Three girls sit in chairs across the stage. There’s nothing else. Just them, the lights and the stories they tell of being trafficked.
“The moment when the light shined on me was a moment I will never forget,” said senior Alivia Wapskineh.
She is part of the cast and crew from McLoud High School, which is not only heading to the OSSAA 5A One-Act State competition later this month but was named Regional champs on Oct. 15. Wapskineh, Felicity Hamilton, and Trinity Reyes were also named Regional All-Star Cast.
The group performed “Live to Tell,” a one-act that dives into human trafficking.
“This is a subject matter that sits in the back of people’s minds and isn’t talked about. We brought it to light,” said Wapskineh, who plays Makayla. “Some people can relate, but they do not know how to bring it up. Some people can’t relate, but know people that do. Some people are totally unaware of this subject. We want everyone to know that it can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.”
Drama teacher Shonda Vandivort said the students chose the play because it was a topic that hit close to home in McLoud. Hannah Wells, who is on the stage crew, said it resonated with judges and the audience because it tackled a real issue that many can relate to, even her own family.
“My aunt almost went through a similar situation, and knowing that made the story even more impactful for me,” she said.
“I believe that authenticity and emotion in our performances helped the audience connect with the characters and their struggles.”
Wells praised her co-stars for making the All-Star Cast. She said she is proud of them for the work they’ve put into the play and that they truly deserve it for their incredible performances.
She feels like they’ve all contributed to the overall success, and she’s grateful to have been part of such a talented group. However, the big moment for her was the short time she spent on the stage.
“Walking on stage as the nurse, I could feel the emotions of the characters and the audience. It was a powerful experience, and I felt connected to the message we were sharing,” she said.
McLoud performs in the OSSAA 5A One-Act State competition on Oct. 31.
North Rock Creek High School also competed in OSSAA 5A One-Act Regionals on Oct. 15, though in a different location. While two out of the three judges wanted to advance them to State, it wasn’t quite enough said Drama Director Brandy Bonds. She added that their set took a long time to construct and although they made the time, the judges wanted something that took less.
“These are things that will fix themselves when we eventually have a performing arts center,” she said. “This is the main reason we compete; they need to see what an actual space looks and feels like. Some of these kids will be doing this in college and I want them prepared.”
Bond said she was super proud of the two students who made All-Star Cast Bowie Gibson and Cooper Lincoln.
With One-Acts out of the way, the drama class is focusing on their upcoming dinner theater production on February 22 in the Cougar Cafe. It’s a sci-fi suspense play called “Trap.”