GREENSBORO, Ga. — Lake Oconee Academy’s high school theatre troupe captured the Region One-Act Play Championship trophy on On Oct. 28, with their moving production of “Mockingbird” that tells the story of Caitlin, a young girl on the autism spectrum. All-Star Cast awards went to Geetha Sangam and Yariel Delgado Schelmetty. Elisha Copeland was named Region Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mrs. Brook, the school counselor. Additionally, the Region Best Actress and Actor awards went to Elisa Garcia-Carreras, who played the role of Caitlin and Walker Cannon, who played Caitlin’s father. “Mockingbird” is a play by Julie Jensen based on the national award-winning book by Kathryn Erskine. 

Two weeks after their Region win, the troupe was named State Runner-Up at the Class A, Division II State One-Act Play Competition at Baldwin High School where they competed against seven other productions from Echols County, McIntosh County, Seminole County, Hawkinsville, DeKalb County School of the Arts, Rainey McCullers School of the Arts and Georgia Military College Prep. All-Star Cast awards went to Elisha Copeland and Yariel Delgado Schelmetty. In addition, the State Best Actress medal was awarded to Elisa Garcia-Carreras. LOA previously won the state title in 2020 with the student-written piece “LifeChangers” and in 2019 with the musical “Quilters.” They were also named state runner-up in 2018 with “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” and in 2021 with the musical “Working.” 

Cast and crew members of “Mockingbird” include: Walker Cannon, Emma Cooper, Elisha Copeland, Yariel Delgado Schelmetty, Julia Dixon, Elisa Garcia-Carreras, Cheyenne Gilman, Andrew Hankinson, Genna Lawson, Geetha Sangam, D’Karrah Terrell, Sophie Usry, and Gracie Vandiver. The show was directed by Lora Garcia-Carreras with assistant directors, Kelly Ingle and Cathy Williamson. Original music was composed by Amy Reber with sound and lighting provided by Bob Williamson and Vickie Spivey. For more on LOA’s region and state championship run, follow @LOATheatre on Facebook and Instagram.