Anticipation ran high as drama teams rehearsed lines one last time, completed breathing and vocal exercises, prayed and waited to compete on stage during the Virginia High School League Southeastern District Theater Festival on Saturday.

Ten teams competed for the top two slots, an honor that would earn them the right to go on to the regional competition. All of the teams were nervous, but everyone was confident that their team would win.

“I do think we have an extremely good chance to win,” said Chris Hampton, a drama student at King’s Fork High School. “Most of the performances have been comedies, but we have romance, tragedy, and heart break. Our star role, Caila, makes it through it all.”

Lakeland High School performed “He Said, She Said” during the festival. Nansemond River High School performed “Shakespeare for Schmucks,” also known as “Shakespeare Abridged.” King’s Fork High School performed “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.”

The Suffolk schools competed against each other and other high schools from the Southeastern District — Deep Creek, Hickory, Grassfield, Indian River, Great Bridge, Western Branch and Oscar Smith. Two of the Suffolk schools placed in the top five.

Nansemond River placed second. They will be going on to the regional competition. Lakeland High School placed fifth, achieving their goal of reaching the top five.

“This is our second year competing now in the one-act play competition,” said Sara Sims, Lakeland High School drama teacher. “It is our third year with a drama program. We were competing against other schools that have been there before. We went into it with an attitude of having fun and meeting people, and that’s what we did.”

King’s Fork High School tied with Indian River High School for seventh place.

Molly Blake from Lakeland High School and Ashley Key from Nansemond River High School earned Outstanding Actor awards.

Drama competitions are very different from athletic competitions, according to Randy Jessee, activities director at King’s Fork High School.

“It’s a great refresher,” he said. “For these kids, it’s not so much about competition as camaraderie.”

Jessee explained that at drama competitions, students from different schools are more apt to spend time together and enjoy each other’s company than they would be at an athletic competition.

“It’s not as competitive as athletics,” Jessee said, explaining that he has seen drama students from different schools get together to play drama games during this event. “It’s really refreshing to see.”

Jessee expressed his pride and admiration for all of the student actors.

“You can see how much time they put into it.”

Others also raved about the outcome of the event.

“I think it was wonderful,” said Jennifer Lynn, costume designer and Nansemond River High School teacher volunteer who assisted with the show. “They did everything we talked to them about in practice. It was very good. I’m proud of them.”

“I think it was one of the best shows we’ve ever done,” said Kalea Leverette, a Nansemond River drama student.

For students like Christian Ellis from Nansemond River, this is just the beginning. Ellis is new to the high school acting program, but he has high expectations.

“I’ve always liked movies,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to be one of the people in the movies. Most actors start off on Broadway or in the theater. This is where I started off.”