After a whirlwind weekend of “Radium Girls” performances just two weeks ago, the cast and crew of 65 students in Nancy Vitulli’s Cranston High School West drama program hosted the 86th Rhode Island State Drama Festival this past weekend, performed in the competition, and walked away with a top spot.

Vitulli directed the West performance, and faculty member Dr. Joel Gluck was the assistant director.

“Two schools are selected to represent Rhode Island in the New England Drama Festival that will take place in April,” Vitulli said. “It is an honor to be selected, as the productions are adjudicated by three theater professionals and the best work is chosen to advance to the regional festival. The work is evaluated based on acting, directing, and production elements such as set, lighting, sound, props, costume, and hair and makeup design.”

According to Principal Tom Barbieri’s Monday morning Principal Update, many students were cited for their work on the show, including Katrina Rossi, who was recognized for her portrayal of Grace Fryer. Special merit awards were given out, including theatrical design honors for students Michael Hayes and Jeffrey Marchetti, a lighting design award for Michael Pellegrino, costume design honors for Savanna Cox, Sarah Gallo, Sarah Lemay and Adriana Saccoccio, and a hair and makeup design award for Josephine Heng.

Cranston West was one of 11 schools from throughout the state that presented one-act plays, according to Vitulli. The participating schools were Cranston High School East, Cranston West, Saint Raphael’s Academy, South Kingstown High School, Westerly High School, Scituate High School, Barrington High School, Cumberland High School, Bishop Hendricken, Rocky Hill and Mount Hope High School.

Barbieri was very proud of the efforts from many in the West community.

“I am very proud of the work of the CHSW Theatre Program. Parents, students, teachers and the brilliant Mrs.Vitulli have made this a hallmark program at our school! It’s an example of true community collaboration creating great educational experiences for our students,” he said.

The New England Drama Festival will be held at Camden Hills Regional High School in Rockport, Maine, on April 23-25.