By Jeanni Ritchie
Every fall, Northwestern State University’s Theatre and Dance Department introduces its “New Faces” showcase — and this year, I found myself in the audience with my friends Tawney and Carlina as the unofficial judging panel.
The evening featured more than 60 performers — singers, dancers, and actors giving it their all. Choosing standouts wasn’t easy, but we had fun with it. Drumroll, please… our awards go to:
Pop Star Sass Award — Michael Mumphrey strutted onto the stage with “Material Girl” and owned every note.
Sultry Soul Award — Camin Cooper poured her heart into “They Just Keep Moving the Line,” her voice rich and commanding.
Rat Pack Swagger Award — Otto Straus crooned “My Way” with a confidence and polish that would make Sinatra smile.
Disney Princess Award — Scarlett Duke charmed with her rendition of “Part of Your World,” her clear voice pure Disney magic.
Camp Kings Award — Riley Corden, Tristan Olivier, and Matthew Pickrell had the audience roaring with their over-the-top “Candy Store.”
Pink Lady Award — Ashlyn Underwood’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was so mindful and demure, we could almost hear Rizzo saying she was too pure to be pink. We happily overruled.
Impressions Award — Carter Ball turned a Julius Caesar monologue into comedy gold with a parade of spot-on impersonations, from Kermit the Frog to Stitch and beyond.
Broadway Bound Award — Ayden Hymel brought powerhouse vocals and stage presence to “I’m Your Man,” the kind of performance that makes you believe a talent scout could snatch her away before graduation.
Mic Drop Award — Kaitlyn Miller delivered the evening’s most unforgettable line in her monologue: “I didn’t ruin you. I revealed you.” The audience went silent, then erupted.
And because no showcase is complete without a few “Most Likely To…” superlatives, we give you:
Most Likely To Channel a Jazz Legend — Addie Whittle (singing Etta James’ At Last)
Most Likely To Stop the Room Cold — Trinity Patrick (dancing to Billie Holiday’s Strange Fruit)
Most Likely To Make Shakespeare Proud — Syrus Schafer (delivering a Titus Andronicus monologue)
Most Likely To Take Us Straight to Church — Judah Castille (singing Joyful, Joyful from Sister Act 2)
Most Likely To Crack Us Up — Macie Purvis (singing Screw Loose from Cry Baby)
Most Likely To Bring Back the ’80s — Fisher Cooley (performing Johnny B. Goode)
Most Likely To Make You Believe You Could Fly — Jay Batiste (dancing to High Hopes)
Most Likely To Be on the Billboard Charts — Hannah Miller (performing her original song One Minute)
Most Likely To Dance Straight Into Your Heart — Lauryn Vernon (dancing to Sienna Spiro’s Need Me)
Most Likely To Steal the Spotlight With a Saxophone — Lacy Hunter (performing Careless Whisper)
Most Likely To Win Over the Whole Peanuts Gang — I’yonna Berryman (singing My New Philosophy from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown)
One of the standout joys of the showcase wasn’t just the talent on stage, but the contagious support from the student audience. They cheered loudly for everyone, making sure each performer felt celebrated and encouraged.
Watching this year’s New Faces perform reminded us that NSU’s Theater and Dance department is in for an incredible season. With this level of talent arriving on campus, the upcoming productions are sure to impress — and we can’t wait to see them all come to life!
Jeanni Ritchie is a theatre-loving freelance writer from Central Louisiana, whose favorite way to deal with her kids’ grocery store tantrums in the 90’s was to loudly sing Lorrie Morgan’s What Part of No.
