A Play Worthy of the History Books
By Mercedes Mesman on February 16, 2018
It was a momentous year for the Bridgewater-Emery One Act cast and crew. They strived for the gold the region and state festivals and made history at both events.
Region One Act Festival was held Jan. 24 at the Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center. They competed against six other schools for a chance to compete in the state festival. Dennis Chandler, Sandra Kern Mollman and Matthew Nesmith judged the contest. After the performance, the judges gave critiques to help them improve for their next performance.
“After hearing the judges’ comments on our performance at the region contest, we did what we could to incorporate their suggestions for change. We tightened up the transitions between scenes, we added set up music, we paused at the ends of scenes to create more of a feeling of finality to the scenes, we worked on projection and articulation to fill that 800-seat theatre,” director Valerie Marsh said.
The Bridgewater Emery cast and crew were awarded first place and advanced to the state festival for the first time in the school’s history. Three of the cast members were also award superior performer awards: junior Mercedes Mesman and sophomores Lindsey Weeldreyer and Katrina Weber.
“I felt happiness when I heard our school called at regions. I had no idea what to expect when performing at state, as our school has never been there. During the performance we [the actors] heard laughter after laughter. I believe that we knew this was our shot and instead of freaking out we had fun with it. Going to state was an experience that I hope will come again next year and the year after that,” junior Sarah Schultz said.
The troupe was fortunate enough to have a near home stage advantage with the state festival also taking place at Brandon Valley Feb 1-3. They performed “Hamlette” as the opener to the entire state festival Feb. 1. They were then judged by a panel of three judges who decided which of the plays deserved a Superior Ensemble, Play or Performer award.
“I think everyone felt good about the performance at the State Festival. It was great to kick off the whole event as the first school of 45 to perform. We had a great, responsive audience at State. I was ready for the State Festival judges to "rake us over the coals" at the State critique, but they were very complimentary! They had some great ideas of things we could change to make it even better, if only we continued with this “Hamlette” project! I was very happy with how things unfolded,” Marsh said.
After three days of anxious waiting, results were announced on Saturday, Feb. 3. Director Valerie Marsh, along with actors Mercedes Mesman, Lindsey Weeldreyer and Katrina Weber, attended the award ceremony. The crew was ecstatic to receive a “Superior Play” award: the highest award they were able to receive. The three actors also received “Superior Performer” at the state level.
“Advancing to the State Festival, seeing three of our actors earn "Superior Performer" awards, both at the region and state levels, and earning a "Superior Play" award surpassed my expectations! I'm very proud of the group's accomplishments. They gave their best in performance. Even if they hadn't received the awards that they did, I would be proud of their efforts!” Marsh said.
The Bridgewater-Emery production of “Hamlette” is not one soon to be forgotten. They have made history by not only winning first at the region festival, but also winning a superior at state.
Region One Act Festival was held Jan. 24 at the Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center. They competed against six other schools for a chance to compete in the state festival. Dennis Chandler, Sandra Kern Mollman and Matthew Nesmith judged the contest. After the performance, the judges gave critiques to help them improve for their next performance.
“After hearing the judges’ comments on our performance at the region contest, we did what we could to incorporate their suggestions for change. We tightened up the transitions between scenes, we added set up music, we paused at the ends of scenes to create more of a feeling of finality to the scenes, we worked on projection and articulation to fill that 800-seat theatre,” director Valerie Marsh said.
The Bridgewater Emery cast and crew were awarded first place and advanced to the state festival for the first time in the school’s history. Three of the cast members were also award superior performer awards: junior Mercedes Mesman and sophomores Lindsey Weeldreyer and Katrina Weber.
“I felt happiness when I heard our school called at regions. I had no idea what to expect when performing at state, as our school has never been there. During the performance we [the actors] heard laughter after laughter. I believe that we knew this was our shot and instead of freaking out we had fun with it. Going to state was an experience that I hope will come again next year and the year after that,” junior Sarah Schultz said.
The troupe was fortunate enough to have a near home stage advantage with the state festival also taking place at Brandon Valley Feb 1-3. They performed “Hamlette” as the opener to the entire state festival Feb. 1. They were then judged by a panel of three judges who decided which of the plays deserved a Superior Ensemble, Play or Performer award.
“I think everyone felt good about the performance at the State Festival. It was great to kick off the whole event as the first school of 45 to perform. We had a great, responsive audience at State. I was ready for the State Festival judges to "rake us over the coals" at the State critique, but they were very complimentary! They had some great ideas of things we could change to make it even better, if only we continued with this “Hamlette” project! I was very happy with how things unfolded,” Marsh said.
After three days of anxious waiting, results were announced on Saturday, Feb. 3. Director Valerie Marsh, along with actors Mercedes Mesman, Lindsey Weeldreyer and Katrina Weber, attended the award ceremony. The crew was ecstatic to receive a “Superior Play” award: the highest award they were able to receive. The three actors also received “Superior Performer” at the state level.
“Advancing to the State Festival, seeing three of our actors earn "Superior Performer" awards, both at the region and state levels, and earning a "Superior Play" award surpassed my expectations! I'm very proud of the group's accomplishments. They gave their best in performance. Even if they hadn't received the awards that they did, I would be proud of their efforts!” Marsh said.
The Bridgewater-Emery production of “Hamlette” is not one soon to be forgotten. They have made history by not only winning first at the region festival, but also winning a superior at state.
