Manchester Essex Middle School Wins Gold Medal at the METG Festival for Production of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

Manchester Essex Regional School District is proud to share that middle school students were honored with a gold medal at the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) Drama Festival on Sunday, May 3 for their production of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." The Middle School Drama Festival is an annual event organized by the METG. It provides a platform for middle school students to showcase their one-act plays, learn from one another, and receive constructive feedback from professionals. Judges recognize outstanding talent by awarding plaques and presenting All-Star Awards for performance and technical excellence.  Students' production of 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' earned an overall gold medal, the highest level of recognition awarded at the festival.  The production also received the Stage Manager's Award, which is given by the host school to the most respectful, easiest to work with group throughout the weekend's performances. Sam Walsh was the production's Stage Manager, and Frankie Villa French was the Set Designer. Four students additionally received an all-star award from the judges for Excellence in Acting:  Isaac Collins, who played Ichabod Crane Bella Arnold, who played Brom Bones Elia Simon, who played Mrs. Clossen Bridget Desrosiers, who played Kid 2 Additionally, the following students were recognized by the judges for Excellence in Technical Theater:  Aria Gadoury (costumes/makeup and stage crew) Addie Woodman (costumes/makeup and stage crew) Chloe Deery (costumes/makeup, stage crew and set design) Amelie Munroe (stage crew) Manchester Essex Regional School District would like to recognize co-directors Tyler Garofalo and Jenny Hersey, as well as all of the students who participated in the production: Isaac Collins, Bella Arnold, Josh Dokken, Ian Burke, Audrey Donnellan Valade, Parker Woulfe, Zoe Rubens, Evie Lamphear, Clarinda Bradford, Eliza Flatley, Molly McKeen, Elia Simon, Ronan Morgan, Emily Chouinard, Bridget Desrosiers, Madison Greco, Camden Sharp, Lucia Ochs, Frankie Villa French, Chloe Deery, Addie Woodman, Aria Gadoury, Sam Walsh, Amelie Munroe and McKenzie Murray.  "The drama festival is a great confidence builder for middle school students as they are expected to complete all parts of a production from lights to sets to costumes to sound design and acting on their own," said Co-Director Tyler Garofalo. "The day itself is such a celebration of theatre and the students feel so accomplished.”