Arcola School students went out of their way to please recently as they presented the short play, 'Note to Self.'
Written by former Oxbow resident and now prolific and successful playwright Bradley Hayward, 'Note to Self' was an excellent choice for the school's drama team to compete with at the annual Region One Drama Festival.
A time travelling romp, visited by and with some significant individuals from history including Elvis, Amelia Earhart, and Anne Frank, 'Note to Self' was the perfect production for the festival, due to its limited prop needs and short delivery time.
Focusing on the internal life of 10 high school students, the play brings out the hilarity and adversity of teenager-dom.
The Arcola cast and crew performed the play twice on Wednesday, March 28, once in the early afternoon for fellow students, and again that evening for their parents and the general public.
A third performance was done at the Region One Drama Festival at Oxbow School, where the Arcola group had the privilege of delivering the first performance of the event.
"I'm really happy with what our people did," said teacher and director Graham James. "I think everyone had a really good time, and I think the play was really well received."
Competing against schools like Gordon F. Kells in Carlyle, as well as Oxbow, and numerous others, James felt his students had some great competition.
"It was a really great weekend, and I'm really happy with the outcome," James said. "There were a lot of good schools there, and the whole thing was quite fun."
The Arcola cast and crew's hard work paid off too, in medals and distinctions that ended up being awarded.
Winning Runner Up for the Mary Ellen Burgess Award for Acting Excellence was Miranda Greening.
Runner Up for Best Stage Manager went to Payton Hannem.
Amy Cobb and Juliana Schlenker were both given technical awards; Cobb for her work on the time machine prop, and Schlenker for the Anne Frank dress she tailored for the show.
An Acting Certificate of Merit was issued to Savanna Bryce, and Juliana Schlenker was again recognized with the director issued Unsung Hero award.
Bradley Hayward, the playwright, was himself at the event, where plays he had written were presented by three different school, including Arcola.
Cast:
Amy Cobb: Alyssa/Grandma/Teacher; Riley James: Brad/Businessman/Classmate one;
Savanna Bryce: Jenna/Manager/Saxophone/Classmate two/Amelia Earhart;
James Herman: Colby/Athlete two/Angry Driver/Luke
Quinn Brown: Frank/Gym Teacher/Cymbals;
Miranda Greening: Kayla/Morgan/Elvis Presley;
Juliana Schlenker: Darcy/Friend/Anne Frank;
Sara Haddow: Taylor/Mom/Tuba;
Clay Trytten: Athlete one/Wiseguy;
Cassie Eaton: Chorus/Cheerleader;
Emily Ellis: Chorus/Child;
Emilie Craig: Chorus/Goofball
Crew
Payton Hannem: stage manager;
Taylor Hengen: prompter;
Drew Fleck: sound;
Tyson Hislop: lights
Directors
Whitney Paul and Graham James
