Weathering a major power outage, a medical emergency, and a field of talented teams, the Shakesbears of Kodiak High School took first place at the Alaska School Activities Association Drama, Debate, and Forensics State Tournament.
In full disclosure, Jared Griffin is the coach of the Shakesbears and is a member of the KMXT news team. We are all extremely proud of him.
The Shakesbears competed in five events, with finalists in all five. This was their second win in only their third year competing. They are now one of three high schools with back-to-back wins.
This year was different as far as tournaments go, with the pandemic bringing the contest onto the internet with webcams. Actors often rely on the audience to inform their work, and without an audience, performers end up feeling in the dark…
This feeling was compounded by the dramatic loss of power across Kodiak Island, rendering the Shakesbears literally in the dark.
KHS Senior Alli Hartt was performing her piece when the power went out. She says that her teammates rushed to her aid, flashlights in hand, to illuminate her performance.
“I was kind of like, okay, no pressure, but there’s a lot of pressure. So, I like told the judge, I was like, Hey, I’m…. the power went out. But I still want to perform for you if that’s okay. She was like “cool,”’ Hartt said.
Alli says it all worked out quite nicely in the end.
“And I got a one in that round. Which means like, at first, first place in that round, which is really cool. And honestly, it’s all attributed to my teammates,” Hartt said.
The Shakesbears coach was also down for the count midway in the tournament; Jared Griffin went to the ER that same evening with a kidney stone. He has since recovered.
The Shakesbears team includes Marissa Abston, Arcacia Birbilas, Mary Grace Enriquez, Alli Hartt, BJ Jones, Audrey Lonheim, Devina Melin, Garett Pittman, Krista Simpler, and Gracie Thomas. Their work together carries on the community theatre tradition of Kodiak.
Among them are many graduating seniors, leaving open space in the future team. If you or someone you know is a student at KHS, encourage them to apply for the team by contacting Coach Griffin at griffinjared1@gmail.com or by reaching out to the KHS Drama Club Facebook page.
