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RANDOLPH — It’s 6:45 a.m., and while most teens are still hitting snooze, the drama crew at Randolph High School is already in rehearsal—because in just a few weeks, they’ll bring the chaos, comedy and camaraderie of high school hallways to life in the one-act play Passing Periods at Pomegranate Prep by renowned playwright Jon Jory.
Under the direction of Peggy Lackas and Lori Kalin, the students are in full prep mode: practicing every Tuesday and Thursday morning and adding evening sessions to sharpen their stagecraft before the first public performance.
“I always look forward to the performances because the students really seem to ‘pull it together’ for an audience. It is fun to see their improvements along the way and it is always great to see them having fun,” Lackas said.
The play itself is an ideal match for the cast and crew.
Passing Periods at Pomegranate Prep is described as an “unconventional ‘day-in-the-life’ one act … a perfect pick … with quirky characters, quick action, and fast-paced dialogue.”
The play presents a patchwork of brief hallway scenes at Pomegranate Prep—whether it’s misguided cheerleaders shirking responsibility in favor of flair, love-able loser athletes consoling each other in the face of mediocrity, or friendships being formed after tragedy.
The cast list features Brecken Shearer as Basketball Kevin (and also playing Andres), Ryan Engel as Football Kevin, Josh Miller as Cisco, Jaylen Junck as Steve, Alaina Schulz as Chantille and Jeannie (yes two roles), Emily Gilliland as Maddie, Luke Harder as Ramon, Jenna Guenther as Julieta and Olga (dual roles), Sydney Robinson as Miss Dimdorfer, Emma Naslund as Laura, the Greek Chorus of Abbey Backer, Jaden Dickes, Bria Reimers and Peyton Thelen, Karma Lins as Ashley, Olivia Rayford as Kenzie, Braylee Kelley as Lindsay, Lilly Kuchta as Tara, Maddy Aulner as Keely, and Alaina Schulz doubling as Jeannie. Behind the scenes, the stage crew comprises Meghann Miller, Alexis Backhaus, Delaney Thelen, Aubrey Weyhrich, Rylee Reimers, Brooke Meier and Mabel Ngebeh.
With its quick scenes, energetic pacing and relatable high-school setting, this one-act invites audiences to chuckle at the foibles of hallway politics while also catching small moments of genuine connection.
The production promises not just laughs, but a vivid snapshot of that fleeting, frenetic interval between classes that most of us remember— whether fondly or with a wince.
Audience members are encouraged to arrive early for the home performance on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. in the school auditorium.
The production schedule ahead includes: Nov. 13 at the Jaguar Festival in West Point (time TBA) Nov. 14 at home in the Randolph High School gym at 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 18 at the Lewis and Clark Conference One Act Festival in Randolph at 2 p.m.
Dec. 1 at district One Act play competition in Wausa (time TBA)
