The theatre company took their one-act-play to the UIL District competition Mar. 14-15. They performed Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and placed second in the contest. They will be advancing to Bi-Dirstrict Mar. 28.
“We started the rehearsal process with an all day workshop where we learned to fight with the bo staff,” theatre director Lisa Newton said. “From that point on we rehearsed eight hours during the school week and held Saturday rehearsals twice a month.”
Time is key when producing and performing a play like this. However, time is only part of the process when it comes to preparation.
“We started off with table work which is deep script analysis and character development,” Mrs. Newton said. “The fight ensemble started with the basic fighting techniques they had used and began to build the fight sequences. Over the course of the next two months we added costumes, hair, set, and lights.”
That’s just the beginning to the work that goes into constructing a play, and for the directors, one of the more relaxed steps.
“The most stressful thing about the District contest is waiting to perform – and of course the awards ceremony,” Mrs. Newton said. “At that point the cast, crew, and directors have done all we could and whether we advance is in the hands of the three judges.”
Much of the organization takes place off stage with the directing and stage managing, but what about on the stage?
“I knew we were going to perform well,” senior Kaylynn Sharp said. “But I was still so shocked when I heard the results.”
Advancing to Bi-District takes every bit of help. Not only did theater excel as a team, but individually as well, earning awards for “Best Performer,” “Outstanding Tech,” “Honorable Mention All Star Cast,” and “All Star Cast,” .
“I got the ‘Best Performer’ award,” Kaylynn said. “I still can’t believe it but I feel so honored. What I enjoyed more than anything was advancing all together though. I’m just so proud of everyone that was a part of the play.”
It takes every bit of help on and off stage when putting together a production, and that couldn’t be more certain in this case.
“I got awarded with ‘Best Technician’,” junior Morgan Breaux said. “Being a tech is a lot more complicated and stressful than some people think so I was happy to get that recognition.”
Considering everything, it’s no mystery why theatre is advancing to Bi-District. All of the preparation and work paid off, and more importantly, was another milestone accomplished.
“It’s so exciting when we take the stage at the top of the show,” Mrs. Newton said. “After that, it is the awards ceremony and seeing the joy on each of their faces when they knew they advanced is the best part.”