Best Short Film

Quarter-Finalist

Hopscotch is the story of two teenagers leaving their hometown for the first time. They reflect on their childhoods, teenage love, heartbreak, and life on the precipice of the next chapter of their lives. They contemplate the ways they have or have not changed and most importantly, understand what they love about their town and each other before they depart.

Production Team

Willow Lindsay (Writer, Director, Composer)

Willow Lindsay (they/he/she) is a 15-year-old screenwriter and director. They are a sophomore at Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts with a concentration in theatre. Lindsay produced their debut short film, Remember with Ghostlight Studios, and continues to create with them with their newest project Hopscotch. They write to stay sane and are always creating something, whether it be films, plays, or music.

Jacob Gers (Executive Producer, Studio Head, Technical Coordinator)

Jacob Gers is a junior theatre major at Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual Arts. He also is the Artistic & Managing Director of Ghostlight Studios, a teen-led entertainment studio. He can typically be found working in a theatre around town or watching The Office (again.) A few of his favorite pieces include Anastasia, Heart of the Woods, The Language Archive and many more. For more, visit online at www.theghostlightstudios.com/jacob

Cast

Emily Witherspoon (Summer)

Emily Witherspoon is a sophomore theatre major at Weaver Academy. She also does theatre with Stagelights. A few of her favorite performances she’s been part of include Something Rotten, Anastasia, and The Music Man. She enjoys theatre, watching movies, and making jewelry.

Gavin Tabler (Dante)

Gavin Tabler is currently a sophomore. His previous work is as the cinematographer for Remember. He also has an extensive history of stage performances, including The Music Man. When not in the arts, he enjoys playing D&D and baking. Follow him on Instagram @TheKrakensKrak. 

Maddy Tuggle (Melody)

Maddy Tuggle is 14 years old and a freshman at Weaver. Maddy has been doing musical theatre since they were 7 years old and was recently in the short film Remember by Willow Lindsay. Maddy enjoys photography, makeup, and listening to podcasts. You can find them on Instagram @gingeralejuice 

Max Thompson (Jack)

Max Thompson is a 15-year-old actor from the United States. He has participated in many shows with Stagelights Theatre Company and his previous school theatre programs with shows including The Drowsy Chaperone, Curtains, The Music Man, and Beauty and the Beast. In his free time, he teaches himself guitar, draws, and paints. 

Corrina Dillon (Young Dante)

Corrina Dillon is a 9th grader at Weaver Academy for theatre. She was recently seen as Ms. Darbus in High School Musical Jr. She hopes you enjoy the film!

Laney Kaley (Young Summer)

Laney Kaley is a sophomore at Weaver Academy for the Performing Arts. Film: Girl in Remember Regional: Myrtle in Beautiful Star, Eleanor Blessing in Edward Too, Fan and Want in A Christmas Carol, Child in Denim King Community: Rhoda in The Bad Seed, Teenage Anastasia in Anastasia.

Laney enjoys volunteering at preschools, summer camps, and food drives. She also works for a party princess company around central NC. Instagram: @Laneymingo

Elan Johnson (Owen)

Elan Johnson is a sophomore at Weaver Academy for the Performing and Visual. He has been doing theatre since the age of nine and has been seen in shows such as Guys and Dolls, Little Shop of Horrors, and Matilda. He has worked backstage in roles such as associate director, stage hand, and usher. He likes video games and films.

Crew

Mayanna Johnson (1st AD, Location Coordinator, Composer)

Mayanna Johnson is in 11th grade at Weaver Academy. Her work on Hopscotch is their first film project. She has been doing musical theater for 6 years, having played Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, Logainne SchwartzandGrubenierre in The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee, and Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. They have been working backstage in live theatre filling roles such as usher, makeup artist, videographer, and deck crew. @mayannaj.16

Logan Perry (Music Supervisor, Music Producer, Composer)

Logan Perry is the Lead Music Supervisor at Ghostlight Studios, recording and composing songs for films along with other projects. Logan is also an artist of a net-label NJOM (Not Just Ordinary Music) based in Indiana, producing under aliases, the most popular being "10x0c" the downtempo, ambient-electronic alias of Logan. His work can be found on streaming services along with Bandcamp and SoundCloud. For more visit www.linktr.ee/10x0c

Venus Nixon (Cinematographer)

Venus Nixon is a student at Piedmont Classical High School. They've performed in many musicals, but their favorites include; Aladdin Jr., Guys and Dolls, Something Rotten, The Music Man, and more; They enjoy writing, singing, and performing and are currently working on a short film script of their own.