RIVERSIDE — With a production about the daring female pilots who fought against Nazis in World War II, the St. Mary Academy – Bay View Players were crowned champions at the 2024 Rhode Island Drama Festival this weekend. In addition to winning the top prize, eight Bay View students received “All Star” awards for excellence in performance and set design.
“We are so incredibly happy for these young women,” said Amy Gravell, St. Mary Academy–Bay View president. “They worked so hard to tell the story of this relatively unknown group of pilots. I’m extremely proud of what they accomplished and cannot wait to see them on the stage at the New England Drama Fest!”
Led by the school’s chair of performing arts, Nancy Anastadis Peters, Bay View’s production of “The Night Witches” uses movement, song, and lyrically styled dialogue to take audiences on a journey – following a group of brave female WWII pilots through one fateful evening during the war.
“From the stagehands to the actors, all the girls put in a lot of time and research to be able to portray these pilots and tell this story. They are an incredible group. I’m thrilled they made it to the next stage of this competition,” Peters said. “I am confident that these talented young women will bring the same passion and pride [to regionals]. So, we can share this story and meet other students that are as passionate as we are about performing arts.”
