Every year, the Canyon Ridge theater department participates in competitions directed by the Idaho High School Activities Association, the company that helps put on drama competitions, so that all theater departments across the state can showcase their hard work.
State drama competitions are held in different schools each year after districts are held, with the coaches choosing which schools will hold drama competitions that year.
“They are rotated based on the districts–like Magic Valley district, district four, all the schools in the district get together and choose which one will host drama competition,” said Julie Hammons, the IHSAA assistant director. “The coaches from each school sit down and choose the rules while enforcing them.”
Seve Isaacs, the theater department teacher, and coach for the drama competition has eleven seniors participating this year, and he’s excited about the drama competition. “There are some things that will be easier. I don’t have to set up travel and everything that comes with it.”
The main benefit of hosting the drama competition is that it will save CRHS money and showcase the theater facilities to all Mr. Issacs’ colleagues across Idaho and other students in a competition who do not attend CRHS.
Previous participation in drama competitions has been tracked; the state drama competitions have had over 600+ participants in recent years 2021-2023. “Participation in competition in my program has dipped in recent years, since the pandemic, really,” said Mr. Isaacs, the CRHS theater teacher. “And I have tried to adjust/modify my approach to competition to try and augment that.”
