One-Act Play Season in Full Swing!
By: Leah Pinkston, a freshman at Leigh High School
Not so long ago, the Leigh Community School’s One Act Play Production team assembled to begin planning their first performance of 2020, deciding to bring a widely known story to the stage this year.
The play this year is Monty Python’s Spamalot, a musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It follows King Arthur as he gathers a band of knights together to unite a turbulent England and go on a quest for a Holy Grail.
The play this year is coached by Mrs. Justine Fischer, Mrs. Megan Hillen, and Mrs. Michkayla Wietfeld.
Head Coach Justine Fischer says, “I think One-Act is going really well so far. We are doing the zany comedy Spamalot, which is fitting I think for the zany kind of year 2020 has been! We have a lot of talent, and it is just a matter of developing that talent. We chose a very intricate play with a lot of action as well as singing and dancing. It has been challenging to incorporate all of those elements to say the least. I haven't directed a play in awhile, and I haven't directed a musical ever, so that has been an added challenge, but the kids overall have been awesome. We have some major acting talents in this group! We are probably a little behind where we would like to be at this point in the season because of all these complicated elements, so our Conference competition may not go as we well as we would like, but I do believe we will peak at the right time, and that the risks we are taking will pay off in the end. I am so excited to show people the final product on our community performance on Nov. 29 as well as districts on Dec. 2 in Leigh. Both of these performances are in our new gym on our new stage!
“Of course we would love to end the season as District champs and a state appearance,” Fischer said, “but above all, One-Act is about enjoying the process and doing something with our whole entire school that we can feel proud of, win or lose. I am very proud of the kids so far, and I can't wait to see how we finish the season.”
In total, this year there are 35 cast members, along with 15 more students signed up as crew members. Kanyon Held is the show’s main lead, but there many more students with large parts and some who have up to 6 costume changes.
Senior Kanyon Held, actor who plays King Arthur in Spamalot says, "We have come a long way from the start of the season. We are doing a difficult play so it has been tough learning the songs in the play and figuring out all our set pieces. The Conference competition might be rough, but by districts I believe the play is going to be very good, and I am hopeful we can compete to make it to state and pursue a state championship.”
We wish the One-Act team the best of luck this year! Their community performance will be held on the new stage on Sunday, November 29 at 7 pm, and Districts will be held in Leigh on the new stage on December 2, time TBA.
The One-Act team also hopes you will support them by purchasing Krispy Kreme donuts and coffee products delivered fresh to Leigh on November 29. The link to purchase can be found on the Leigh Community Schools Facebook page or Leigh Community Schools webpage. Or you can contact any One-Act member or coach to place your order! Donuts can be purchased through November 23.