By Katie Pedone
For the News-Gazette

Inspired by their new director, Janie “Nina” Cochran, St. Cloud High’s Drama Club Troupe 1826 excelled at the 2012 District One Act Thespian competition at Brevard County recently and walked away with one of the five spots at the state competition.

It is an accomplishment these students had never felt until now.

The students said there were doubts when Cochran, with the help of her husband, Randy Cochran, took over.

“It was an experience. With losing our old director there was definitely some skepticism,” St. Cloud junior Lane Peck said.

Cochran, who came from Horizon Middle School, said the students made the transition easy for her.

“The kids were so great. They jumped on board with whole-hearted enthusiasm,” she said.

Fortunately, Cochran had some tricks up her sleeve for her new students. She is a veteran of many stage productions in New York and Colorado. Her husband was her technical director for many of those productions. The couple moved to Central Florida when Randy Cochran got a position as a technical director at Disney World.

“We were way more successful than any of us expected and Mrs. Cochran has brought a storm of talent and experience with her. I feel like we always had that something to get us to states. The Cochrans pulled us that extra step,” Peck said. “With how well we have done with them I don’t think we can be stopped now.”

The troupe performed a 40-minute musical version of the classic fairy tale “Alice in Wonderland.”

Cochran said she developed “Alice in Wonderland” with some friends when she lived in New York. She decided to condense the original production to a one act to possibly take to a fringe festival and thought it would be a perfect vehicle for St. Cloud’s one act performance. The music was written by her good friends Rob Schiffmann and John Rothstein.

“The students are the set,” she said. “It works wonderfully.”

Senior Erica Dukes, who embodied the role of the Queen of Hearts, explained her experience.

“At first, working with a new teacher was different, but the things Mrs. Cochran has taught us and has done with us are mind blowing. She comes up with ideas that no one would think of and they turn out amazing.” Dukes said. “My role in Alice was my first lead role and I loved it. Going into the contest our cast felt like we could definitely make it to state, and when we did it, it was an amazing moment for our troupe and Mrs. Cochran to bond as one.”

It’s been about five years since St. Cloud High School sent a one act to the state level.

“It feels amazing,” junior Jessie Suarez said. “Every single person on the cast and crew of Alice put their heart and soul into the show to bring the Cochrans’ vision to life. I’m still in shock and so excited for state.”

The impact of the Cochrans runs deeper for the St. Cloud students than just a spot in the state competition, though.

Senior Tiffany Baker, stage manager for Alice, said, “Working with Mr. and Mrs. Cochran has been the experience of a life time. They have really re-shaped us through their own teachings into a well-oiled machine. Our troupe is closer than ever; we’re a family. They both have been incredible teachers and mentors and I have faith they will continue to be. We all thank them for what they have done.”

As for Cochran herself, she’s just glad to be a part of the local arts community.

“There are so many amazingly talented kids in this entire county. They are in every high school in all the nooks and crannies,” she said, “I love it.”

Gateway and Liberty also secured a spot for their one act plays at the state competition. The schools are set to compete in Tampa in mid-April.

Cochran said her troupe would engage in a series of fundraisers to defray expenses for the trip to state, which may cost several hundred dollars per student.

For those wishing to help the students defray their expenses, Cochran may be contacted at St. Cloud High, 407-891-3100.

For those interested in helping Gateway’s drama troupe, the phone number of the high school is 407-935-3600. To help Liberty drama students, call 407-933-3910.