Chandler High School drama department took to the stage last weekend at the Oklahoma State Thespians One-Act Festival, walking away with a gaggle of awards.
The high school won first overall and Chapter Select, Best Director, Audience Favorite, Best Makeup and Costume Design, and All-Star Cast Awards for Bethany Descher, Weston Miller and James Kerr.
“We competed against 5A and 6A schools, which have a larger talent pool and more resources at their disposal. Not only did the judges choose our production, but our peers did as well. We don’t create art for praise, but it is nice to have your hard work acknowledged,” Conway said.
She added that half the students walked in from a marching band competition, got straight into makeup, performed, received critiques, and then headed straight back to the band competition.
Chandler performed “In Darkness, Audio Flowers Bloom” by Alvaro Saar Rios, an unpublished work that has yet to be performed in Oklahoma, Conway said. The one-act is set in a dystopian future where the government has banned music. It revolves around a group of teens who meet in secret to learn all they can about music, with themes of resilience, bravery, and the human drive for self-expression.
The festival took place at Southmoore High School in Moore with six schools competing. The competition differs from OSSAA Regionals and State in that there are no class divisions, Conway said.
Schools can compete for a 1 or 2, similar to choir and band OSSAA competitions. They can also compete for Chapter Select, which means they will represent Oklahoma at the international festival this summer. As Chandler won Chapter Select, they will perform at the International Thespian Festival from June 21 through June 26 at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Last year, Chandler only competed in the first category and won the Audience Favorite award.
This year, they decided to go all in, Conway said.
Competing in the second category comes with strict requirements. All schools are required to use the same set pieces, giving larger schools and smaller schools a level playing field, Conway said. It was challenging to select a oneact that utilized the minimalist set and props, which would also work for OSSAA One-Act regionals and state.
Chandler will next perform on Oct. 11 at Regionals at Lincoln-Christian High School, even though they had a hiccup with casting and scheduling conflicts.
“The cast, crew, and I discussed whether or not to continue now that we have had to recast one of the larger roles. Ultimately, we have chosen the motto ‘The show must go on!’,” Conway said.