SHREWSBURY, Massachusetts –  Shrewsbury Schools Department of Music and Theatre was pleased to host the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild (METG) 80th Annual Preliminary Round of the State Drama Festival on Saturday, March 5th at Oak Middle School.  Shrewsbury High School, performing The Tempest, advanced to the semi-final round of the State Drama Festival on March 19th at the Bromfield School in Harvard.  Also advancing was Ludlow High School and Wilbraham&Monson Academy.

The METG goals are to “promote and strengthen excellence, access, and education in the theatrical arts for middle and high school students and teachers.”  Participation in competitive theater has been growing; this is the third year Shrewsbury High School has competed in the METG experience.  Jen Webb, Director of The Tempest, notes, “Competitive theatre allows a greater number of students to participate in the creative process, whether it be on-stage or behind the scenes.”  She adds, “Guild rules and guidelines are very specific and a team can only be successful if its members understand teamwork, self-discipline, time management, a strong work ethic and being prepared, similar to the way a sports team competes.”

The Tempest received the following METG ALL STAR Company Awards:

Costume Design & Execution: Fiona Merullo; Music Composition: Nick Andreano & Brendan Freeman; All Star Acting for comedic trio: McKegg Collins, Brenna Daly, and Dmitry Shcherbakov;
All Star Acting Ensemble Work: “The Nymphs”: Katie Bean, Brendan Freeman, Alyssa Lopez, Dina Martinelli, Elise Martorano, Abbey May, Ava McRae, Carol Persons, Julie Rezuke, and Nathaniel Vilandre.  Skye Keene-Babcock won the David Dooley Memorial Award, which is given to a member of the host school who embodies the spirit of festival.