Evan Howell and Alli Somes rehearse. The two worked multiple scenes from the play.

One Act Play Cast List Posted and Rehearsals Begin

Carter Colvin, Photo Editor

January 22, 2019

The One Act Play (OAP) cast list for the play Mariner was posted January 7, and rehearsals began the same week. The first competitive performance for the OAP district competition will take place on March 5.

“We’re going to have a great time,” theatre director Taylor Jarman said. “The students are all hardworking, and they all have a good cohesive spirit. I am excited to see what they do together over the next few weeks.”

Mariner is a production about Christopher Columbus who is being put on trial in purgatory for his actions during his life. He is under the judgement of the Spanish Grand Inquisitor, Torquemada, who looks back on Columbus’s life to bring his fate to a final consensus.

“This is my favorite part of the year,” senior Kayleigh Melvin said. “I like competing and having a healthy competition, but I also enjoy forming a bond with people in the cast.”

OAP is different from fall shows the department puts on because it is a UIL sponsored, state-regulated competition which showcases performances from the district, bi-district, area, regional and state levels. While the cast and crew are allotted more freedom regarding time constraints during fall shows, all schools must set up and tear down their set pieces within seven minutes with a maximum of 40 minutes to perform the show at competition.

“This show is refreshing and exciting because of how new it is to me,” junior Emma Cook said. “The set is interesting to look at, and it’s going to be an awesome experience.”

This show is specifically unique from any other OAP production done in the past including the state qualifying performance of Anna Karenina last year. Each person cast into one of the 15 roles must portray up to three different characters throughout the show, and the play itself is a ‘Dramedy’, meaning it has equally strong dramatic and comedic elements.

“It’s good to show the depth that we have in the program which challenges the underclassmen to continue to grow in their art-form of acting,” Jarman said. “For the seniors, it is to display their developed skills that they have grown over these past couple years.”

Cast List:

Columbus: Evan Howell

Torquemada: Elvis Farmer

Moniz, Bobadilla, Pinzon: Chase Welvaert

Rodrigo, Headless Man, Jester: Carter Colvin

Beggar, Dr. Slawkenbergius: Tiago Wittenburg

Ancient Mariner, 1st Vivaldi, Emperor of China: Sam Payne

Dirty Carlos, Prince John, Prosecuter: Alex Gaba

King Ferdinand, 2nd Vivaldi: To be Determined

Princess Juana: Kayleigh Melvin

Lucinda, Desdemona, 3rd Native, 3rd Chinese: Cameron Hilliard

Mamma, Pig Woman, Queen Isabella: Maddie Mezzell