Play advances to bi-district
By Kathy Thomson
Albany High School’s one act play (OAP) will advance to bi-district competition, and six members of the troupe won special accolades at the district contest in Stamford on Thursday, March 5.
The bi-district OAP contest will also be held in Stamford on Wednesday, March 25.
Receiving the honor of All-Star Cast was B.J.Morris for his performance as Major-General Sir Richard Hannay, the hero in The 39 Steps.
Tana Thompson, Brooks Neece, and Jackson Chapman were chosen for Honorable Mention All Star Cast.
Thompson portrayed two characters, while Neece also served double duty, and Chapman filled five roles.
Avery Kleiner and Kea-tin Russell were named to the All-Star Technical Crew.
“The play went really well,” said director Jenny Scott. “I had been a little worried about our time, because we had been running close to the (maximum) limit, but we were fine.”
The cast and crew had a more challenging time at district than they were expecting, according to Scott.
“For the first few minutes the sound didn’t work,” she said. “Apparently the previous school had turned off the sound equipment. They are not supposed to do that.”
Scott added that she is sure it was not done on purpose.
“We are all so used to working in our own theaters, where you turn the sound off when you are done,” she said. “Our crew kept working on the problem and figured it out. They showed that they can work well under pressure!”
Advancing to bi-district with Albany are Haskell and Cross Plains. Stamford is the District 8 alternate.
The top three plays at district are not given placings, but instead all three advance to bi-district.
“So far, we don’t know which three schools are coming from District 7,” said the director. “They won’t have their district competition until March 21.”
The top three plays at bi-district will advance to area competition in Denver City on Saturday, April 4.
Scott said that one of the judges gave the Albany cast some ideas on how to make the comedy even more effective for bi-district.
“He made some suggestions that should improve the comedic timing and also recommended that we make the characters a little bigger,” said Scott. “We took off for spring break, but will be back at rehearsals starting Sunday, and we’ll try to incorporate his ideas.”
The 39 Steps was adapted by Patrick Barlow from a novel by John Buchan and a film by Alfred Hitchcock.
The play is a combined thriller, comedy, drama, and romance. The hero, Richard Hannay, is swept out of his boring life and into one full of intrigue, spies, and a nation-wide manhunt following the death of a woman with whom he was romantically involved.
Cast members include: Hannay – B.J. Morris, Annabella/Mr. Macqee – Tana Thompson, Clown 1/Pilot 2 – Brooks Neece, Mrs. Higgins/Compere – Ella Webb, Salesman 1/John McTyte/Sheriff/Mr. McGarrigle/Mr. Memory – William Webb, Salesman 2/Clown 2/Pilot 1/Inspector/Mr. Dunwoody – Jackson Chapman, Policeman 1 – Taylor Scott, Policeman 2 – Carli Edgar, Pamela – Hannah Trail, Margaret – Cydney Nelson, Policeman 3 – Briley Tabor, Mrs. Jordan – Alayna Koemel, Professor/Radio Announcer – Bryson Davis, and Mrs. McGarrigle – Caitlan Lee.
Alternates are Bryce Asher and Lizzie Chavez.
Crew members include lights – Keatin Russell, sound – Averie Kleiner, stage manager – Sidney Bartee, and assistant to the stage manager – Pres-ley Green.
Directors are Jenny Scott and Jonathan Scott.
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