HNS senior named C2's 'Outstanding male Performer'

NORFOLK – Lane Heimes has been praised at the state level for his prehistoric performance.

The Hartington-Newcastle High School senior was named Class C2's 'Outstanding Male Performer' Dec. 8 during the 2022 Nebraska School Activities Association State Play Production Championships.

'Four years of hard work paid off,' Heimes said. 'I am truly grateful for being named the most 'Outstanding Male Performer.'' Heimes, who also was one of several Hartington-Newcastle students to receive an outstanding performance award, played Ug in 'Ug, the Caveman Musical.'

Hartington-Newcastle's comedic one-act production was about Ug leading a group of cavemen who invent the first play ever.

In addition to his individual achievements, Heimes and his fellow Hartington-Newcastle students won this year's Class C2 state one-act title after performing at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk.

He noted he felt “thankful and

relieved" after the final results revealed Hartington-Newcastle had finished in first place.

"It is really a dream come true," Heimes said. "Our performance was perfect, the crowd was amazing and the judges awarded us with a perfect score of three firsts and three 60s.

"I couldn't be more grateful to win my last state performance as a high schooler," he said. "All of the hard work and long practices paid o." He gave credit to A.J. Johnson, Har - tington-Newcastle's longtime one-act coach.

"My coaches, especially Mr. John - son, have formed me into an amazing actor," Heimes said. "I have had a speaking part ever since my sophomore year. Mr. Johnson saw my potential freshman year.

"He gave me a speaking part my sophomore year even though I was hesitant and never auditioned," he said. "I am so thankful for all the hard work and time he has put into this program. We are so lucky to have him." As for individual honors, he noted he has received multiple outstanding per - formance awards since he has gotten a speaking part in Hartington-Newcas - tle's play productions.

"This year, I was awarded the 'Outstanding Male Performer' award at conference," Heimes said. "This gave me a lot of confidence, which peaked my performance. Winning the 'Outstanding Male Performer' award at state is a true honor." It's easy to understand why he en - joyed playing the role of Ug this year in "Ug, the Caveman Musical." "I got to be cool and a leader, but I also got to act dumb and funny," Heimes said. "I was very excited when I saw I got to play Ug. It was so cool to be the hero of the play." He noted the musical was the best option for Hartington-Newcastle's cast.

"Every character fit each of our personalities," Heimes said. "Our characters were so precisely developed that we made them our own. This was a very fun show to perform." He explained he enjoys one-act per - formances because he gets to entertain people and make them laugh.

"I was always known for being a little on the shy side, but one act and speech have taken that fear right out of me," Heimes said. "I was very nervous to talk in front of people.

"If someone told me I would have the lead role my senior year when I was in elementary, I would have told them they were crazy," he said. "It is so cool how constant hard work can create an outstanding outcome." He reflected on how the 2022 play production season has flown by.

"It was filled with lots of excitement," Heimes said. "I looked forward to prac - ticing every day because I was excited for improvements in the play.

"I am proud to say that we improved every time at practice," he said. "We won practice every day. We knew our potential as a group, and we fulfilled it at state." He explained why he thought Har - tington-Newcastle had such a success - ful one-act season.

"We put so much time and eort into this play," Heimes said. "We worked on something until we got it right. As a senior, I am very grateful for the under - classmen for continuing the legacy of Hartington-Newcastle One Act.

"This legacy would not be possi - ble without the excellent work of the coaches," he said. "There is a reason why we have won state so many times. Good coaches create good teams. Great coaches create legacies." He noted Hartington-Newcastle's performance at the state contest was the best one it had ever put on this year and arguably in his high school career.

"Our goal was to keep the crowd laughing the entire play, and we did just that," Heimes said. "We proved we were the best entertainers in Class C2.

"I am very proud to be a part of this team," he said.