The 2024 One Act play put on by Rock Hill Theatre, Cover of Life, has advanced the furthest it has in Rock Hill history. 

This year’s play has senior Katie Mata, playing Tood, and junior Audra Rogers, playing Sybil. After months of preparing and rehearsing Mata and Rogers have so far competed four times. 

“This show is the perfect example of just how hard it is to be women; especially in America. It shows how incredible women can be and how important it is for us to support one another.” Rogers said.

Many students in Rock Hill Theatre have also won awards, but the two students who won at each level are specifically Rogers and Mata.

Mata has been awarded

Zone: Honorable Mention

District: Honorable Mention

Bi-District: All Star Cast

Area: Honorable Mention

Rogers has been awarded 

Zone: Best Performer 

District: Best Performer

Bi-District: All-Star Cast

Area: All-Star Cast

It is an accomplishment to win an award at these competitions. 

“Just getting to perform is such an accomplishment, but receiving an award is so special,” Mata said. ”It’s such a representation of how much time we put into the show and how much our hard work has paid off.”

There were many hours and rehearsals that were put into the making of this play. That took place during and after school. 

“UIL Theatre, to me, means super late nights and constantly working myself to the bone. But also forming some of the best friendships and getting to be a part of something bigger than myself,” Rogers said.

Rock Hill Theater is going to compete in their Region competition on April 25. If they advance, they will go to state for the first time, continuing to make Rock Hill history. 

This is Matas’ first year doing UIL for theater, “Being a part of this has been so special. It was definitely challenging getting used to UIL, because it is so different from anything I’ve ever done, but it’s very worth it.”

Even though it is her first straight play, Mata has loved the experience.

“This show has changed me to become a better actor and to really look at acting in a new way. It taught me so much about theater and how it’s put on,” Mata said.

Rogers has done theater at Rock Hill since her freshman year, however, this is a huge accomplishment for her. 

“I’m so appreciative of the awards I’ve been selected for, but I believe the whole cast deserves to be up there with me,” Rogers said.

It takes so much work and practice to get these shows to advance to where they are now. Countless hours have been put in, and as long as they keep advancing they will continue to work.

“I’m so pumped for region because I really want this, not only for myself, but my close senior friends; this is the last time they’ll be able to do this,” Rogers said.

Taking up so much time and dedication, theater is art. For both of these actors, being able to win an award at every UIL level is a serious accomplishment for them; as well as Rock Hill Theatre as a whole.

“Not only has this show forced me to grow as an actor, but also as a person. I feel like I have such a deeper appreciation towards myself and other people because of this shoe. It has shown me the true meaning of hard work and dedication,” Rogers said.