A bevy of Mercer Island High School (MIHS) Drama Department students recently took their skills to a higher echelon by notching awards and by participating in events on the national and local scenes.

Greg Chvany, Alec Martin, Milo Mechem-Miller and Annabel Rimmer trekked to Bloomington, Indiana, to perform, engage in workshops and college auditions and more at the International Thespian Festival (ITF) from June 19-23 alongside 4,000 other students from around the country.

Mechem-Miller received a perfect-score superior award in the solo acting realm and took home a Thespy for his category. Rimmer received an excellent award in her category of solo musical theater. Both winners and the others qualified on the state level to attend the national event.

In Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre Awards Project in June, stage manager Kindred McQueen received special honors in student achievement; Sadie Jensen received the senior spotlight award; Kyle Gerstel won for outstanding work in the character development category, which also saw Abby Weiss, Asier Sadaba and Mechem-Miller win special recognition.

MIHS drama director and teacher Daniela Melgar noted, “I am so proud of the recent achievements by the drama students. I attended ITF when I was in high school and it was such an amazing experience. To be surrounded by so many drama students from around the country — folks who love it as much as I do, who are committed to their craft — is inspiring and motivating.”

Melgar added that the ITF foursome displayed focus, talent and a love for theater at the prestigious event.

Katy Ramsey, MIHS drama teacher and production coordinator, praised the students and Melgar for their hard work and talent at the ITF and within the school drama sphere.

“(Melgar) gives these students the tools to be successful in their craft and creates a safe space for them to take real risks like competing on such a big stage,” said Ramsey, who helped coordinate and guide the passionate and talented students through their 5th Avenue awards journey.

Ramsey also lauded the students who won 5th Avenue awards and described the new rules and processes for the character development honors: “Judges did not come out to see our students perform — we had to bring the performances to the judges. So these students are not only mega-talented but also persevering.”

Some of the feedback that the 5th Avenue awards professional theater judges showered upon the locals in the character development category included: Gerstel delivering an assured performance, Weiss being poised and at ease on stage, Sadaba having beautiful movement, and Mechem-Miller displaying animation and energy.

Mechem-Miller and Rimmer noted that they’ve gained confidence, become part of a supportive community and more while honing their skills with the MIHS Drama Department and during competitions.

“The MIHS Drama Department, without a doubt, was the single most influential factor in my development as a theater artist,” said Mechem-Miller, adding that delving into unfamiliar roles was one plus of the process. “It developed an undying passion for the arts in me, which is the most important quality any artist can have.”

Added Rimmer: “I learned how to establish the character and the relationship of who I am talking to at the beginning of the scene. ITF provided the opportunity to connect with drama kids from all across the country, which was such an amazing experience.”

Preparation was crucial for Mechem-Miller at the ITF, and therefore, the actor entered the competition relaxed and confident.

“Regardless of how you do, all participants receive specific feedback and constructive criticism from the judges. That commentary was mainly what I was performing for, and that is valuable no matter what score I got. It is always incredibly beneficial to get feedback from many diverse places to develop a comprehensive idea of your strengths and weaknesses as a performer,” said Mechem-Miller, an MIHS Class of 2023 graduate who has written a short play that will be produced through Penguin Productions and performed this summer.

For Rimmer, it was practice, making improvements from the state competition and following directions from her vocal coach that had her reaping success at the ITF.

Looking to the future, the rising MIHS senior discussed her drama aspirations: “I hope to attend a university that provides the opportunity for me to major in theater. My hope is that performing allows me to make a difference in people’s lives and that it takes me to bigger stages where I make a living doing what I love.”