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LAUREL – Abby Tasler hopes last week’s first place showing at conference one-act play production sets the stage for more accolades to come.
“I knew our play was good this year but it was very rewarding to have that belief backed up by judges,” the senior student said of the Nov. 14 performance at Homer.
One-Act Director Sarah Beckwith said she was happy to finish so well against some tough, talented competition, with judges complimentary of the characters and their physicality in the production of “A Puckish Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Ten student actors were recognized at conference including Emma Sohler and Kolten Settje who received Overall Best Actress and Best Actor awards. Others outstanding awards include Sam Cross, Gabbie Kock, Aric Hall, Jackson Hall, Lilly Pehrson, Abby Tasler, Landen Leonard and Laney Folkers.
The play is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” written by Beckwith and Erica Mogensen.
Tasler said there are several plot lines to follow including a love triangle, a play within a play and a fairy queen that falls in love with a donkey. She plays Hermia, part of the love triangle plot.
Tasler explains it like this: Hermia’s father wants her to marry Demetrius. But Hermia is in love with Lysander. Lysander and Hermia run away into the woods where Puck casts a spell on Lysander that causes him to fall in love with Hermia’s best friend, Helena. Demetrius and Helena follow Hermia and Lysander into the woods where Puck also casts the love spell on Demetrius, which causes him to also fall in love with Helena. Confusion and conflict abounds.
“My favorite part about my role is how expressive Hermia is,” Tasler said. “Hermia gets upset really easily so I get to really let loose and yell a lot which is a lot of fun.”
District competition will take place Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Stanton. “Headed into districts we are going to continue to work on our timing and characterization,” Tasler said. “Punching our ticket to state would be such a rewarding experience but whatever happens at districts, I’ll be thankful that we had such a great One Act year. I’ll be forever grateful to the coaches and team for making this year such an enjoyable one.”
One Act Champs
The Laurel-Concord-Coleridge One Act cast and crew recently gave two performances for the public, family, friends and students at the Laurel Community Center. (above) Landen Leonard, as Lysander; Abby Tasler, as Hermia; and Jackson Hall, as Demetrius, performed recently at the Laurel Community Center. (left) Kolten Settje and Holly Patefield took on the roles of Nick Bottom and Titania. The play, ‘A Puckish Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ a One-Act Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ was filled with humor and laughter.
