Groves Forensics and Advanced Theater Shine at Regionals—Headed to State!
Over the past week and a half, our Advanced Theatre/Forensics students competed in the MIFA District and Regional One Act Theatre competitions, presenting the powerful docudrama Orphan Trains by Deborah Craig. Their performance earned 1st place at Regionals at Henry Ford II High School in Utica, with an outstanding average score of 95/100 — an incredible achievement that reflects their talent, preparation, and teamwork.
With this win, the cast and crew advance to the State Competition on February 13–14 at St. John’s High School, where they will compete for the opportunity to repeat as State Champions after last year’s title.
Our students brought home an impressive number of Superior and Excellent individual awards across acting, duet performances, ensemble work, sound, costumes, scenic design, lobby display, and program execution. Highlights include:
Multiple Superior Acting awards, including Ari Bigelman, Mina Melamed, and ensemble honors for the full cast
Technical theatre recognitions for costume design, sound/music, scenic arrangements, and production execution
Outstanding collaboration across cast and crew, showcasing the true spirit of theatre as a team effort
In addition, Groves participated in the new MIFA/META Short Play event, presenting STEM by Arlene Hutton, earning Superior awards for Audience Connection and Innovation, along with several individual acting honors. They will also represent Groves at states in this category.
We are incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity, and professionalism these students demonstrate. Their commitment to storytelling, teamwork, and excellence truly embodies The Groves Way.
A public performance will be hosted after Mid-Winter Break, and we encourage our community to come out and support these talented Falcons.
Break a leg at States — One Love, Go Falcons!
Individual Award Winners
SUPERIOR
Ari Bigelman-Acting (Yakob) [District/Regional]
Cordelia Thomas/Zoe Burrell-Faulk -Duet Acting [Regional]
Ensemble-Sound Execution on stage [Regional]
Ravi Gratch, Zoe Laker and Lexie Pintar-Costume Design [Regional]
Mina Melamed/Quentin Pierre-Lobby Display [Regional]
Mina Melamed-Acting (Maria) [District]
Michael Brown-Acting (Milo P. Burke) [District]
Mina Melamed-Program design/execution [District]
Ari Bigelman, Sydney Foster and Ari Kutinsky-Scenic arrangements [District]
Zoe Burrell-Faulk and Cordelia Thomas-Sound/music [District]
Entire Cast-Acting (Ensemble) [Regional]
- Annie Johnston
- Ari Bigelman
- Ari Kutinsky
- Caroline Tushman
- Cordelia Thomas
- Corinne Alrawi
- Isabela Vazquez
- Lexie Pintar
- Macy Finnerty
- Madeline Zdrojewski
- Michael Brown
- Mina Melamed
- Quentin Pierre
- Ravi Gratch
- Sarah Melamed
- Sydney Foster
- Xavier Drake
- Zoe Burrell-Faulk
- Zoe Laker
EXCELLENT
Ravi Gratch, Zoe Laker and Alexis Pintar-Costume Design [Regional]
Corinne Alrawi-Acting (Mrs. Tippit)
Xavier Drake-Acting (Farmer Lathie/Mayor Creagan) [District]
Zoe Burrell-Faulk-Acting (Miss Mattie Wrightman) [District]
Annie Johnston-Acting (Justina)-[District]
Cordelia Thomas-Acting (Marlena) [District]
