Three Hart School District high schools participated in the annual Drama Teachers Association of Southern California (DTASC) Fall Festival at Calabasas High School last month and all three, Valencia High School, Golden Valley High School and Canyon High School, brought home awards.

The stage was big, both literally and figuratively. This competition is the largest of its kind and plays host to some 80 different schools and 2,000 students, all of whom had the chance to perform under the bright lights of Calabasas High School’s new 700-seat theatre.

Students from Valencia High School’s theatre arts program dominated the competition by placing first in two major categories. Led by senior Mark Gofman playing the role of Tevya, students preformed songs and scenes from “A Fiddler on the Roof” and placed first in the Musical category.

Valencia High School theatre arts also placed first in the Large Group Drama category by preforming scenes from Arthur Miller’s “A View from the Bridge.” Juniors Matthew Voltz and Melissa Manning led the first place cast. Additionally, Valencia High School placed in the top five in the All Female Scene category.

“Taking first place at DTASC is the equivalent of winning CIF in sports in the Southern California area,” Stephen Whalen, theatre director and instructor, said, “The competition is incredibly fierce and theatre kids from all over take this festival very seriously.”

Golden Valley High School and Canyon High School also attended the competition and brought awards home. Golden Valley High School placed in the top 10 for Large Group Comedy and Canyon High School received a top five award in the Radio Retro category.

Valencia High School will get the honor of performing their rendition of “A Fiddler on the Roof” at the awards ceremony, Salute to the Winners, at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro in mid-November.

“This is our tenth year participating and this is only our second time winning first place in two categories,” Whalen said, “We’re very excited.”