Initially performed outdoors in spring 2021 to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions, Brazosport Center Stages’ production of An Iliad returned to the stage this last weekend at Theater Network of Texas, Inc.’s TEXFest in Kerrville. The theater festival and competition included performances from Boerne Community Theatre, Brazosport Center Stages, Fort Stockton Community Theatre and Playhouse 2000.

Written by Denis O’Hare and Lisa Peterson, Center Stages’ An Iliad featured actor Jeremy Todd reprising his role as The Poet and Cory Todd as The Muse. Connie Marshall directed the show, Shirley Busbice served as stage manager and Wes Copeland directed the production’s lighting and sound.

When Center Stages originally selected An Iliad to bring to the stage last year, the production allowed for a small cast and crew to limit interaction due to COVID-19. Three actors, including Jeremy Todd, took on the role, which amounts to a 90+ minute monologue with musical accompaniment by The Muse.

With 11 months having passed since the original performances, the cast and crew spent several weeks working to get the production stage-ready once again. Their hard work and dedication certainly paid off.

Center Stages’ production was deemed one of two winners and awarded a paid advancement to the Southwest Theater Competition in April, where they will compete against theaters from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In addition to the production’s advancement, the cast and crew were recognized for their efforts.

Jeremy Todd was awarded “Best Actor” and Cory Todd was awarded “All Star Cast”. Center Stages also received the “Audience Acclaim Award” and the “Backstage Award”, which recognizes the company that judges felt operated in the most composed, efficient and outstanding manner during the festival.

Director Connie Marshall was pleased with both how well the performance went and how the audience responded.

“We were overwhelmed by the reception the performance received at TEXFest,” she said. “I am very proud of this hardworking cast and crew and excited to present An Iliad at the Southwest Theater Conference in April. It is a good story, told exceptionally well.”