Riley Mullgardt
Entertainment Editor
While other high schools only allow seniors to direct professionally published One Act plays, the WGHS drama department allows any student from any class to not only direct plays, but also write them.
There is a writing contest to see whose plays are picked to be feature in that season of One Act plays.
Sponsor and drama teacher Todd Schaefer said, “It’s by far one of the best traditions here.”
While auditioning, students walk around to each director and read a snippet of their script. After all of the actors have tried out, the directors come together and argue for who gets which actor.
“We use these shows as a recruitment for the department. It’s the best way to get the freshman involved,” Schaefer explained.
Once the roles are set, the plays begin rehearsal. The directors get about five weeks to rehearse but they cannot rehearse on campus. Directors must find their own space to set up, and they only get two days to be on the stage before the show.
“This year, four of the five plays are written by Webster Alumni,” Schaefer said.
Carl Wickman, Class of 2014, wrote the play “What You Need,” which will star Bridget Kahrhoff and Logan Corzine and be directed by senior Rowan Van Horn.
Mel Umbaugh, Class of 2014, wrote “One Act,” which will have Sydney Cimarolli, Sophie Weik, Cole Schnell, Spencer Erb and Erin Peterson as the cast and senior Alex White directing.
Katie Ribant, Class of 2011, wrote “Your Other Left,” which will star Jocelyn Woods, Trinity Madison, Kwan Willhoft and Reece Hohle and be directed by senior Loren Kahrhoff.
Caroline Siede, Class of 2007, wrote “Ester,” which will feature Hannah Leatherbarrow, Rowan Van Horn, Ben Hardin, Zia Massena, Ellie Gilstrap, Sam Getz and Emmett Kileen as the leads and is directed by Jake Collins and Kate Becker.
The last One Act is called “Vape Nation,” which is written and will be directed by senior Dorothea Starr LeBeau and star Elizabeth Teeter and Miles Umbaugh.
One Acts will take place on Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Auditorium Black Box Theater.
See also: Slideshow: One Acts attract sellout crowd
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