CLHS Theater Students Advance to State with Performance of ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’

April 25, 2023

student performers — These 24 Canyon Lake High School students will advance to state May 4 with a production of the one-act play "The Cripple of Inishmann." Image courtesy of Comal ISD.

These 24 Canyon Lake High School students will advance to state May 4 with a production of the one-act play "The Cripple of Inishmann." Image courtesy of Comal ISD.

Canyon Lake High School (CLHS) theater students made it to state and will perform a one-act play at State 4A UIL competition 7 p.m. May 4 at the Raymond E. Hartfield Performing Arts Center, Round Rock ISD, Austin.

CLHS is the only Comal ISD school to advance to state. In 2022, CLHS made district history as the first school to ever advance to state with a one-act play.

Students will perform “The Cripple of Inishmaan,” by Martin McDonagh.

The CLHS production is under the direction of Benjamin Matthews and Jamie Kennedy with a 24-member company that includes Isis Almanza, Star Beare, Ryleigh Borg, Kylie Bottorff, Cayla Davidson, Julianna Fernandez, Lily Gray, Roman Hernandez, Maddox Kennedy, Micah Lee, Diane Leija, Jana Lister, Jordyn Martin, Becker Russell, Danielle Schlomach, Savannah Slegers, Ellie Smith, Seth Taylor, Nathan Theobald, Jason Torres, Emily Ward, Evelyn Van Houten, Bo Williamson and Dylan Wistrand.

Set in 1934, the play centers around an unloved, crippled boy who spends his days gazing at cows and pining for a girl who doesn’t notice him. Everything changes when a Hollywood director heads to a neighboring island to film a documentary.