FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LAGUNA BEACH UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
CONTACT: ANAKAREN CÁRDENAS UREÑO
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & ENGAGEMENT
(949) 497-7700 EXT. 5232 | AURENO@LBUSD.ORG

March 27, 2026

Laguna Beach High School Theatre students earn top honors at California State Thespian Festival

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. – Students from Laguna Beach High School’s theatre program earned multiple top placements and statewide recognition at the California State Thespian Festival, one of the largest gatherings of high school theatre students in the state.

The annual three-day festival, held at Pomona College, brings together more than 1,000 students from across California to compete in performance and technical theatre events, participate in workshops led by industry professionals, and audition for scholarships. Students compete in “Thespy” events, adjudicated categories that include acting, dance, musical theatre, and technical design, where participants are evaluated by theatre professionals and ranked against peers statewide.

“Our students dedicated considerable time in between the run of our musical to perfect their competition pieces for state this year, I am so proud of all their hard work,” said LBHS Theatre Director Meghan Minguez-Marshall. “CSTF gives us not only the opportunity to compete, but to learn from industry professionals and connect with other high school theatre departments across the state," she concluded. 

Laguna Beach High School students earned three top-three finishes, an uncommon achievement for a single school at the statewide level. Among the honorees:

• 2nd Place, Technical Costume Construction: Lyra Ramazan
• 2nd Place, Contrasting Monologues: Sam O’Neill
• 3rd Place, Duet Scenes: Taylor Peterson and Lila Tacklind

In addition to the competitive awards, two student performances were selected for featured mainstage showcases, a distinction reserved for standout performances as determined by festival judges. 

• Judges’ Choice Duet Scene (Mainstage Selection): Amelie Ford and Arianna Cunningham
• Judges’ Choice Duet Musical Theatre, Festival Finale: Taylor Peterson and Luke Donaldson

Selections for mainstage performances are considered among the highest honors at the festival, highlighting exemplary work from across hundreds of student entries.

“We are incredibly proud of our Laguna Beach High School theatre students for representing our school and district with such talent, dedication, and professionalism at the state level. To earn multiple top-three finishes and mainstage recognitions at an event of this caliber speaks not only to their artistic excellence but also to their commitment, collaboration, and willingness to take creative risks,” said LBHS Principal Jason Allemann, Ed.D. “This achievement reflects the strength of our performing arts program and the guidance of our outstanding staff. Most importantly, it highlights what is possible when students are supported in pursuing their passions and given opportunities to shine beyond the classroom,” he concluded. 

The California State Thespian Festival is part of the International Thespian Society, an honor organization that supports theatre education nationwide and provides pathways for students to advance to national-level competition.

Community members are encouraged to support Laguna Beach High School Theatre throughout the year by attending its annual productions, including fall, winter, and spring performances that showcase student talent on and off stage. Performance dates and ticket information will be shared in advance through the district’s community newsletter, It’s a Wrap. To stay informed, subscribe at www.lbusd.org/itsawrap or follow @lagunabeachusd and @lbusdtheatre on Instagram.

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