The high school one-act play troupe have started their season with their first practice in December and are now preparing for district competition on March 9 in Seymour.
After performing plays that were solely dramas for the past several years, the troupe is breaking new ground and performing a comedy play called “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
Set in 1904, the plot revolves around the eccentric Smith family consisting of four daughters, the eldest brother in college, their oddball grandfather and the two parents: Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The upcoming World’s Fair in St. Louis has excited the family, but Mr. Smith has to break the news that his new promotion will force them to move to New York before the fair starts.
Antics ensue as the two eldest daughters Rose and Esther attempt to keep their family from having to move, while also balancing complicated love lives.
For the 2022 one-act play season, director Becky Nogle is striving to make this season another success.
“Our goals this year remain the same,” Nogle said. “We always strive to develop the best play for our company and for our community and, of course, want to advance from district competition and each competition level after that.”
Another change is the addition of a new co-director: counselor and UIL coordinator Leslie Graham.
“After having to step back a few seasons, we are very excited to have Mrs. Graham back full-time as a co-director,” Nogle said. “Even in her interim, she was handling many essential tasks for HSOAP involving paperwork and traveling preparations, but now having her back makes HSOAP season feel normal again.”
Graham said she feels like she is relearning how to ride a bike when it comes to being more involved with HSOAP again this year.
“The main obstacle is getting used to rule changes as far as set design and other elements of UIL guidelines,” Graham said. “I’ve missed the weekly rehearsals and the relationships developed throughout the season, as well as the theatre atmosphere in general.”
Sophomore Leiah Graham said she loves the social aspect of one-act play.
“I am excited to have fun acting with friends in hilarious scenes,” Graham said. “I play Mrs. Waughop, a snobby, older woman that everyone hates and is always out to get the girls in trouble.”
Even though it is his last year, senior Ace Reid said he isn’t too emotional about leaving HSOAP after this season.
“It doesn’t feel like anything has really changed emotionally for me in my last year, and I don’t necessarily feel sad nor happy about it either,” Reid said. “I play a spry Grandpa with a vivid imagination and Mr. Dodge, a head-strong boss man who doesn’t like to joke around.”