February 8, 2008

Contact: Chris Franson or Ellen Giloy / MSHSL

ATTENTION: NEWS AND/OR ARTS EDITORS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

State One Act Play Festival Results:

Three Class AA plays receive top rating

A panel of judges, after watching, listening, and then individually critiquing eight Class AA dramatic productions, rated three of them “starred performances” on Friday, February 8, during the 2008 State One Act Play Festival sponsored by the Minnesota State High School League. The two-day festival was conducted at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the College of St. Catherine campus in St. Paul.

The top eight Class AA productions from across the state took the stage throughout the day. The three schools whose performances were cited for “starred performances” were (in order of performance): Dassel-Cokato for The Romancers, Minnetonka for Marvin’s Room, and Eagan for Doubt: A Parable. The other participating schools were North of North St. Paul, Anoka, Forest Lake, Albert Lea, and Moorhead.

Representing Section 2, Dassel Cokato’s “starred performance” of The Romancers by Edmond Rostand was directed by Dave Metcalf. The school was making its second appearance at state and earned its second “starred” rating. Dreamy young lovers Percinet and Sylvette must keep their love a secret from their fathers, who are fierce rivals. Will a scheme featuring Straforel (whose main occupation is taking money from others) and a quartet of bumbling bandits save the day? Cast members were Taylor Mankenberg, Sam Kampa, Zachery Hendrickson, Ben Rostomily, James Frickstad, Nat Davis, AJ Imberg, Ty Marschall, Beth Keskey, Kari Servin, Noah Gosswilller, Kathryn Niemela, and Sam Rydberg. Support personnel were Kevin Schiroo, Stephen Hansen, and Lars Torgerson. Dassel-Cokato earned its only other previous “starred” rating in 1994.

Representing Section 6, Minnetonka’s “starred performance” of Marvin’s room by Scott McPherson was directed by R. Kent Knutson. Minnetonka was making its fourth appearance and earned its fourth “starred” rating. In this piece, McPherson looks at the irrepressible nature of the human spirit in the face of death. The play is a reminder and stunning recognition of how, no matter what, life must go on. Cast members were Nate Irvin, Lauren Bartelt, Zachary Keenan, Alissa Berdahl, Eric Noonan, Samantha Geyen, Alison McCartan, Ryan McCartan, and Geoff LeCrone. Support personnel were Laura Grossman, Devan Barlow, Joe Holdman, Phil Holt, Jenny Kerber, Emma Field, Josh Swanson, and Griffin Dooling. Minnetonka earned previous top ratings in 1969, 2003, and 2006.

Representing Section 3, Eagan’s “starred performance” of Doubt by John Patrick Shanley was directed by Nancy Owzarek. This play explores what happens when Sister Aloysius, the stern principal of St. Nicholas Catholic School in the Bronx, has suspicions that the new young priest, Father Flynn, is having inappropriate relations with the only black boy in the school. Doubt won the Pulitzer Prize for Dramatic Literature and the Tony Award for Best Play in 2005. Cast members were Nate Berkopec, Meghan Kreidler, Honey Ribar, and Caroline Snowden. Support personnel were Kathleen Dempsey, Jillian Christenson, Elizabeth Olsen, Megan Schmeisser, Margaret Ringberg, Amanda Chapman, Caitlin Downes, Katrina Haukom, and Lauren Alvarez. The school was making its 15th appearance and earned its 14th “starred” rating. Eagan earned previous “starred” ratings in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

The Minnesota State High School League State One Act Play Festival does not involve direct competition. Judges rate the plays according to specific criteria, including pace, blocking, costuming, and projection of the play’s meaning. Each production is limited to 10 minutes of stage preparation and 35 minutes of actual performance.

The judges consult after each production and then openly critique each in front of the cast, crew, and audience. “Starred performance” ratings are determined by private balloting of the judges. One school from each of eight sections in each class gets to perform at the state level. Two hundred and ninety-six teams participated in One Act Play this season, 208 in Class A and 88 in Class AA.

Each cast and crew member involved with these three “starred performance” productions was also presented a Spotlight on the Arts Award of Excellence recognition pin. This is a fine arts recognition award created by Wells Fargo, the League’s premier sponsor, in cooperation with the League. The casts and crews were also awarded a handsome acrylic trophy incorporating the Spotlight on the Arts logo.

Two of eight Class A troupes earned “starred performances” on Thursday, February 7. (See the Class A Results news release for details).

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