CHS Theatre Wing to present award-winning musical ‘Violet’
Cook High Theater Wing – Region 1-AA One Act Play Competition – 3rd Place
Congratulations to Cook High School Theatre Wing’s cast and crew for their production of “Violet, the Musical” placing third at Region 1-AA One Act Play Competition. The event was held on Oct. 27, 2022, at Fitzgerald High School.
Also, congratulations to seniors Anzleigh Peacock and Carter Exum for being honored as Region All Star Cast Members. Carter stars as Violet in “Violet” and serves as the Student Director for the production. Anzleigh stars as The Preacher in “Violet.” This is Anzleigh’s second year in a row winning Region Cast Member. Their performances are certain to delight local audiences, young and old alike.
The Theatre Wing will present “Violet” at the Carolyn Harris Performing Arts Center on Thursday, Nov. 3; Saturday, Nov. 5; Thursday, Nov. 10; and Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students. Tickets are available for purchase on MySchoolBucks or in person. The box office will open 10 minutes before the show.
The cast includes:
Violet – Carter Exum; Young Vi – Megan Lawrence; Flick – Matthew Sermons; Monty – Lucas Ward; Father – Toby Ellis; Preacher – Anzleigh Peacock; Old Lady- Emily Smith; Virgil – Jayley Moore; Lulu Buffington – Amiyah Brown; Leroy Evans/Bus Driver 1 – Allure Ford; Bus Driver 2 – Jordan Daniels; Bus Driver 3 – Morgan North; Bus Driver 4 – Shondria Smith.
Ensemble – Kamea Brown, JaKayla Jackson, Monchez Johnson, Asia Patterson, JaDestine Patterson, Shondria Smith, Rokita Spencer, Tavae’ Tolbert, and Emma Warren.
The crew members include:
Student Director – Carter Exum; Production Stage Manager – Z’mya Thompson; Assistant Stage Manager – Amaya Durden*; Assistant Stage Manager (backstage SR) – Aalexis Scruggs; Assistant Stage Manager (backstage SL) – Josie Lawrence; Lights – Amaya Durden; Sound – Z’mya Thompson; Student Choreography – Jayley Moore, Z’mya Thompson; Spotlight – Jenaya Tucker.
Run Crew – Bradley Artiaga-Trejo, Armoni Brown, Kamea Brown, JaKayla Jackson, Monchez Johnson, Asia Patterson, JaDestine Patterson, Madison Smith, Lainey Solley, Rokita Spencer, Tavae Tolbert, and Emma Warren.
“What is so beautiful about this show is that it is about finding honest and truthful connections with people,” says Elizabeth Powell, director and CHS Theatre Wing advisor. “It’s about faith, found family, and creating safety with people who may be different than us. ‘Violet’ teaches all of us that there is beauty in finding our special place in the world, and that what we may find the most heartbreaking about ourselves is actually the most beautiful.
“There is a special honesty in this show. It guides audiences into learning that we can find a community to accept all of our broken parts, and that sometimes what is broken needs to break again in order to be truly healed. It is a transformative story of physical and emotional breaking and healing, showing us all that sometimes the truest miracles come from learning to love the ugliest parts of ourselves.
“In this world of instant gratification, and ‘likes,’ ‘Violet’ heals its viewers with her powerful demonstration of acceptance, love and the healing power of belief. It is through this belief that we begin to find acceptance. And although our story only covers three days, its important message lasts far beyond.
“I don’t have enough words to describe how proud I am of these incredible people. I can’t imagine a better group of people to spend my time with. Please come see this show, and watch my favorite people heal you.
“Let us give you a reason to rejoice.”
“Violet” is inspired by the short story, “The Ugliest Pilgrim” by Delores Betts.
