TUPELO- Starkville Community Theatre and Actor's Playhouse in Jackson claimed the top spots at the Mississippi Theatre Association Festival over the weekend.

The event drew about 600 people to Tupelo, where nine community theater plays and eight high school plays were staged at the Lyric Theatre.

SCT's production of "Eleemosynary" and Actor's Playhouse's version of "Rabbit Hole" will represent Mississippi in March at the Southeastern Theatre Conference in Lexington, Ky.

The two theaters shared the Warren McDaniel Best Production award.

On the high school side, Oxford High School won the Dominic J. Cunetto Best Production award for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."

Pearl River Central High School was runner-up with "The Winner." Both high schools will advance to SETC.

Marsha Williams was named to the All Star Cast for SCT's "Eleemosynary." SCT's Mary-Kay Belant was Best Actress, and Paula Mabry won Best Director honors.

Merrie Hughes was named Best Supporting Actress for her work in Tupelo Community Theatre's "Rabbit Hole."

Tallahatchie River Players' "Nunsense" won Best Choreography, and Cathy Garrett and Tina Barkley were named to the All Star Cast.

Oxford High School's All Star Cast members were Eli Williams, Joseph Kelly and Mason Shivers. Oxford also won Best Ensemble, Overall Technical Excellence and Best Director for John Davenport.

Danielle Grimes was chosen Best Supporting Actress for Starkville High School's "Almost, Maine," and Louis Codling was named to the All Star Cast.

Sam Lee earned Best Supporting Actor honors for Corinth High School's "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon," and Jennybeth Hendrick made the All Star Cast.

Rachel Whitehorn with Lafayette High School was named to the All Star Cast for "Heartbreak Tour."

Other winners include:

* Lyle Tate, first place, Adult Solo Musical, SCT.

* Lyle Tate and Krista Vowell, first place, Adult Duet Acting, SCT.

* Suzanne Oakley, second place, Adult Solo Musical, TCT.

* Lisa Ganaway Martin and Allana Austin, first place, Adult Duet Musical, TCT.

* Maureen Hughes, first place, Adult Monologue, Mississippi State.

* Lauren Hughes and Mary Kate Hughes, first place, Youth Duet Musical, Starkville High.

* Davis Richardson and Caitlin Maddox, third place, Youth Duet Musical, Starkville High.

* Caitlin Maddox, third place, Youth Solo Musical Female, Starkville High.

Contact M. Scott Morris at (662) 678-1589 or scott.morris@djournal.com.