MANCHESTER, NH – The Founders Academy Public Charter School’s Theater Department participated in the 2026 NHETG Regional Theatre Festival, hosted by the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Bedford High School. Founders competed against five other local schools at the competition and were one of three schools selected to move on to the state festival in Gilford, NH on April 10th and 11th. Also moving on from that competition are Kingswood and Salem.
The Founders Theatre Department performed A Room in the Castle by Lauren Gunderson, which is based on the story of Ophelia. The cast and crew were awarded one of three Best Production Awards by the New Hampshire Educational Theatre Guild. Additionally, two Founders students were awarded with the following All-Star Awards: Lizzie Goldman, Excellence in Costume Design, and Victoria Stantial, Excellence in Acting. “In its entirety, this piece was very well prepared and performed. The storytelling was cohesive, and the choices made by the actors and the creative team were well-thought and well-presented,” said Professor Fran Page of Plymouth State College, an adjudicator at the event.
“The cast and crew faced many challenges, both expected and unexpected, with determination and creativity. We performed first at the competition, and Founders students handled it with confidence and determination,” said The Founders Academy’s Theatre Director, Kate Mote.
“I am very proud of the cast and crew of A Room in the Castle. All of the students worked tirelessly from research, to rehearsal, to performance. Well-deserved recognition!” said Cassie Hayes, Dean of School.
The following schools are participating in the NH Educational Theatre Guild State Festival April 10-11 in Gilford:
- Coe-Brown: Weyward
- Gilford: All the Ways The World Will End, But Not You
- Portsmouth Christian: Back Cover
- Merrimack Valley: Time
- Kearsarge Regional: Our Place
- Plymouth Regional: Red Carpet Heist
- Founders Academy: A Room in the Castle
- Kingswood Regional: The Last Firefly
- Salem: Lost Girl
About The Founders Academy
The Founders Academy is a public charter school for students in grades 5 through 12 that is free and open to all New Hampshire students. The Academy develops leaders who understand and apply the lessons of the past, demonstrate exceptional character and lead by example. The Academy recognizes the importance of balance in the development of the whole person, and respects each student’s journey.
Principled leadership is fostered by means of a curriculum of classical studies that includes analyzing the lives of great men and women of history, mining the rich classical ideals of the Western tradition, and tracing the evolution of the precious and costly idea of liberty.
The Founders Academy is accepting applications for the 2026-2027 school year. To learn more about The Founders Academy or to apply for admission, visit www.thefoundersacademy.org.