One Act Play’s “Peter and the Starcatcher” earned the area champion title on Thursday, March 29 at the Area One Act Play Competition in Denison.

“We have been working so hard,” Bella Walker said. “This is one of my favorite plays we have done and I am excited to see how far we go.”

Five Melissa students earned individual awards at the area competition, including Jacob Gallimore, Best Actor; Bella Walker, Best Actress; Justin Berkeland, All Star Cast; Drew Richardson, Honorable Mention All Star Cast; and Braelyn Van Schepen, Outstanding Technician. The overall Outstanding Tech Crew award went to Isabella Lofaro, Skyler Harman, Braelyn Van Schepen, Dania Erwin, and Natalie Somers.

“It was amazing seeing how many awards we were able to win, on top of placing first in the competition. We work so well together as a team,” Bella Walker said.

The production advances to the regional competition on Friday, April 13 at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Melissa will be the fourth show of the day, scheduled to perform at  approximately 5:00 p.m. Tickets are limited and will be $5 per show or $25 for the full day. More details will be made available closer to the competition date.