SENIORS
TO THE SENIORS...
Class of 2024
Edward Boackle
Edward Boackle has been a member of CTA since his freshman year. Edward has been a part of 8 shows in his time at CTA. Some of his most memorable roles were Mr. Net in The Very Grey Matter of Edward Blank, Le Fou in Beauty and the Beast, Billy Cane in Bright Star, the baker in Into the Woods, and Harry Bright in Mamma Mia. Edward has had many enjoyable experiences with CTA such as performing at SETC with the award winning show Dark Road, winning best in state his sophomore year at Trumbauer, and receiving 61 callbacks from colleges at the undergraduate auditions at SETC.
Edward also participated in CTA’s Thespian Troupe #6639 serving as the historian his sophomore year and the vice president his junior and senior year.
Corner Theatre Academy has given Edward a place over the past 4 years where he could grow not just as a dancer, a singer, and an actor, but also a person. Edward plans to pursue musical theatre at the college level and to receive a BFA in musical theatre. After college Edward hopes to accomplish his life long dream of being on a Broadway stage.
Edward is thankful for Megan Garner, Debra Reeser, Matthew Piper, Emily Allred and everyone that has helped him along the way. Edward’s time at CTA will never be forgotten. All of the rehearsal, all the music, all of the notes, all of the post show dinners at Sonic, and everything in between. CTA wasn’t just a theatre department to Edward, it was a family. Though Edward is saddened by the fact his time at CTA is ending, he knows that the Corner Theatre Academy will always have a special place in his heart and mind.
Nolan Mann
Nolan Mann has been a part of CTA for six years, and has been involved in shows such as Grease, Tuck Everlasting, Beauty and the Beast, Bright Star, Dark Road, Mamma Mia, Wizard of Oz, and more. One of his most beloved roles is Cogsworth. He is most proud of his involvement in the SETC award-winning show Dark Road. He was fortunate enough to play one of the leads in that show and is incredibly thankful for the experience. He is forever grateful for the family he has built here in CTA.
Nolan plans to attend Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. He plans to major in Psychology and minor in Biblical and Theological studies with the goal of serving in ministry. Although he is graduating, he will always remember the saying “Once a CTA kiddo, always a CTA kiddo.”
“Thank you, CTA, for the laughter, the tears, the hugs, the road trips, late night meals, and sharing your life with me. I want to specifically thank Mrs. Garner and Mrs. Reeser for all they have done for me, and all the advice they have shared. I wouldn’t be the man I am today without the two of you. And a special shout out to my big brother, Nate, for letting me tag along to rehearsals. Huge thanks to my mom and dad for their constant love and support. But ultimately, none of this would be possible without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He be magnified through it all," Philippians 1:20.
⁃Nolan Mann
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Mai Martin
Mai has been a member of CTA since the end of freshman year being in run crew for Bright Star before moving into acting her sophomore year. Since then, she has participated in some capacity with all the shows, from acting to tech. She is proudest of her work in Dark Road.
After high school, she plans on attending the University of Alabama Birmingham to be a Registered Dietitian.
“I am so very grateful for my time in CTA and the opportunities it has given me. Never would I have thought I would do some of the things I’ve done, or had the wonderful friendships and experiences. So now I say from the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who encouraged me, pushed me to work hard and better myself; how wonderful it is to have been part of this family. CTA, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Garrett Mathews
Garrett Evan Mathews has been a part of CTA since junior year. Taking part as the Tin man in The Wizard of Oz, assistant stage manager in Finding Nemo, and an assistant stage manager in Bystander 911. While having not been in CTA long, he plans on taking part in their future productions while in school and helping with whatever he can.
He is incredibly thankful for the opportunity to join such a loving community. Garrett plans to go to school for an education degree and to see places that he finds interest in like: Grease. He would like to thank Mrs. Garner and Mrs. Reeser for the chance they gave him by giving him the privilege to perform in their theater alongside his new friends that he founded through his astounding time in the Corner Theater Academy.
Opal McBrayer
Opal joined CTA halfway through her Junior year. She has been sound design for Wizard of Oz, Finding Nemo, Jr, and Bystander 9/11. She hopes to study music in college. Opal’s favorite part about CTA is the satisfaction you get when a play is finally coming together and you can really see all of the hard work that everyone has put into it. She is glad that she was finally convinced to join CTA for Wizard of Oz because theater is an experience unlike any other. She is very thankful to Megan Garner, Debra Reeser, and everyone else in CTA for giving her the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful community.
Rae McGee
I have been a part of CTA since my Sophomore year, participating in two shows working in technical theatre, and one as an actor. I started out operating spotlight for Into the Woods, then moved on to be an assistant stage manager for Mamma Mia, until acting for the first time on stage as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz.
I am most thankful for my friends in CTA who supported and encouraged me to audition and to Mrs. Garner and Mrs. Hunt for helping me to discover this new passion.
After high school, I plan to major in Instrumental Music Education and minor in Musical Theatre.
Clara Parker
Clara Parker has been a part of CTA since her Freshman year, and a member of Thespian Troupe 6639 since the end of her Sophomore. She served as fundraising advisor of the troupe her Junior year and is now acting secretary. She has loved participating in theatre- building friendships, making memories, performing shows. Clara has stage managed and designed lighting for a multitude of shows, and every one has been a joy to create.
After high school, Clara plans to major in psychology. She is grateful for the time she has been involved with CTA, and the family she has found within.
Luke Seeley
Luke has been a part of CTA for three years and has participated in three shows. He is thankful for all the friends and for all the good memories made. After high school, he plans to attend an undecided university to pursue a degree and finance.
Alyssa Raye Sides
Alyssa Raye has been involved with Corner Theatre Academy for eight years. Her first show was Annie in 2016. Throughout her time here, she has done over 15 shows including acting, makeup, dancing, stage management and provided help building the set pieces in many shows. Alyssa Raye’s proudest moment is receiving an award for most outstanding special effects makeup in the southeast at SETC after 6 months of doing a straight show. She has grown through many trials and battles here considering the fact that she was 9 when she started her journey at CTA. Her favorite shows while at CTA are Mary Poppins and Bright Star. In Mary Poppins, she was cast as Jane Banks and in Bright Star, she was a spirit.
As her time slows down here, she looks back at all her accomplishments and remembers her hard work. Alyssa Raye plans to attend Wallace State for two years, getting her associate's in the Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Then, she will attend a four-year university to get her bachelor's or master's degree with a minor in business. As of right now, she is looking into Mississippi College or Samford University to continue her education at a four-year university. She wishes the best to those who continue in theatre and just because she is going to college doesn’t change the fact she’s still a text or call away.
To those who have watched me grow up constantly during my time doing theatre since 2016, thank you for the memories and all the laughter. She also apologizes for her sassiness and attitude changes. LOL!
With so much love,
Alyssa Raye
Grace Smith
Grace has been a member of CTA for going on two years now. Though her time has been short, she has been a part of shows such as The Wizard of Oz, Finding Nemo Jr., Bystander 9/11, and helped out with our elementary shows as well. She also became a member of the Thespian Society and was elected Fundraising Advisor. After high school, she plans to attend Jacksonville State University with a major in the Marine Biology Program to later work on saving sharks, penguins, and the Arctic.
