Curtain rises on One Act play season
Large cast will help Cedar bring comedy to life
HARTINGTON — A drop from Class C1 to C2 is just one of the aspects the Cedar Catholic One-Act play team faces during a different type of season.
Coming off a summer compromised by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Trojans are hoping to improve on last year’s fifth-place finish at Districts under head coach Audrey Freeman, who is starting her 13th year in charge.
And why not enter the unknown by taking on Eddie Zipperer’s play “Don’t Fear the Reaper?”
“It’s a great comedy with several larger parts to fit my older cast members,” Freeman said. “The play is extremely relatable and has a great combination of funny and touching moments.”
It’s not going to hurt that once again CCHS will hit the stage with a large, ensemble cast of talent.
“We have always used big casts and this year is no exception,” Freeman said. “I have 39 cast members of varying degrees and they have a great stage presence. I’m relying on a mix of older and younger talent and each student has a role that fits their personality. I am so proud of the growth of each kid over this season.
“We always want to go to state. But keeping our team healthy and having fun feels a little more important than it usually is.”
With One Act plays something a lot of teams prepare for as early as the summer, a historic virus has caused preparations to change this year.
“We’ve been very lucky to have had minimal interruptions,” Freeman said. “Part of our issue is many of our students are involved in other activities, so balancing that is always a challenge. We are disappointed, but understanding, of regulations such as a minimal audience and having to prep at home and leave after performances. The kids are so flexible though and hope to continue to get to perform.”
Trojan junior Carter Klug is fired up about the new season.
It is especially uplifting since there were always some doubts a season would even take place.
“I was worried because there are so many people in a compact area that I thought we might get shut down,” Klug said. “There was always a bit of a worry that I may not be able to perform. We’ve been following the guidelines of wearing a mask and keeping our distance. Overall, we’ve done well.”
Klug likes the direction of the group with the new play. “I think we interact well, and we are a tight group and are really good friends,” Klug said. “We are on the same page with everything and putting in the work we need to put in.”
The Trojans opened the season last Thursday at the Mid-States Conference at West Point.
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