Submitted photo The Crown Theater cast and crew gather together in Disney World before performing at the National Performing Arts Festival 2020. Pictured (front left) Debbie Salmen, Trisha Wilson, Kim Duffy, Lindsey Duffy, Erin Rossi, Seth Rossi, Tina Swarm, Ava Whaley, Sarah Rambo, Codi Sherrill, Lila Meta Gabby Levine, Nicole Meta, (back left) Erich Offenburg, Steve Salmen, Dawn Arthurs, Donald Arthurs, David Hunsbarger, Dillon Hunsbarger, Carla Clapsadle, Caleb Clapsadle, Jerry Sherrill, Angela Levine and Heather Whaley.

COLUMBIANA– Crown Theater Productions traveled to Disney World to take on a theatrical experience hosted by Bright Spark Travel in the National Performing Arts Festival 2020. Being the first special needs group to ever participate in the competition, Crown Theater received an overall rating of Superior and were one of two competitors to receive the Judge’s Choice Award.

“When we were deciding to go on the trip, we thought it was a good opportunity for a lot of the kids who had never even been out of the county,” Crown Theater Productions executive director Debbie Salmen said.

When Salmen inquired about the trip, she found out that Crown Theater was going to be the first special needs group to ever be in the festival. Although they were told they wouldn’t be judged on a curve, Salmen said they understood and couldn’t jump faster at the opportunity.

Caleb Clapsadle, Seth Rossi, Cody Sherrill, Ava Whaley and Lila Meta received special recognition awards, and actor and judge Ben Ptashinsky said Crown Theater was the only group to receive a standing ovation and a perfect score in his 10 years of judging.

After the performance, the judge visited Crown Theater in a separate room to critique the group, but he didn’t have much to critique.

“What I tell most students is that they are lacking honesty and truth, and they put on performances with overexaggerated characters,” Ptashinsky said. “What this group achieved is your personalities shining through one another. I felt the heart and energy behind your story.”

Director Erich Offenburg created the play for the cast, which had an appropriate underdog theme. Since July, the group was raising money for the trip and began practicing for the festival about three months ago. Ptashinsky said he was impressed by the execution of the choreography and singing from the kids.

“It was so surprising to me that the kids were not nervous at all,” Salmen said. “I think these kids are going to remember this for the rest of their lives. I know I’ll remember it for the rest of mine.”

According to Salmen, the group will be hoping to go back to compete in the festival next year.

slendak@mojonews.com