The full cast and crew of this year’s Region-reaching Hays High School One Act Play, “Unexpected Tenderness,” poses for their photo during rehearsal early in the competition season. The group’s performance of “Unexpected Tenderness” touched a chord with judges in the 2011 season, sending the Dana Naughton-directed group from Zone to District to Area and, for the first time in district history for a local play, Region competition. (Photo by Jim Cullen)
by JIM CULLEN
Annual high school UIL One Act Play competition always brings out the best in local theatrical talent and this year’s offerings from Hays and Lehman high schools were no exception. Both schools drew honors at opening Zone competition, with Hays taking center stage for a heady climb up the competition ladder.
Hays High School’s One Act Play, “Unexpected Tenderness,” startled its audiences with its sobering portrayal of a dysfunctional family struggling to deal with physical and verbal abuse. It was, at points, a difficult play to watch, but there was no difficulty in recognizing the efforts of Director Dana Naughton’s award-winning cast and crew. As a result, the 2011 offering has made Hays CISD history for its run in competition.
No local high school One Act Play had ever reached the Region level of UIL competition, the final hurdle on the way to State. It’s a remarkable fact, considering the long-recognized, consistent quality of the annual efforts from both schools. But Naughton’s charges did it, with honors spread throughout the cast and crew at every level along the way. They didn’t advance to State from the San Antonio regionals, but there was plenty to celebrate.
“I could not be more proud,” Naughton said, with good cause.
Hannah Hadidi received All Star Cast honors at Region and an Honorable Mention All Star Cast slot went to Sarah Martin, with crew member Madeline Harsch drawing Best Technician honors. At the earlier Area level, held in Bastrop, Ava L’Amoreaux was honored with All Star Cast, Luke Leamons and Robert Riley received Honorable Mention All Star Cast, Mercedes Salazar was named Best Technician, and the full crew of Salazar, Colby Padgett, Abraham Hernandez, Emily Knight Hunter, and Madeline Harsch were tabbed Best Tech Crew.
Complementing those honors were earlier awards at both District and initial Zone competition. At District, Ava L’Amoreaux claimed Best Actress honors, Luke Leamons and Robert Riley landed All Star Cast, and Zackary Garcia and Sarah Martin were Honorable Mention All Star Cast. Leamons had earlier taken Best Actor honors at Zone, L’Amoreaux and Riley were on the All Star Cast, and Garcia and Martin were Honorable Mention All Star Cast.
Director Naughton called her cast and crew’s Region performance “without a doubt, the best performance we had,” leaving no regrets about the final competition performance.
Director Marissa Meek’s Lobo cast and crew performed “The Miss Firecracker Contest” this season and, though the play did not advance, the effort drew outstanding performance awards for five of the cast’s six members. The play portrays a young woman hoping that winning a local beauty contest will enhance her reputation and make her a “somebody.” Supporting characters along the way help her realize the benefit in defining and accepting herself.
Joshua Banbury and Kelsey Grimes were named All Star Cast members and the threesome of Jerian Delano, Angela Riley, and Charlotte Ruyle were named Honorable Mention All Star Cast. Allison Wimberly received All Star Crew honors to top off the awards showing.
Marissa Meek praised her entire cast and crew, with a perspective she voiced early in the season following awards at pre-UIL competition. “Every performer on stage takes equal credit for the outstanding performances of others because their extra recognition would not be possible without the excellence of the others on stage with them,” she said, offering congratulations to the cast, crew, and alternates “who contributed to our success.”
