The lights are off, the stage is empty, and the costumes are put on hangers for the final time. 74 people head their separate ways after working together for 5 months. All leave with many memories.
Many little details caused this year's play to draw laughter from all ages. A stick horse, a giant dog, and all the silly things the crew members did. The troupe’s hard work resulted in becoming the 2023 Capitol Conference Champions with the play Jane Eyre, the familiar classic turned into a comedy by Gerald Murphy.
Senior Marissa Staben said, “It's a very special feeling getting off stage and hearing all the amazing things from the judges.”
This year's one act team worked hard to become champions at the York K-Dub Festival, Lincoln Southwest Silver Hawk One Act Festival, and the 2023 Capitol Conference, and finally Runner-up at Districts. All the talented actors received Outstanding Actor awards at least once for their role, but there is one who was crowned Overall Outstanding Actor three times with his lead character of Rochester, the impulsive, enthusiastic, and over dramatic character.
Junior Easton Fiala said, “Getting Overall Outstanding Actor makes me feel like the work I'm putting in is paying off, and I get a physical representation that I'm doing a good job.”
This year's play was different than most due to the bold choice to make the crew part of the on-stage cast in unexpected ways. Junior Landon Voss became a familiar face as he ran across the stage to give a book to Staben and grabbed Fiala’s horse before running off stage, almost falling each time.
Voss said, “I enjoy what I do and have realized that it's a lot of fun, and I have been thinking about auditioning for a role next year.”
Two seniors who have always been backstage finally got a moment together on stage. Seniors Cash Biesterfeld and Wade Powles had the chance to fight over the spotlight and get to be themselves by making the audience laugh with their dance moves.
Director Erik Quam said, “It's more funny because you know these two goofballs.”
The season has come to an end and this year’s one act family is losing 5 seniors that have all contributed to the team's many accomplishments. Now the script has been read for the last time and everyone that was part of one act will just see each other in the halls and classrooms, not on the stage together, or celebrating their achievement together until next year when the process starts all over again.