SHS freshman West qualifies for theatrical design contest

Snyder High School freshman Jaden West may have found his calling.
He is the first Snyder student to qualify for the theatrical design state championship and will compete against students from Class 4A to 1A next week in Round Rock. West’s entry, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, will competeThursday.
West and other competitors had a big task — they had to produce a set for the play that has not been produced before. 
“I had to take the sets I knew and make them like I thought Roald Dahl would want them today,” West said of the book’s author.
West started with a few sketched ideas. He followed the University Interscholastic League guidelines, which stated entries could not be based upon the live productions or the films sets.
“Because this script was adapted from the novel, you may also use the novel as a reference for descriptions,” the guidelines stated.
West said he read the novel to come up with his idea of 11 different sets — from the TV room to a scene from inside the candy factory.
He received some guidance from his parents, Jason and Jami West, and teachers Darin Duzan and Clark Reed. But the ideas and concepts were all his.
“I am super excited to be competing at state,” he said.
Reed said West has accomplished more than he expected this year.
“It is super exciting to see a freshman be so successful in a short period of time,” he said.
As for the future, West said theatrical design could be a career option, but for now he wants to concentrate on Thursday’s viewing at the Round Rock Performing Arts Center. He is one of 18 students competing in the Division I set design contest.