Hamilton Drama’s One Act Mirrors Success
Eliana Mitchell
On Saturday, October 22, Hamilton High School is hosting its first ever One Act Competition, and the drama program could not be more honored. After preparing throughout the summer and into this school year, the cast of the One Act play, “Mirrors,” is almost ready to compete at district One Act, with the hopes to partake at a state level at UW Whitewater on November 18 and 19.
Participants prepare a show of no more than 40 minutes to perform to a panel of judges and an audience. Actors are critiqued on theme, voice, tempo, movement, setting, characterization, and ensemble, with critiques becoming more strict as the competitions move forward. If a group competes at the state level, they are given the opportunity to earn awards, as shown below through previous accomplishments.
Director Sarah Plamann and Assistant Director Abby Bloomquist have taken the opportunity of a shorter play, smaller cast, and longer preparation time to dig deep into impactful subjects. This year, father and husband Fred Peterson, played by Jonathan Steffen, faces confusion, guilt, and conflicts within himself regarding the fate of his family, played by Eliana Mitchell (Mother), Ava Lally (Marita), Lucas Wenger (Freddie), and Cash Campbell (Chip), with Jillian Arthur playing the doctor.
Watch and support these six performers for no cost at the competition on Saturday, October 22 at 8am and/or on Monday, November 21 at 7:00pm for the home performance to get a better grasp of the story. Both events are located in the Hamilton High School Fine Arts Center.
Previous Years
2021
Last year, the cast of “No Problem,” which grappled with the issues of five teenagers, made school history by sweeping the state competition awards. Members of the cast include Jonathan Steffen, Ava Lally, Eliana Mitchell, Callen Kluender, and Shannon O’Dwyer.
State Awards:
Critic’s Choice
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Directing
Outstanding Technical Theatre
Outstanding Acting: Jonathan Steffen, Ava Lally, Eliana Mitchell, Callen Kluender, and Shannon O’Dwyer.
2020
The play “An Experiment” told the dramatic story of competitions between personalities until one subject remained. The cast of Sydney Fenner, Maggie Flynn, Tarynn Lassiter, Lilly Zellner, Hayden Hotchkiss, and Grace Losey were able to compete at the state level.
State Awards:
Critic’s Choice
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Acting: Sydney Fenner, Maggie Flynn, and Tarynn Lassiter
2019
“I Never Saw Another Butterfly” went through the heartbreaks of the Holocaust, with cast of Hayden Hotchkiss, Maggie Flynn, Emma Swope, Autumn Walentoski, Grace Losey, Evan Smolik, Sydney Fenner, and Sophia Green, who took the performance to state.
State Awards:
Outstanding Acting: Hayden Hotchkiss and Maggie Flynn
