Sitting in the dark auditorium the keynote speaker is about to announce the list of schools that got superior on individual events. Sophomore Bryce James and senior Anjolina Blackwell wait as the speaker gets ready to announce the duet acting individual event. Suddenly the keynote speaker says Bryce James and Anjolina Blackwell. Meaning the two had scored superior on their acting duet at the Missouri State Thespian Convention. Superior is one of the highest levels a student can score on an individual event at this convention. 

“I didn’t really think about what we were going to get on it, but I was really proud once we performed the scene,” Blackwell said. “I thought we had a good chance at superior, but I did not actually expect to score that well.”

The duo have been acting for the Francis Howell North drama department for two years now. James and Blackwell as well have been acting outside of school productions at local theaters. They both love to act and be in productions. Blackwell even wants to pursue acting in the film industry after high school. The first show they were both together in was You Can’t Take It With You.  

“Acting gives me a chance to express myself,” Blackwell said.

James and Blackwell performed two scene one from A Midsummers Nights Dream by William Shakesphere. Blackwell thought it would be a fun action-based scene. The actors practiced for a few weeks than thought they were unable to compete so the two paused rehearsals. Until after a few weeks they found out they were actually going to compete and needed to get back to practicing. 

“I don’t think we should have practiced as much as we did, but it ended up working out,” James said.