Several area schools received superior ratings at the State One-Act Play Festival held Feb. 1-3 at Brandon Valley.
They are James Valley Christian School, De Smet High School, Highmore-Harrold High School, and Huron High School.
JVCS
James Valley Christian School presented “All the Bases,” with a number of awards presented to the cast.
The group of Keziah Appel, Madison Aughenbaugh, Katrina Baltzer, Julia Blom, Marissa Brondsema, Blake Mendel, AbbyRose Miller, Jaime O’Neill, Michael Simonds, Emily Wedel, Mitchell Wipf and Angelina Zuccaro earned an Outstanding Ensemble Award. Matthew Krogstad earned an Outstanding Actor Award.
The cast and crew were directed by Kathy Hofer and Jill Mendel.
Witty repartee, some Shakespeare, and lively music were enjoyed by those attending the comedy. The lesson of the play was summed up by Emily Wedel’s character, “When you try to make art that fits everyone’s preferences, you end up not making art at all.”
“We had eight seniors either acting or working the technical aspects of the play. They are great leaders and they will leave a gap next year,” said director Mendel. “However, we had some returning students as well as new first year students who were naturals on the stage and who were willing to put in the hard work it takes to perform a quality show at this level.”
“We are excited to see these young people develop their gifts,” Mendel added. “Our prayer is that they will use these experiences for God’s glory as camp counselors, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, and in the career God has for them.”
COURTESY PHOTOS
Cast members of James Valley Christian School’s one-act play, “All the Bases,” are shown in costume. JVCS is among area schools earning superior ratings at the One-Act Play Festival held in Brandon Valley. Cast members in the De Smet High School one-act play, “O. Henry’s ‘The Cop and the Anthem,’” are, back row, from left, Nikki Berg, Sydnee Winter, Heidi Petersen, Aria Gruenhagen and Carly Wiese; and in front, Michael Schipper, Max Poppinga, Jordan Rusche, Matthew Rusche, Michelle Wiese and Andrew Holland. Crew members not shown are Kami Buchholz and Broden Lesch, and director Beth Poppen. Cast and crew of Huron High School’s one-act play, “Our Place.”