The BHHS theatre department participated in the Michigan Interscholastic Forensics Association’s (MIFA) one act play competition for the first time this year. Select students in the Acting 3 class were given the opportunity to choose a play that they would cut down to fit MIFA’s 45 minute time limit, pick a cast from the other students in the class, direct, costume, and film for submission to this year’s entirely virtual competition. 

   Seniors Toby Gittleman and Anna Partalis led this process for the two BHHS submissions. 

   “As a director, I had to make the show entertaining for viewers even through Zoom,” explained Partalis. “It was super different, but I tried to create the most ‘theatre-like’ experience for the judges I could.”

   After winning multiple individual and ensemble awards at Regionals, both of Bloomfield’s one acts were chosen to advance to States. On Saturday, February 13, both shows were adjudicated by a panel of theatre professionals at the State level competition. 

   This Is Our Youth, the serious submission directed by Gittleman, placed fourth out of six schools. The cast won an award for Superior Ensemble Acting, Gittleman for Superior Directing, and the entire team was awarded MIFA’s Innovation in Theatre award, along with others.

   “It was really challenging to get to the final recording and submission, but we did it and I couldn’t have been happier with how it all turned out,” shared Ella Sidder, a senior who acted in This Is Our Youth.

   The Fox On The Fairway, Bloomfield’s humorous submission directed by Partalis, placed third out of six schools competing at States. This team won numerous awards, including Excellent Ensemble Acting for the entire cast, two Superior Acting awards for senior Cole Bewick and junior Jaden Cohen, and Superior Costumes and Superior Program for Partalis. 

   “I’m really happy to have participated in this new avenue for our program,” said Bewick. “I think our cast grew in both our acting skills and our patience for one another, and I think we all learned a lot.”

   Both one acts will be available for streaming online later in the year. Updates and more information on the BHHS theatre program are posted on the official Instagram: @bhhsthespian.