Emotional Mustang players congratulate each other after a successful weekend competition.

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – The stage lights shined brightly on the Mustangs at the International Thespian Society (ITS) District 6 Individual Events Competition Oct. 19 in Fort Myers.

LRHS Troupe 6020 competed in acting, musical theatre, and technical theatre competitions. They preformed in 24 events and received 20 Superior ratings as well as four Excellent ratings.

Roxanne Caravan, LRHS drama adviser said, “We were complimented as the best represented group. I am extremely proud of all the students that competed over the weekend.”

Two College Talent Scholarships were awarded to students, including senior Sabrina Gallien.

Mustang Players president senior  Joseph Grosso said “It was an awesome experience. It was my last year, and as president it was great being able to look at all my peers and be so proud of them as a friend and President of our theatre department.”

Grosso competed in four different competitions including Solo Musical, Small Group Musical, Large Group Musical and Scholarship, earning a $500 college scholarship for musical theatre.

Students competing in the Small Group Musical Competition preformed “Bye, Bye Black Bird,” and “Two Laddies.”

The students competing in Large Group Musical Competition preformed “Jet Set,” from “Catch Me if You Can.”

Troupe 6020 member junior Bella Guzman preformed in both small and large group musical competitions as well as pantomime and said, “It’s one of those life changing experiences and you can grow from it. Seeing original works and learning how to improve and grow as a performer but also yourself individually is such a gratifying event. It makes me excited to go to states.”

Troupe 6020 also received the “Most Caring Troupe” for Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aides. LRHS Students also received three Best in Rooms awards in Publicity, Pantomime, and Solo Musical.

Senior Melina Cuffaro competed in a newly added category at the competition, Stage Makeup and scored straight superiors for her work.

Cuffaro said, “i loved it, and it was so much fun! It was a great experience. For doing something new that no one had done before, I think it went pretty well.”

All troupe members that competed qualified for ITS Florida State Thespian Festival in March and the group plans to make just as much of an impact.

The students that competed in the Thespian Festival Competition included,
• Kiara Beverly
• Daniel Calabrese
• Katie Ciemniecki
• Sarah Cox
• MaryKate Crowley
• Melina Cuffaro
• Rebekah Frey
• Tatiana Galante
• Sabrina Gallien
• Rachel Gross
• Joseph Grosso
• Bella Guzman
• Zach Hartman
• Chrissie Heath
• Jackson Helwege
• Jacob Henry
• Jackie Koelsch
• Jessie Kroupa
• Gabby Lavelle
• Sophia Masterson
• Kylee McKinney
• Kristen Mendez
• Pascale Molina
• Nicole Peterson
• Cassie Rankin
• Bryce Register
• Kylee Risdon
• Dorothy Rodriquez
• Sara Scott
• Danny Shevlin
• Nick Wilcox