Fresh off their second consecutive state title, the Augusta Junior Players will bring SISTAS: The Musical to the stage Oct. 27-29.
“This tackles a lot of issues — the issues of family, the issues of single moms, the issues of civil rights,” said Roy Lewis, the show’s director.
The thespians traveled to Columbus Oct. 20 and competed in the annual Georgia Theatre Conference where they won multiple awards including best show on Oct. 21. Teagan Johnson won best supporting performance; Tayllor Davis won best principal performer and Charlissa Smith, Angel Smith and Bethanie Griffen were named all-star cast.
Lilliana Miller Lofton received first place; Aidan Rolle received second; and Ebin Ryan received third for high school IE comedic and Angel Smith placed first for adult IE dramatic.
Last year, the Augusta Junior Players won the state competition for Sister Act.
The show SISTAS: The Musical is about a family preparing for the matriarch’s funeral. Music and memories weave together as the family member gather in the attic and go through mementoes, learning more about her past as the play progresses.
“It’s beautiful and riveting,” said Lewis.
And it brings to the surface many issues that are often swept under the rug, he said.
The music in the show runs the gamut of songs from Mahalia Jackson to Donna Summer to Beyonce, representing the journey of Black women.
What makes the teens’ victory even more significant is that they competed in the community division against adult actors, rather than in the high school category.
They will compete in the Southeastern Theatre conference in March 2024 in Birmingham, Ala.
Shows are scheduled at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 27 and 28 and 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Kroc Center.
Tickets are $5-$15. For more information, go here.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
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