B-E One-Act Play Students Compete at Region Competition
By Sydney Hoffman on January 28, 2019
B-E One-Act team placed first place overall as a team at the region competition Jan. 23 Brandon with their One-Act play, “Aunt Leaf”. The One-Act cast includes the following students: seniors Mercedes Mesman and Sarah Schultz, juniors Katrina Weber and Lindsey Weeldreyer and freshman Sophia Robocker, and each of these students also received a superior ranking individually. The day before the region competition, the One-Act cast performed in front of the B-E middle and high school students at the end of the school day Jan. 22.
“I like doing One-Act each year because of the connections that are made with other crew members,” senior Sarah Schultz said. “I also like seeing everything come together in the end. At first, we all were a little unsure on how to portray the play, but as we began to come together and work on it, it really connected with each one of us and became a fun challenge.”
This production is directed by Ms. Valerie Marsh with assistance from the stage and makeup crew member, freshman Sonja Schultz.
“It was a challenge for the actors to memorize the text because they had to switch parts back and forth,” director Valerie Marsh said. “They also had the challenge of speaking in unison at times. I think during that first week back from Christmas break, everyone was concerned about everything coming together in time. The fear of the approaching deadline helped everyone to focus, and they made great progress the following week. I was very proud of the group for the work that they did to pull off a great performance at the region contest. It has really been a great experience to see the growth of the students who have been involved in the One-Act for the past three or four years, to see them become "pillars" in the cast and evolve into strong, confident performers.”
Aunt Leaf is a drama written by Barbara Wiechmann set in 1910. Annabelle, a quiet 11-year-old, and her depressed and lonely great-aunt Leaf develop a secret ritual of storytelling. Each night the old lady sends the child into the woods to look for the ghost of her dead husband. Each night the girl brings back made-up stories, proof of her uncle, to cheer up the old woman. Annabelle’s fibs grow into stories, and her stories grow into tall tables. As she wanders deeper into the forest each night, she soon comes to believe her own stories are true.
Wiechmann chooses to tell her story without traditional characters or scenes. The actors/actresses narrate the story, each taking turns portraying Annabelle, Aunt Leaf and the other family members.
“I tried out for the One-Act Play because I wanted to be involved and try something new,” freshman Sophia Robocker said. “I really enjoyed the experience. It was different and fun, and I think I will do it again next year.”
The One-Act Play team will compete next at State One-Act in Aberdeen Jan. 31.
“I like doing One-Act each year because of the connections that are made with other crew members,” senior Sarah Schultz said. “I also like seeing everything come together in the end. At first, we all were a little unsure on how to portray the play, but as we began to come together and work on it, it really connected with each one of us and became a fun challenge.”
This production is directed by Ms. Valerie Marsh with assistance from the stage and makeup crew member, freshman Sonja Schultz.
“It was a challenge for the actors to memorize the text because they had to switch parts back and forth,” director Valerie Marsh said. “They also had the challenge of speaking in unison at times. I think during that first week back from Christmas break, everyone was concerned about everything coming together in time. The fear of the approaching deadline helped everyone to focus, and they made great progress the following week. I was very proud of the group for the work that they did to pull off a great performance at the region contest. It has really been a great experience to see the growth of the students who have been involved in the One-Act for the past three or four years, to see them become "pillars" in the cast and evolve into strong, confident performers.”
Aunt Leaf is a drama written by Barbara Wiechmann set in 1910. Annabelle, a quiet 11-year-old, and her depressed and lonely great-aunt Leaf develop a secret ritual of storytelling. Each night the old lady sends the child into the woods to look for the ghost of her dead husband. Each night the girl brings back made-up stories, proof of her uncle, to cheer up the old woman. Annabelle’s fibs grow into stories, and her stories grow into tall tables. As she wanders deeper into the forest each night, she soon comes to believe her own stories are true.
Wiechmann chooses to tell her story without traditional characters or scenes. The actors/actresses narrate the story, each taking turns portraying Annabelle, Aunt Leaf and the other family members.
“I tried out for the One-Act Play because I wanted to be involved and try something new,” freshman Sophia Robocker said. “I really enjoyed the experience. It was different and fun, and I think I will do it again next year.”
The One-Act Play team will compete next at State One-Act in Aberdeen Jan. 31.
