CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman High School Theatre was recently invited to the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Maryland, and the International Thespians Festival in Indiana. Invitations to both were earned with Best in Show performances state festivals over the past several months.
The department competed in the Walter Trumbauer State Festival in December and the 2025 Alabama Thespian Festival in February, winning Best in Show at each under the direction of Wayne Cook and Sarah Jane Skinner.
The Walter Trumbauer Festival, named after a theater professor at Montevallo University, is one of the most important weekends for CHS Theatre. Twelve schools across the state are selected to perform in the One Act Festival, and Cullman High School has had the privilege of participating for nine out of the last 10 years. The department has won Best in Show three times at the state level. Its performance of “The Old Man and the Moon” won the award, earning the group a special invitation to represent Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.
The department’s performance of “Charlotte’s Web” won Best in Show at this year’s Alabama Thespian Festival in February. Along with the award came an invitation to represent the state of Alabama and perform at the International Thespians Festival in Bloomington, Indiana, June 22-27.
“The Old Man and the Moon,” a play based on a fable about the moon’s waxing and waning, was brought to life in a unique way by the department. The show included shadow puppetry, live music, unique lighting and unconventional sets, adding a creative flair. The tale of “Charlotte’s Web,” selected to be performed as an Alabama Thespian Chapter Select Show, was also chosen to share with the community’s children. Life-size puppets were used to bring the story to life, and the show was performed for the students of East and West Elementary Schools, Cullman Primary School and Head Start.
During the competitions, the department received several other recognitions, such as Best Lighting and Sound Design at Trumbauer. Many students were also recognized individually for their skills and performances. Slade Turbyfield won Best Actor, and Bailee Henderson, Cadan Fales and Jameson Inscho all won All-Star Cast at Trumbauer. Henderson won Best Performer at the Alabama Thespian Festival, Lily Abbott and Isaac Heinze won Best Supporting Performers, Inscho was named All-Star Cast and the entire department won Best Ensemble.
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