superior |
| Duet Musical | Miah Dominguez, Devin Mock | Superior |
| Group Musical | Ryder-Lin Bahm, Olivia Linn, Lyvia Parechanian, Braden Gholston, Abigail Williams | Superior |
| Group Dance | Emma Barriga, Parker Frease, Braden Gholston, Kimber Klein, Olivia Linn, Sophia Mathes, Elias Miley, Devin Mock, Lyvia Parechanian, Bailey Pennington, Kamden Tinsley, Abigail Williams | Superior |
| Solo Musical | Devin Mock | Superior |
| Group Acting | Eli Miley, Oliviera Asta, Parker Frease, Emma Barriga | Superior |
| Group Musical | Miah Dominguez, Devin Mock, Kamden Tinsley, Kayla Rowley | Superior |
| Solo Musical | Ryder-Lin Bahm | Superior |
| Solo Musical | Lyvia Parechanian | Superior |
| Stage Management | Parker Frease | Superior |
| Duet Acting | Sophia Mathes, Edyn Urbina | Superior |
| Sound Design | Estella Witz | Superior |
| Scenic Design | Claire Manzke | Superior |
| Scenic Design | Nixon Hatch | Superior |
| Solo Musical | Kenzie Larsen | Excellent |
| Group Acting | Sophia Mathes, Ryder-Lin Bahm, Olivia Linn, Edyn Urbina, Lyvia Parechanian, Kylie Mills | Excellent |
| Costume Design | Kimber Klein | Excellent |
| Duet Acting | Nayra Musisi, Deijha Vaughn | Excellent |
| Theatre Marketing | Lyvia Parechanian | Excellent |
| Monologue | Ellie Martin | Excellent |
| Monologue | Kimber Klein | Excellent |
| Duet Musical | Kayla Rowley, Kamden Tinsley | Excellent |
| Duet Musical | Kylie Mills, Edyn Urbina | Excellent |
| Makeup Design | Nayra Musisi | Excellent |
| Theatre Marketing | Mackenzie Rocha | Excellent |
| Props Construction | Estella Witz | Excellent |
| Costume Construction | Estella Witz | Excellent |
| Duet Acting | Ryder Lin-Bahm, Braden Gholston | Excellent |
| BACKStage Challenge | Eli Miley, Parker Frease, Claire Manzke, Estella Witz | 2nd Place |