JBHS Drama’s production of Flowers For Algernon won several major awards at the 2015 California Educational Theatre Association (CETA) competition, including Best Ensemble, Best Tech Crew, Best Leading Actor – Male for junior Nick Apostolina’s portrayal of Charlie and Best Leading Actor – Female for senior Samantha Rubin in her role as Alice. The Flip Reade Award for special movement in a theatrical production went to sophomore Christopher Spencer for his role as Little Charlie.
The entire Flowers For Algernon cast and technical crew, along with Director and Drama teacher Guy Myers, Tech Director Jon King, Assistant Tech Director Clarke Surrey and several parent chaperones began loading in the full theatrical production set, including lights and costumes, at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, January 17.
At 8:30 a.m., the curtains rose and JBHS Drama presented Flowers For Algernon at Fullerton’s 1300-seat, historical Plummer Auditorium.
“The cast and I were very nervous that we would be performing so early, we didn’t know if we’d be able to give the audience our best performance,” said Rubin. “We all had to really focus and pull it together.
In addition to the multiple major awards, Burroughs Drama and Tech students won 14 certificates for outstanding performance in many areas, including costume design and direction.
“CETA was such an amazing experience, from getting to meet tons of people from other schools to waking up super early to perform Flowers for Algernon,” Rubin also said. “Everyone was so nice and very supportive.”
“When the show came to an end I got all choked up because I have grown so attached to this cast and show,” she continued. “We were all so honored to be chosen to perform.”
“When they announced that I won best actress I was in shock. I really didn’t think it was real, I thought it was a dream,” Rubin said. “I am so honored to receive this award. And so happy for Nick and the rest of the cast for winning as well.”
“It was a special day for all of the kids who were there and, I think, a shining example of the program and standard of the theatrical education available at Burroughs,” commented Myers. “They did Burbank proud.”
“The students displayed incredible passion and professionalism, and I am extremely proud of them for their collaborative spirit and work ethic,” he added.
Burroughs High School’s Flowers For Algernon was one of four productions selected to perform at the annual CETA Southern High School Theatre Festival, after more than 60 schools were judged in October and November 2014. The festival invited the best high school theater productions in Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego County to perform during the weekend of January 16 – 18, 2015.
Previous articles, including a review, on JBHS Drama’s Flowers For Algernon can be found here and here.
JBHS Drama’s next production is the musical Legally Blonde, which will run from Friday, February 6 through Sunday, February 8, at the Burroughs High School Auditorium.
