For nearly four years, three students have portrayed a plethora of characters in various dramatic productions on the Calvary Lutheran High School stage. Next week, they will be taking on a different role.
On Feb. 28 and March 1, these three seniors will watch their fellow students deliver productions they hand picked and directed during the annual One Act Festival at Calvary Lutheran High School.
"They have listened to us give them directions, give them suggestions, try to figure out who their character is and how to develop that character, and see how we give stage directions. They are taking all of that knowledge and now they are on the other side," said Louise Whitworth, drama director overseeing the student-directed plays in the One Act Festival. "Not only do they need to pick out a play that they feel matches what they want, but one that will also work with the students we have and the school."
Whitworth's daughter, Liz, is one of the senior directors and had careful reasoning why she chose to present "Crushed" by Don Zolidis in the One Act Festival.
"I chose it because it was really funny and I was looking for one that had two narrators. I'm a more comedy, action-packed kind of person, and it has so many funny little skits that require a lot of movement or action. It makes me really happy," she said. "I thought I could include my personality into it and show a fun little play."
"Crushed" follows a guy and a girl who end up having hallucinations because they are lonely and in their rooms for a long time, Liz described. They go through many scenarios of what not to do when you have a crush on someone.
"Eventually they even go on a date with each other and it is a whole lot of shenanigans and craziness; it is very funny," she added.
Liz is also acting in different male roles alongside her total cast of nine while directing "Crushed."
"On top of directing, Liz is acting and is a guy every time. She's had to learn how she can be different people, not wanting them to all be the same," Whitworth added.
Senior Sam Gooch is also acting in the one-act play he is co-directing with senior Amanda Thieme, "The 10 Best Worst Things About High School" by M.G. Davidson. The friends first met while acting in their first dramatic production freshman year, feeling the One Act Festival was on the horizon for them, especially for Thieme.
"I just told him 'Sam, you and I are going to direct a play together our senior year,'" she said as the two laughed.
"I figured, why not? Everyone else is doing it, and it looked like a lot of fun," Sam added.
"The 10 Best Worst Things About High School" follows a super optimistic girl who looks at all the bright and best things in her life, and a super pessimistic guy who dislikes everything and sees high school as "terrible," Thieme explained.
"I knew I wanted to do a comedy, then I found this play and knew of certain people that would fit the roles really, really well," she said, noting there are eight cast members total. "It is full of laughs and is a lot of fun."
Thieme and Gooch said they have learned a lot being directors, including finding props that help transition scenes, helping to put together a more difficult costume and simply developing their vision of the play and working with the actors to deliver it.
"I like being in control," Thieme said, laughing as Sam nodded his head.
"I'm more like yes, that sounds good," he added.
"As an actor I had learned this but definitely as a director that communication is key," Thieme said. "Trying to make it easy and fun for everyone but getting it all done; we have learned to do that as an actor and now as a director."
"That is a challenge in itself," Sam added, "but we have seemed to be successful."
Students competing in the Missouri State High School Activities Association One Act Play competition March 6 will also present "Helium" by Julian Wiles during the One Act Festival. Directed by Calvary Lutheran High School teachers William Schatte and Tyler Zander, "Helium" follows Mrs. Kingsley, an elderly woman with dementia that is pulling in and out of reality and her times as a teacher.
"A lot of the story is about the family and loved ones around her, balancing the reality of how to help her but also how much do they humor her with these worlds that she pulls in and out of," Zander said, noting Mrs. Kingsley is played by Becca Schatte. "There is a lot of humor but a lot of heart to it.
Kingsley's daughter, Alice, played by Zoe Collett, struggles the most with the best way to help her mother and remembering the wonderful woman she once was and still is. Alice often butts heads with Kingsley's hired caretaker Ruth, played by Abby Gooch, who is trying to find the right healthy balance for Kingsley. Laura Spradlin, Molly Wolken, Samuel Luektemeyer and Willow Garwood fill out the extended cast that includes Kingsley's two other daughters and other characters and crew.
Schatte and Zander are excited to deliver "Helium" in the MSHSAA competition, advancing to state with their one-act play last year for the first time Calvary Lutheran High School had ever participated in the event. The One Act Festival will also be a great way for them to showcase the students' hard work in preparation for competition and a powerful, relational drama for the community.
"It is about the challenges of old age. It is about a woman who is dealing with dementia. Some of the funny situations that come of having exchanges with a person with dementia, but also some of the serious, heartbreaking things," Schatte said. "It is a touchtone to the community who deals with Alzheimer's and dementia and how we care for our elders in the eve of life, relaying some of the challenges and the fun, unique memories that come out of it."
Whitworth said she is proud of all the students participating in the One Act Festival and encouraged that the event continues to teach all the students, particularly the senior directors, important life skills.
"They have to tell the cast what they want in a reasonable way. It is good for them to learn how to work with others in a leadership role, and as a senior, leadership is really important," she added.
Principal Erich Ahlers agrees and knows the One Act Festival is a perfect example of Calvary Lutheran High School's mission to build strong leadership in its students.
"We are building Christian leaders and this festival is one of the ways our fine arts can build those leaders. There are a lot of skills that are developed," he said. "There is a difference between doing something yourself and helping others become able do it. That is what these students do during this event."
The One Act Festival is at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 and March 1 at Calvary Lutheran High School, 2525 Route B. Admission is free, but a freewill offering is appreciated. For more information, call 573-638-0228.