Senate Concurrent Resolution 564

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS OF THE OAK GROVE HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE DEPARTMENT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF SUZANNE ALLMON.

WHEREAS, the Oak Grove High School Theatre Department has been under the direction of Suzanne Allmon since 1996. During that time, the Oak Grove High School Theatre has become one of the strongest theatre departments in Mississippi and well-known throughout the Southeast and internationally at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland; and

WHEREAS, the Oak Grove Theatre Department began in 1986 under the direction of Hoagan Bramlett. In 1995, Suzanne Allmon student-taught with Hoagan. She co-directed with her in 1996 and Suzanne became the only Director in 1997. Since 1996, Oak Grove High School has received 19 superior ratings. Suzanne has been recognized for Outstanding Direction seven times. Oak Grove has received Technical Achievement five times. They have also received Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design and Best Supporting Actress numerous times. They have had over 85 students receive All-Star Cast over the years; and

WHEREAS, at the Mississippi Theatre Association State Festival this program has received the following in addition to State Championships: three Runner-Up Awards, five Best Actor Awards, six Best Director Awards, three Best Actress Awards, six Best Supporting Actor Awards, five Best Supporting Actress Awards, four Best Scenic Design Awards, and eleven Best Costume Design Awards, four Overall Technical Awards and numerous All-Star Casts and Best Ensemble which they have received three times; and

WHEREAS, Oak Grove has won eight State Championships under the direction of Suzanne Allmon. "Midsummer Night's Dream" in 1997, "Subway Circus" in 2000, "Crow and Weasel" in 2005, "The Crane Wife" in 2007, "Tales of Trickery" in 2008, "Jungalbook" in 2012, "In A Grove: Three Japanese Ghost Stories" in 2013 and "Zhengtu" this year. "Zhengtu" is an original adaptation of "The Journey to the West" written by Suzanne Allmon; her husband, Ben Allmon; and a student, Evan Woods. This is the first original piece the Oak Grove High School Theatre has ever presented in competition; and

WHEREAS, with the State Championship Title comes the privilege to represent Mississippi at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, which is referred to as "Nationals." In 2014, Oak Grove was chosen as Runner-Up Best Production with the production of "Arabian Nights," which qualified them to represent Mississippi at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) as well; and

WHEREAS, Oak Grove is the only school in Mississippi to have represented the state nine times at SETC, and the only school that has represented Mississippi four times in a row at SETC. The program had l6 students receive All-Star Cast, three Judges Choice Awards, one Best Director, and one Best Actor at SETC. "The Crane Wife" won Runner-Up Best Production in 2007 out of the entire Southeast. "Tales of Trickery" won Best Production in 2008 out of the entire Southeast. Oak Grove is one of four schools from Mississippi that has won SETC since its inception in 1949; and

WHEREAS, Oak Grove Theatre has been chosen to represent Mississippi at the largest Theatre Festival in the world, the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland numerous times. Oak Grove High Theatre is one of the only high schools from the United States to sell out all their shows in Edinburgh; and

WHEREAS, Oak Grove High School Theatre competes in other competitions throughout the year, like the State Theatre for Youth Festival. Oak Grove has won the State Championship for the Theatre for Youth Festival in 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2015, which is more than any other school; and

WHEREAS, Suzanne Allmon has worked very hard to create a very creative learning environment that welcomes all types of students and encourages them to reach their fullest potential in all parts of Theatre; and it is with great pride that we pay tribute to an elite Mississippi high school fine arts program which has brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby recognize and commend the achievements and awards of the Oak Grove High School Theatre Department under the direction of Suzanne Allmon, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to these students, directors, production crew and their parents for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Suzanne Allmon for Oak Grove High School Theatre and the Principal of Oak Grove High School, forwarded to the Lamar County Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.