Vandegrift Theatre Co. presents “The Glove Thief”

Under direction of Celeste Schneider, the Vandegrift Theatre Co. UIL one-act play cast and crew advanced to the bi-district level. The group tied with another OAP ensemble by advancing to 6A bi-district, which is the farthest VHS has gotten to date. Photo by Jeff Davis. More coverage on page 4.

L-R Maurya Oruganti, Kate Mattox, Ashley Benedict, Ainsley Gilbert

The Vandegrift Theatre Co. performed “The Glove Thief” – its UIL one-act competition play – for the public last week on April 4 at VHS.

Director Celeste Schneider added a modern twist to the production of “The Glove Thief” by Beth Flintoff.

L-R Nick Remy, Matthew Taylor, Graham Korensky, Wesley Jackson (front)

The cast and crew advanced to the bi-district level this season and earned many awards along the way including: Best Overall Performer: Ashley Benedict; All Star Cast: Savanna Blau, Kate Maddox, Maurya Oruganti, Erin Seitzler; Honorable Mention Cast: Rachel Zook, Matthew Taylor, Ainsley Gilbert, Nick Remy; Best Tech Crew: Beth Eden, Sophie Forest, and Brooke Dickerson, who also received All Star Technician.

“The Glove Thief” is based on the true story of cousins Queen Elizabeth I of England and Mary, Queen of Scots. It is set at Tutbury and Whitehall Palace, in England in February 1569.

Although they never even met, Elizabeth and Mary were two of the greatest, most legendary rivals in recorded history.

L-R Raine Collier, Savanna Blau, Rachel Zook, Emily Geraci

According to a synopsis of events: In one castle was Elizabeth, the childless queen: bawdy, brilliant, tactical and cynical. In the other, Mary: feminine, charming, romantic and reckless.

Their decades’ long verbal boxing match over the English crown would end with Mary’s beheading at Fotheringhay Castle—with Elizabeth’s blessing—in 1587, the synopsis states.

Other VHS directors were Jeff Davis and Jon Alonso. Alternates were Mia Singh, Cameron Smoot, Sophie Foerst, and Divya Parameshwar.