EMILY KALKA
When thinking of a theater competition, most are concerned about entering the stage at the right time and remembering lines. Not fire alarms and getting sick.
The drama club from Chandler High School had to contend with that all and more when they competed at the OSSAA 4A State One-Act competition on Oct. 26.
“The fire alarm went off and it was like out of a scifi horror movie or something,” said senior Emerson Snovel. “And then you walk out, there’s everyone in their drama costumes and it’s like Halloween party.”
Senior Anna Phillips, along with other cast members, joked that it was the fault of junior Zalen Robinson.
“I may or may not have said the play that we’re not supposed to name, and then we had to evacuate again. So, it might have been partially my fault,” Robinson said, referring to the old stage myth surrounding Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
The club performed “Anna and August,” a romantic comedy that follows the eponymous characters from grade school through high school. Snovel played the lead role of Anna, while junior Ian Radcliffe played August. Phillips played Anna’s best friend, Holly, with Robinson acting as Anna’s father.
While they didn’t place at state, the group did place third at regionals, with three actors making the All-Star Cast - Radcliffe, Phillips and Snovel.
Chandler was among 18 4A schools that competed at regionals in three divisions, according to drama teacher Inda Jo Conway. From there, the top three were chosen from each division to compete at state for a total of nine schools. For All-Star Cast, the top 10 actors from that day’s competition were selected. Junior Nathanial Nunn, who played August’s brother, Jake, was number 12, so just barely missed out.
“It’s a learning experience for next year,” Nunn said. “Take your losses and use them to better yourself.”
The play was a departure from the club’s normal choice, said Conway.
“We normally don’t do comedies and definitely don’t do romantic comedies,” she said.
The entire class had a say in which one-act they performed this year.
“We joke around and say it’s a dictatorship by Mrs. Conway, but she definitely listens to us on what we want,” Radcliffe said. He added that they chose “Anna and August” because it had everyone laughing the first time they read through the script.
“Also, when we were reading it, we could see who could play everyone,” Phillips said. State wasn’t without its challenges and interesting incidents. Outside of the fire alarm going off, Phillips was ill and the entire cast was prepared for that backstage.
“I was told if the worse comes to worse, just stay in character and clean it up,” she said.
They also contended with technology that didn’t always want to work, though it wasn’t always noticeable to the audience. On top of that, many of the students are also involved in other clubs and sports, said Conway.
“They’re also on the upper scale when it comes to their grade point average, and trying to balance that is difficult, but they seem to do it,” she said.
“It’s because we have a great director who says if you’re ever behind and you need time, we can take time in class to get caught up on work,” added Nunn.