2020 Wisconsin High School Virtual Theatre Festival

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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Milwaukee

Steve Marcus VICE PRESIDENT Matt Thiele DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Greg Widener ART DIRECTOR Sarah Sallmann VENUE RELATIONS/EDITOR Ryan Albrechtson COMPANY COMPTROLLER Karin Marcus ADVERTISING SALES // ILLINOIS Will M. McAuliffe ADVERTISING SALES // WISCONSIN Barbara Kluth ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Allyson Imig PRESIDENT + PUBLISHER

The arts need a voice. There needs to be a place to go to find out what, when, where, and why. Enter stage right….ArtsScene."

-STEVE MARCUS, PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER

The ALL NEW ArtsScene Magazine by Footlights launches January 2021. Be the FIRST to access exclusive visual and performing arts content, event information, artist profiles, and more!

Learn more and subscribe today at footlights.com/artsscene

CHICAGO // MADISON // MILWAUKEE Milwaukee: 262.782.9751 | Chicago 773.938.6681 | Madison: 608.257.4560

www.footlights.com | www.marcuspromotions.com

Footlights is published by Marcus Promotions, Inc. The content of any article in this publication is based solely on the opinion of its writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Marcus Promotions, Inc., Footlights, or its staff. The center program content is at the sole discretion of the performing arts group. Any errors, omissions, or inconsistencies are their responsibility. Inquiries or comments should be directed accordingly.

Teachers/Directors: Connect for networking in the virtual AWTE Lounge.

Join AWTE for webinars and access to recordings of past webinars and conference sessions.

Your best practice network.

Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education

Watch awte.net for plans regarding our 2021 conference, and to join our professional organization!

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

2020

WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE VIRTUAL FESTIVAL

Produced by the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association, Alliance for Wisconsin Theatre Education, and Wisconsin Thespians.

Social:

#whstf

@whsfa

| Online Platform: fest.whsfa.org

Web: www.WisconsinTheatreFest.org

Contact: office@whsfa.org • (920) 710-1895 Registration/questions: Schools may check-in the virtual registration/info room.

Workshops are scheduled Friday evening and throughout the day Saturday; please see descriptions in this program. Some are scheduled more than once. If a class is full when you arrive, please select another workshop during that time block.

Directors/teachers are invited to the Hospitality virtual room.

Please exhibit proper respect and conduct in live virtual rooms, including usage of any chat or interactive features. Recording of any kind – video, audio, or photographic – is strictly prohibited at all times without prior permission of the festival director.

Harassment & Discrimination Policy The Wisconsin High School Forensic Association is committed to fostering safe and supportive learning environments for all student participants and adults at our interscholastic events. This requires mutual respect on the part of all people present. Accordingly, WHSFA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination by and to any person, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law. Individuals found to have violated this policy will be subject to a full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the festival premises.

Complaints/Equity Officer If you have a concern about how people are treating you that you want to make known to the WHSFA and, if appropriate, legal authorities, or you have witnessed behavior inconsistent with the Harassment and Discrimination Policy, please report to the festival registration/information table in the Mainstage lobby, and request to meet with an equity officer. You will be asked to complete a form sharing your information and describing the violation. You will then discuss the grievance informally and on a verbal basis with an equity officer, who shall in turn, investigate the complaint.

Whenever possible, connect with an equity officer in person first.

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE

Venue Room:

Presented by Festival Foods

Presented by Northern Michigan University

One Act 1

One Act 2

One Act 3

Oral Response Oral Response 1 Oral Response 2 Oral Response 3 Room: 1:30pm-2:15pm “Registration” FAQ Session (Festival Office Room) 2:15pm-3:00pm 3:15pm-4:00pm Marshfield (Failing)

Oconto Falls

Waukesha North

4:00pm-4:45pm Platteville (Family)

Coleman

Holmen

5:00pm-5:45pm Marshfield (Isolation)

Wrightstown (Because)

Waukesha South

5:45pm-6:30pm

Tomahawk

Regis (Princess)

6:45pm-7:30pm Mukwonago

Wrightstown (Subject)

Waukesha West

7:30pm-8:15pm Marshfield (Shady)

Hamilton

Regis (Girard)

8:30pm-9:15pm Northland Pines Rufus King 9:15pm-10:00pm Menomonie

Northwestern

Algoma

Oral responses are scheduled to begin at the end time listed for each time slot (e.g., a play starting at 3:15pm would have its oral response at 4:00pm

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

find your stage at Carthage College.

Carthage College is the perfect place for you to embrace, enhance, and develop your talents. Whether you prefer to perform under the footlights or to stretch your creative muscles “behind the scenes,” our award-winning theatre program can teach you the skills you need to reach your full potential!

14 National Honors from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival since 2015

FEBRUARY 2021 AUDITION DATES Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27

carthage.edu/theatre General Theatre • Theatre Performance • Theatre Education (k-12) • Costume Design • Scenic Design • Stage Management • Music Theatre Emphasis • Directing Emphasis • Dance Minor • Theatre Minor

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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FRIDAY SCHEDULE Presented by Festival Foods

Presented by Northern Michigan University

Venue Room:

One Act 1

One Act 2

Oral Response Room:

Oral Response 1

Oral Response 2

Presented by Protolight Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Workshop 3

1:30pm-2:15pm “Registration” FAQ Session (Festival Office Room) 2:15pm- 3:00pm

3pm: AWTE Lounge Opens (Room: AWTE Lounge)

3:15pm- 4:00pm Bay Port

Movement for Actors (Kraker)

4:00pm- 4:45pm Kenosha Bradford

Ellsworth

5:00pm-5:45pm Hortonville (Courage)

DeForest

5:45pm- 6:30pm Waterford

Oak Creek

6:45pm- 7:30pm Hortonville (Hope)

Wauwatosa East (Eteocles)

7:30pm- 8:15pm Burlington

Greenfield

8:30pm-9:15pm Lake Geneva Badger

Wauwatosa East (Polynices)

Workshop 4

Applied Theatre Connection (Janes)

Self Tape Success (Plummer)

Creating Social Justice Theatre (Mosser)

Audition Cuts 101 (Wussow/Hanson)

10 Minutes to Warm-Up?!

(Fech/Hill)

Breathe Life Into Your Texts (Weedman)

Let’s Audition!

(Thomas)

Lyric Maps (Wussow)

Shakespearean Monologue Training (Simonson)

[T] Calling the Show (Olsen)

9:15pm-10:00pm Workshop Key: [A] = Adults/Teachers; [T] = Technical Theatre focus; [P] = prerecorded

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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SATURDAY SCHEDULE Presented by Festival Foods

Presented by Northern Michigan University

Venue Room:

One Act 1

One Act 2

Oral Response Room:

Oral Response 1

Oral Response 2

Presented by Protolight Workshop 1

Workshop 2

Workshop 3

7:30am- 8:00am “Registration” FAQ Session (Festival Office Room)

8am: AWTE Lounge Opens (Room: AWTE Lounge)

8:00am- 8:45am Augusta

Ace Your College Callback (Thomas)

8:45am-9:30am Manitowoc Lincoln

9:45am-10:30am Platteville (Don’t/Talk)

Crandon Greenwood

Luxemburg-Casco

10:30am-11:15am Drummond

Riverdale

11:30am-12:15pm Kettle Moraine (World)

Pulaski

12:15pm- 1:00pm Appleton North

Gibraltar

Fitzmaurice Voicework and the Foundation of Breath (Weedman)

[A] Embracing Diversity in Theatre (Thomas) Working a Shakespeare Monologue (Tasse/Watson)

Flying Scots (Williams)

1:00pm-1:30pm Exhibit Exclusive Time

Exhibit Exclusive Time

1:30pm-2:15pm Kettle Moraine (Crime) Waunakee (Leaf)

Physical Theatre for the Smallest Screen (Mosser)

2:15pm- 3:00pm Homestead

Golda Meir

3:15pm- 4:00pm Hudson

Waunakee (Earnest) [T] Calling the Show (Olsen) Brookwood

4:00pm- 4:45pm Middleton 5:00pm-5:45pm Wis. Rapids (Connection)

Waunakee (Dreams)

5:45pm- 6:30pm Wauwatosa West (A)

Madison East

6:45pm- 7:30pm Wis. Rapids (Last UFO) Barneveld (Midnight) 7:30pm- 8:15pm Wauwatosa West (B)

Whitefish Bay

8:30pm-9:15pm Wis. Rapids (Parakeets)

Barneveld (Margo)

Playwrights Unite (Thomas)

Workshop 4

Workshop 5

Red Nose Realness (Belopavlovich)

[A] Coaching for Directors: Virtual Edition (Plummer)

[P][T] Color Theory, Design, and Human Baggagee (Hisey)

Red Nose Realness (Belopavlovich)

Breaking Down the Auditions (Plummer)

[P] How to Build Your Profile (Simonson)

Dramaturgy Intensive (ConteWilliamson)

Vocal Health for Actors & Their Teachers (Plummer)

[P][T] Qualities & Functions of Light (Hisey)

Shakespeare 10 Minutes to So You Want Monologue Made Warm-Up?!(Fech/ to Audition Fun (Williams) Hill) for College?

(Plummer)

[P] Intro to Theatre Dance Skills & Styles (Weiss McQuide)

Michael Chekhov: Creating Character & Behavior (Bray)

Branding 101: How YOU Tell Your Story (Plummer)

[P] Shakespeare 101 (Simonson)

Why Does the Accompanist Hate Me? (Wussow)

Theatre of the Oppressed Augusto Boal (Janes)

[P] Website Building (Simonson)

Make Your Audition Land (Weedman)

9:15pm-10:00pm 10

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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EXHIBITORS Visit exhibitors Friday, 2:30-6:45pm; Saturday, 8am-2pm

POST-SECONDARY THEATRE PROGRAMS Marquette University Millikin University Nebraska Wesleyan University Northern Michigan University Southeast Missouri State University

Southern Illinois University University of Minnesota-Duluth University of Northern Iowa University of Wisconsin - La Crosse University of Wisconsin - Platteville

THEATRE PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Footlights-Marcus Promotions prints playbills/other marketing materials (posters, shirts, banners, yard signs, etc.), including for high schools.

Milwaukee Repertory Theatre: Education Dept. is launching the free National August Wilson Monologue Competition for high school students; workshops are available throughout the city. Collaborate with like-minded teens from the Milwaukee area in the Rep’s Teen Council leadership program.

Protolight: Theatrical lighting, audio, video, drapery, atmospherics, systems, and other supplies.

FESTIVAL STAFF Please see the listing at www.WisconsinTheatreFest.org

Upgrading your space?

Purchasing equipment?

LIGHTING

Meet your complete theatre technology source.

AUDIO

VIDEO

ATMOSPHERICS

WORKSHOP sales@protolight.com 12

847.859.5000 www.protolight.com

2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

EXPENDABLES

SPONSOR

STRONG

CHARACTER CHOICES UW-WHITEWATER DEPARTMENT OF

THEATRE/DANCE MAJORS

Bachelor of Fine Art: Performance • Design/Technology • Stage Management Bachelor of Art - Theatre Bachelor of Science in Education - Theatre

MINORS

Theatre • Dance

EMPLOYED GRADUATES

NATIONWIDE visit us online at

uww.edu/theatre-dance 2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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WORKSHOPS Key: All workshops open to students, unless noted with § (for teachers/directors only). Teachers/directors may attend any workshop.

10 Minutes to Warm-Up?! Parke Fech.

Professor Jeannie Hill and Lecturer Parke Fech will lead students and teachers through physical, vocal, and concentration activities based on Chairman Mao’s exercises, Suzuki, and Linklater. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Ace Your College Callback. Kristy Thomas.

This workshop is specifically for high school seniors serious about auditioning for theatre schools in the future. The goal is to give students information on how to make themselves stand out and ace their college audition callback. This is for SENIORS only. Bring a notebook and something to write with to process information for later reflection.

Applied Theatre Connection. Ralph Janes.

A workshop utilizing theatre as a vehicle to aid students in transitioning to a socially distanced world and the physical and emotional isolation that can hinder learning and wellbeing. This workshop would delve deeper into applied drama concepts in order to connect students and others together in a time that is unsure, isolating, and predominantly virtual. It would allow young people to build those human connections (and even expand empathy as theatre so often does). Participants should have some idea of applied theatre, maybe Boals’s work, but not required for participation.

Audition Cuts 101. Sarah Wussow and Mark Hanson.

What makes a solid audition cut? Is there really a “do not sing” list?

Discover tips and tricks to selecting repertoire and finding the ‘best’ cut of your musical theatre song. From bell-tone to belting the final note, we will help you navigate the world of audition cuts! Participants should bring in one to two songs with recorded accompaniments they would consider singing for an audition.

We will talk them through why/why not these songs are good choices and discuss how to cut them for a 16 or 32 bar audition.

Branding 101: How YOU Tell Your Story. Nate Plummer.

One word has taken over the theatre industry: BRANDING. This workshop talks about what branding is, why it’s important to theatre artists, different parts of branding (colors, fonts, filters, words, etc), where to use branding and how theatre artists can use it to promote their productions AND their careers. This workshop will give very simple and yet effective tips to help you create a brand that tells the story you want your audience to hear.

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WORKSHOPS cont.

Breaking Down the Auditions. Nate Plummer.

This workshop is all about how auditioning actually works. We’ll talk about auditioning terms, best practices, tips & tricks, and we’ll talk about the different types of auditions that an actor will encounter (Unifieds, EPAs, ECCs, Self Tapes, etc.) Finally, we’ll talk about what the actual process of casting is like so you can understand what the people behind the table ACTUALLY need from you when you’re in the room.

Breathe Life Into Your Text! Matthew Weedman.

This workshop examines methods to work with classical theatre and text. If you are interested in Shakespeare or other heightened language plays and texts, this experience will focus on ways to make that work immediate, relevant and urgent. If a student has worked on a Shakespeare or “classical” text it would be helpful to bring that but not necessary.

Calling the Show. Gary Olsen.

How does a Stage Manager call all of the technical cues for a production? This workshop examines how to notate the stage manager’s script and verbalize the calls to effectively execute a production. Participants should write notes to facilitate a discussion. [§] Coaching for Directors: Virtual Edition.

Nate Plummer. Crafting honest and genuine performances from actors can be challenging for many directors. Using effective acting coaching techniques can be a powerful tool to help unlock parts of characters actors didn’t even know were there. This workshop is geared at giving directors more techniques and resources, particularly in the virtual space.

Color Theory, Design, and Human Baggage. Erin Hisey.

Learn about color theory, how it affects design, and how an audience’s personal experiences color their perceptions of your work. Learn how color works and how to talk about it.

Learn how your use of color affects the work of designers.

Creating Social Justice Theatre. Jeffrey Mosser.

Do you have something to say about the world? The country? Your neighborhood? Your school? With hands on activities from Augusto Boal, The Civilians (NYC), and the Center for Performance and Civic Practice, students will generate the beginning of a Social Justice piece to activate how they can actively become change agents through theatre.

Dramaturgy Intensive. Fabrice Conte-Williamson.

Participants will explore the role of the dramaturg and their unique contributions to the creative process in the context of a theatrical production. This workshop is designed as a seminar with discussions and sharing of text analysis, communication, and research tools. By the end of the session, participants will have gained a deeper understanding of the dramaturg as a close collaborator to the director, cast, and design team.

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

Your Next Adventure in

THEATRE & DANCE Regional Scholarship Auditions for the 2021-22 academic year

Performance Auditions and Technical Interviews For dates, locations and times, visit: nmu.edu/theatreanddance/ program-and-scholarship-auditionsinterviews.

BFA Musical Theatre BFA Tech & Design BA Theatre BA Dance

For more information: Contact wdigneit@nmu.edu or nmutd@nmu.edu 2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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WORKSHOPS cont. [§] Embracing Diversity in Theatre. Kristy Thomas.

I believe that no matter where you teach, addressing the importance of diversity is important in all things we do. Diversity is never to be ignored and as theatre teachers we have an avenue to share in the great presence of diverse voices within our classes as we assist students to get more familiar with all kinds of culturally inclusive text. Please bring an open mind to learning a different way of looking at what theatre has the power to do for our students.

Fitzmaurice Voicework and the Foundation of Breath. Matthew Weedman.

Learn the basics of Fitzmaurice Voicework and how to apply breath, voice and presence to text to make your voice heard.

Student will learn a powerful warmup, techniques to quickly build character and safely use your voice for a long career as a performer. Participants will need space to move and stretch.

Flying Scots. Bart Williams.

A quick and fun Workshop using a little IPA and Oral posture to create the basics of a Scottish dialect for stage and screen. Participants need to have a little space to be physical and loud to bring their dialect to life. Participants should have some space in which to move around their camera-recording device and be able to create some noise.

How To Build Your Profile. Lyric Simonson.

For actors and directors. This workshop will teach the basics of what makes a resume stand out, how to build a special skills resume, and how to build a portfolio. Also, see examples of websites and digital portfolios. Know when and how to use your materials and the steps to make yours look amazing. Please have something to write with.

Introduction to Theatre Dance Skills and Styles. Nancy Weiss McQuide.

This fast-paced skill-building session will help participants feel prepared for musical theater auditions and performances.

Basics of jazz, tap, contemporary and hip hop will be presented and taught. No previous dance experience required, just a desire to learn some basics. Gain skills and confidence to face that next audition and enjoy a great workout as well!

Introduction to Theatre of the Oppressed/Augusto Boal. Ralph Janes.

An introductory workshop to Augusto Boal’s work with Theatre of the Oppressed, what forms it can take, how it functions, and the importance it carries in facilitating conversation and empowering the oppressed. This workshop would include activities and games commonly used by Boal to better our communities and our world today. Please bring your sense of curiosity.

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WORKSHOPS cont.

Let’s Audition! Kristy Thomas.

Students will be able to perform a short monologue, no longer than one minute and get life feedback from myself as an acting coach. A good skill to have as an actor is the ability to take a note, adjust on the spot and reconnect to the performance. The goal is for students to be able to perform AND to also be able to listen to notes being given to other actors. Have a memorized monologue prepared and timed to NO MORE than 1 minute.

Lyric Maps. Sarah Wussow.

What is a lyric map? How do I make one? Why do I need one? We will discuss why lyric mapping is important when working on repertoire, whether it’s for a solo performance or for a show. Participants will learn a step-by-step process of how to break down the lyrics of a song, find moments of discovery, and build a foundation for character development. To be an active participant, all you need is the sheet music to a musical theatre song, preferably a song you are familiar with. Pencils/pens and highlighters will also be helpful.

Make Your Audition Land. Matthew Weedman.

As the industry continues to use self-tapes to screen auditionees, finding a proper camera and sound setup, lighting and presenting your work in the strongest terms possible are even more essential. This workshop will focus on preparing for auditions - both the technical and artistic elements - in a way which will help actors build relationships and show themselves in the best possible light. Participants should have a short piece of text prepared - this doesn’t need to be a monologue or anything formal but can be a bit of a song, poem or anything the actor has already.

Michael Chekhov & Creating Character and Behavior. Jim Bray.

In this workshop, Professor Jim Bray will explore with students the many ways we can utilize movement to create character and support character building through Michael Chekhov’s imaginary body, qualities of movement and centers. Participants should have a few lines of a monologue that is memorized, or an entire monologue memorized.

Movement for Actors! (Readying for Performance). Mauriah Kraker.

How do we physically warm up our bodies for performance? What physical actions can we take to ready ourselves to step onto stage and share our stories fully? Drawing on Contemporary Dance and somatic practices, we will practice grounding and centering ourselves through breathe work and yoga postures. We will strengthen our receptivity to movement as well as our connection to voice/text through playful movement exercises and improvisations. Bring along a notebook + writing utensil. Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to move freely!

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WORKSHOPS cont.

Physical Theater for the Smallest Screen. Jeffrey Mosser.

How do we break through the camera lens with our performing?

This class will call upon students to explore our relationship to the camera using clowning techniques, proximity, lighting, and other household tools to create characters, stories, and surprises all from the comfort of your own home. Participants should have adequate space to move for this workshop.

Playwright’s Unite. Kristy Thomas.

This workshop is to showcase the writers in the room who often get overlooked. Want to learn how to write a monologue or scene?

The goal is for students who are creative as writers to be able to learn the basics of storytelling as a writer and get them started on their next or first properly formatted script. If students have written something they should bring it to the workshop. Participants should bring notebooks and something to write with.

Qualities and Functions of Light. Erin Hisey.

Demonstration of the qualities and functions of lighting. Learn about how designers can manipulate light for design. Held in the UW-Eau Claire Light Lab at the Pablo Center at the Confluence.

Red Nose Realness. Matthew Belopavlovich.

Let’s get real. Clowning is an excellent skill for any actor. Ditch the fear and join the fun. Participants will work through various improvisations and clown exercises with a former Ringling Bros. clown. Bring any two objects from home; examples: plastic bag, scarf, couch pillow, food storage container, etc.

Self Tape Success. Nate Plummer.

As our world continues to evolve, more and more colleges, theatre, and film companies are requesting self tapes for auditions. This is a very important skill to have for anyone looking to audition in the future. This workshop will cover how to audition on tape, what casting is looking for, self tape terminology, and will also cover various types of equipment (with various budget levels) you should have for creating a successful self tape.

Shakespeare 101. Lyric Simonson.

A brief lecture of Shakespeare, his history, and his shows. Then, a transfer into a more technical breakdown of his text and how to ‘translate’ Shakespeare, both for the actor and the audience. Please have something to write with and a pre-selected monologue from Shakespeare to dissect.

Shakespeare Monologue Made Fun. Bart Williams.

Learn the basics of the First Folio Technique and directly apply it to a verse text. Participants will use the same toolkit Shakespeare’s actors had in addition to contemporary technology to troubleshoot and bring classic text to life. Participants just need to have a little space around their recording device in which to move and be able to make a fair bit of noise.

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WORKSHOPS cont.

Shakespearean Monologue Training. Lyric Simonson.

Learn the basics of Folio work and how to apply it to Shakespearean monologues. Simple techniques that will train early career actors on how to understand and dissect Shakespeare’s language, which they can then apply to all of his works. Be prepared for some movement, no special clothing required.

So… You Want to Audition for College? Nate Plummer.

This workshop is designed for those wanting to audition for College Musical Theatre & Theatre programs. We’ll talk about different college audition terminology, how to create your list of schools, choosing repertoire, headshots & resumes, self taping auditions, Unified Auditions, and more! If you or your students are auditioning for colleges, this is one workshop you won’t want to miss.

Vocal Health for Actors & Their Teachers. Nate Plummer.

Being a performer basically means you are a Vocal Athlete. Just like in sports, vocal injuries can be a scary thing. Many singers and actors worry about the effects of these injuries on our work. This workshop will cover vocal anatomy, vocal health, and how to take care of your voice as a performer. It will also cover the typical types of vocal injuries and what to do should you suspect any vocal health issues.

Website Building. Lyric Simonson.

The most important part of a theatre artist’s image. Learn the basics to website building, how to construct your look, and what makes your website pop. Also, see examples of active theatre worker’s websites. Please have something to write with.

Working a Shakespeare Monologue. Jim Tasse & Bill Watson.

Our intent is to explore Shakespeare monologues in a virtual format.

Nothing need be memorized in advance. We have the technology!!

Why Does the Accompanist Hate Me? Sarah Wussow.

They don’t! Honest! Working with an accompanist, and how to communicate with them quickly and efficiently is a skill! Learn the “do’s” and “don’t’s” of working with accompanists. We will discuss how to mark your music, how to give tempo, and of course, what happens if things go off-track. Accompanists want you to succeed. They are your friends and allies. Active participants will need sheet music of an audition cut they are comfortable with; preferably memorized, if possible. This is not the workshop to discuss cuttings and what songs to select, it’s about the next step...communicating with the accompanist.

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

Nebraska Wesleyan University Theatre

More opportunities, beginning your first year

NWU Theatre puts you in the spotlight.

40+ shows a year

5 BFA and 2 BA degrees

theatre.nebrwesleyan.edu 402.465.2128 rkathman@nebrwesleyan.edu 2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

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WORKSHOP INSTRUCTOR BIOGRAPHIES Matthew Belopavlovich holds a BFA in Acting from UW-Milwaukee.

National Tour: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey (clown).

Regional Performance: Orlando Repertory Theatre, Walt Disney World, Broadway Dinner Theatre in the Dells, Skylight Music Theatre, American Stage. Belopavlovich serves as the Theatre Dept. Artistic Director for the Patel Conservatory @ Straz Center.

Jim Bray, Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, is a certified instructor of the Sanford Meisner approach to acting, receiving his certification in 2017. Professor Bray has been a proud member of Actors’ Equity Association since 2001 working as an actor in NYC, and with theatres around the country. He is an award-winning actor & director.

Fabrice Conte-Williamson is a director, actor, and theatre educator, teaching courses in directing and theatre history at UW-Parkside. His primary research focuses on post-modern French dramatic literature and performance theory, the role of literary myth in dramatic literature, and the development of multilingual and cross-cultural theatre movements.

Parke Fech is a Lecturer in ActingVoice and Movement Specialist at the UW-Stevens Point. He has an MFA in Actor Training and Coaching for the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and an MFA in Acting for the University of Houston’s Professional Actor Training Program.

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2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL

Erin Hisey is an Assistant Professor of Theatre at UW-Eau Claire specializing in Lighting and Scenic Design. She has her BFA in Technical Production from New York University and her MFA in Scenography from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Ralph Janes is a Theatre Artist from London, England. He is a senior lecturer at UW-Milwaukee and teaches Theatre History, Theatre Education and Directs. He holds a Primary Degree in Education and Theatre from Leeds, UK and and MFA in Directing from UCSD. Mauriah Donegan Kraker is a collaborative performance maker, dancer, teacher. She has taught workshops and performed throughout the US and Europe. Her background as an Olympic-level athlete infuses her classes with a joyful approach to physicality.

Find her teaching in the Dance and Theatre departments at UWMilwaukee.

Nancy Weiss McQuide is a dance teacher at UW-Milwaukee, professional actress, mime artist, choreographer, speaker, annual Summerfest performer, guest teacher at Concordia University, choreographs high school, college and community theater musicals, and other productions, and specializes in theater for children and the elderly.

BIOGRAPHIES cont.

Jeffrey Mosser, UW-Milwaukee, is a Director and Deviser who looks at all theatre through the lens of Social Justice. He has trained at the Center for Performance and Civic Practice with Michael Rohd and Rebecca Martinez and puts it to practice in Milwaukee Repertory Theater’s Engagement and Education Department. MFA Directing, Northwestern University. www.JeffreyMosser.me

Kristy Thomas is an educator, publisher, writer, and actress. She has her MFA in Acting and Directing and has taught theatre since 2005, and in 2013 began a writing and publishing business, ‘Always Writing 4U’, which works with competitive acting students all over the country.

She works with students preparing for college auditions.

Gary Olsen is a professor of lighting and sound design for UW-Stevens Point Department of Theatre and Dance. He has designed, technical directed and/or mentored over 300 productions.

Bill Watson, UWM Associate Professor of Theatre. He co-founded, with Nancy Smith-Watson and Jim Tasse, Feast of Crispian, an organization utilizing acting and Shakespeare as a therapeutic intervention for Veterans dealing with PTSD.

Nate Plummer is an internationally known audition coach & founder of Stage Door Unlocked whose clients appear on regional, national tour & Broadway stages, & National TV / Film / Commercial projects. He is a member of Society of Directors & Choreographers, Musical Theatre Educators Alliance, & The Voice Foundation.

Matthew Weedman, University of Northern Iowa, received his MFA from the School of Theatre Film and Television at the University of California, Los Angeles. He worked extensively in film and television and as an actor and director in theatres around the US. Matt is a Certified Associate Teacher of Fitzmaurice Voicework®.

Lyric Simonson is a recent graduate of UW-Parkside’s acclaimed theatre program. After traveling abroad and studying at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA), she focused her specialties to Classical works, directing, and devised theatre. She is an active director for hire in the Midwest.

Bart Williams (MPerf RCS, MFA Wayne State, MA LIPA) is a director, fight and intimacy choreographer, and performer. Based at the Dobbins Conservatory at Southeast Missouri State University, he is a former associate with the Stratford Festival of Ontario and managed the Michigan Shakespeare Festival.

Jim Tasse is an actor, director and Senior Lecturer at UW-Milwaukee.

Sarah Wussow teaches at UWStevens Point in the Theatre/Dance department. She teaches voice lessons, lab classes, and music directs productions. Sarah has a background in music education and spent nearly 10 years as a free-lance music director, working at various regional theaters across the country.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES Sorted by school, then by play title.

Help Desk, A Stay-At-Home Play by Don Zolidis; Algoma HS. Have you ever wondered what it was like to work at a help desk?

Our play showcases 7 unique skits with a variety of problems. Each scene has a very unique solution for those calling in for help.

Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw; Appleton North HS. Set in 15th-century France, Saint Joan, tells the story of a peasant girl who claimed to hear the voices of saints directing her to drive out the English. Joan’s stunning battlefield victories, charisma, and rejection of gender stereotypes begin to threaten the male-dominated political and religious powers. She was ultimately betrayed, tried for heresy, and burned at the stake. In the epilogue, set in 1920, ghosts from Joan’s past return to honor her canonization only to reject her once again.

Help Desk by Don Zolidis; Augusta HS. A series of quirky characters call the help desk in search of answers to their problems. These problems range from not being able to log into the computer network, how to get rid of a boyfriend, how to build IKEA furniture and much more. Luckily the Help Desk is operated by a series of equally quirky characters who provide just the right amount of advice to be humorously unhelpful.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow Radio Play by Christopher Cartmill; Badger HS. WLGR, a 1940’s radio station has scheduled a radio performance of Sleepy Hollow, but the actors thought it was an actual stage production. With some help from the station employees, the cast agrees to perform the radio version of the play. However, unable to give up all their live stage conventions, they employ some blocking, partial costumes and staging to create a theatrical retelling of the legend.

The Midnight Caller by Horton Foote; Barneveld HS. Our lives are changed by the relationships we miss and make, especially in the small towns we call home. The feelings and experiences of the common folk of Horton Foote’s 1958 town of Harrison, Texas, remind us that our friends, our neighbors, and our families all impact our human connections. We are left sometimes bitter, sometimes mournful, sometimes glad and forever pondering what might have been.

The New Margo by Stephen Gregg; Barneveld HS. Five friends have moved into their dorm room for the first time, days before their freshman year of college starts. But Margo is missing. Concerned about her whereabouts, Delta engages Sayre, Iris, and Danalynn to find her. In this mystery play, the audience is left guessing what happened and who did it, as the friends question whether the new Margo is an imposter or whether she really is the missing Margo.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

The Pandemic That Didn’t Define Them by Emily Hageman; Bay Port HS. A collection of monologues inspired by the hearts of young people. Each piece feels immediate and intimate as characters wrestle with the timely situations we all face. Some of the monologues are about the pandemic, some aren’t, because while our kids lived through a historical event, it’s not who they are.

The Revolutionists! by Lauren Gunderson; Bradford HS. Four beautiful women lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen (and fan of ribbons) Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle hang out, murder Marat, and try to beat back the extremist insanity in 1793 Paris. This grand and dream-tweaked comedy is about violence and legacy, art and activism, feminism and terrorism, compatriots and chosen sisters.

Women and War: A One Act Play by Jack Hilton Cunningham; Brookwood HS. Through a collection of letters and monologues this play examines the roles women played in war during the twentieth century.

Mill Girls by Eliza Anderson; Burlington HS. Octavia, Hannah, and other girls from dissimilar backgrounds are thrust into the American industrial revolution of the 1840s when they take on jobs in a New England mill.

Hannah earns money to send her brother to Harvard, while Octavia saves for her own tuition. As Irish immigration provides a wave of cheap labor to the mills, wage cuts and miserable working conditions become the norm -- but the mill girls are determined to gain reasonable pay and conditions.

Point of View by David Campton; Coleman HS. An elderly Aunt lives above a hair salon and spends her days looking out a window and gathering information to manipulate people.

Left to Our Own Devices by Marcus Kobler; Crandon HS. Are we really better off with the technology we have today? Does this technology make us more connected? Let’s find out! From a college freshman calling home, ordering in a drive-thru lane, speed dating, a 911 dispatch center, falling in love— you’ll be amazed at the actual disconnect caused by our electronic devices. As a listener, you can probably even put yourself in at least one of these situations and see what it is like to be left to our own devices.

Almost, Maine by John Cariani; DeForest HS. Almost, Maine is a play comprising nine short plays that explore love and loss in a remote, mythical almost-town called Almost, Maine. It premiered at the Portland Stage Company in Portland, Maine in 2004 where it broke box office records and garnered critical acclaim.

Cariani later adapted the play into a book of the same name.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

An Experiment by Brent Holland; Drummond HS. The experiment begins with five characters waking up in an unfamiliar environment and quickly realizing they are in what might only be described as a nightmare. Each person has woken up with an emotional attribute written on their shirts: courageous, impulsive, devious, compassionate, and orderly. Their goal is to stay in the experiment while researchers want to know if their true colors will come out during extreme duress.

Bad Auditions by Bad Actors by Ian McWethy; Ellsworth HS. A casting director is faced with the task of casting this year’s production of Romeo and Juliet. However, when the actors start auditioning, this is proven to be no easy task. Will she ever find her two leads?

Loose Parts by Adela Tesnow and Lilliana Sweeney; Gibraltar HS. This original script is a series of both comedic and heartwrenching vignettes about coping or not coping (as the case may be) during a pandemic. It consists of “Airport,” “Missed Connections,” “Bangs,” “BLM,” “Baking,” and “Family.”

Shakespeare the Soap Opera by Anyiah Lobley with added material from team; Golda Meir HS. A family joins together for news of a daughter’s new career choice. She was supposed to go into nursing but plans on announcing a more classical vocation. Her mad family finds competition, melodrama, and pathos as they come together to rue their own life choices and unexpectedly support a young artist.

Superheroes: With Great Power Comes Ordinary Responsibility by Ian McWethy; Greenfield HS. For superheroes, saving the world is tough, but the time spent away from work is tougher. The Hulk has to do taxes, a crime-fighting sidekick joins a support group, and Batman goes stir-crazy without enough criminals to take down. Superheroes is a funny, fast-paced series of vignettes that explores how the caped crusaders deal with life in street clothes.

Our Place by Terry Gabbard; Greenwood HS. The unassuming location of a dock serves as the backdrop for different scenarios, both comedic and tragic, for the cast of Our Place. The ensemble gathers on the dock together for the final scene. In a poetic epilogue, they all discover the true meaning of Our Place.

An Experiment by Brent Holland; Hamilton HS. Five confused participants wake up with no memory of their past life with only one word, a personality descriptor, written on their shirts. The doctor explains each is here willingly, and all are being compensated for their participation in a research study. Will the assigned attribute of each participant affect their behavior when under extreme duress? Once the experiment begins, they find out to lose is to die, all five will do what they must to survive the experiment!

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

Tracks by Peter Tarsi; Holmen HS. A group of strangers meet in a subway station, their watches have stopped and they all claim to be in different cities. Soon they learn there is no way out, and they realize they are all dead. Since subway stations have two sides, they reason the train leaving from one platform must be bound for heaven, while the train leaving from the other platform must be bound for hell. But which platform are they on? As they reflect on their lives the next train approaches do they have they faith to get on?

The Edge of Reflection by The 2020 One-Act Class; Homestead HS. Two friends go exploring and are pulled into another world by three ruling Fates, looking for entertainment. Faced with a series of challenges, they discover themselves and the true meaning of partnership.

The Empty Chair (Courage & Hope casts) by Tim Kelly; Hortonville HS. The setting is a counseling center for teenagers recovering from substance abuse. One of their peers, Robert, has just died of an overdose. Accident or suicide? The atmosphere is tense and uneasy.

Finally, each young person speaks about his or her memory of Robert. The dramatic monologues tell us a great deal about each speaker and the terrors of drug abuse. Although Robert remains somewhat of a mystery, his impact on the others is undeniable.

Bad Auditions by Bad Actors by Ian McWethy; Hudson HS. A casting director has one day to find the leads for a community theater production of Romeo and Juliet. But what seems like a simple task proves impossible when the pool of actors includes extreme method actors, performers who just don’t know what to do with their hands, and one particular woman who may or may not think she’s a cat.

The World Doesn’t Revolve Around You by Cassidy O’Neil; Kettle Moraine HS. Have you ever wondered what would happen if 10 of the most different people were forced to work together? Well, in this comedy story about the nine planets and the Sun, that’s just what happens. Each character, more different from the next, is forced to work together, despite how much they despise one another. Although highlighting serious and realistic topics, this script puts a funny twist on the issues of saving Earth.

Whose Crime Is It Anyway? by Jenny-Alice Thompson; Kettle Moraine HS. A collection of famous fictional characters (including Dracula, Elizabeth Bennett, Frankenstein, and Miss Havisham) come for a dinner party at a creepy castle without knowing why they were invited. Professor Moriarty’s butler reveals some incriminating information and when the lights go out murder is afoot. Full of puns, references to the characters’ source materials, and modern mystery spoofs, like the movie CLUE, this whodunnit has just the right balance of comedy and drama.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

Murder in the Knife Room by Jonathan Rand; Lincoln HS - Manitowoc.

It’s murder, it’s intrigue, it’s cheesy enough for Wisconsin. What starts as a group of unique individuals gathering for a mysterious reason, it quickly turns to a murderous night with 10 suspects.

As the new mystery unfolds it’s up to the inexplicably omniscient Inspector to solve a thrilling, and to be perfectly honest, baffling, murder case. We guarantee you won’t see the ending coming.

A Bad Connection by Steve Cleberg; Lincoln HS - Wisconsin Rapids.

Taken from the royalty free series of Radio Suspense Theatre, A Bad Connection lures the audience to listen to the 1930s era of paranoia.

Hedda Hampton is a prominent journalist who is alone in her office at night. She soon discovers her office is locked and tries to connect to people through the phone lines. Is it paranoia or is someone out to get her?

The Last UFO by Steve Cleberg; Lincoln HS - Wisconsin Rapids.

This spine-tingling mystery is the last play in the series of “Radio Suspense Theatre”. It marks the golden era of radio where alien life has become the focus of attention in the 1950s. A strange new alien spacecraft lands in the backyard of a typical American family home.

They instantly become celebrities but pay a price. Is it worth the life of a celebrity or were things better before the alien spacecraft landed?

The Parakeets Vanish by Steve Cleberg; Lincoln HS - Wisconsin Rapids.

This spine-tingling mystery takes us back to listen to the Golden Era of Radio, the 1940s. Ronald Adams is about to be wed but on the night of his bachelor party, a murder takes place in his apartment. But was it his apartment? Is he imagining things or is someone out to frame him?

Saturday Matinee by Dan Roberts; Luxemburg-Casco HS. Movie audiences can often be as entertaining as the film itself. This play takes place during the waiting period before the movie begins and offers a look at the personalities and idiosyncrasies of the teen audience members.

Horror Movies 101: Failing Can Be Deadly by Steven Stack; Marshfield HS. Horror Movies 101 is a dark comedy that looks at the predictable nature of Horror Movies through a series of vignettes. In this selection, we see the vignettes of “Heirlooms” and “The Girl on the Side of the Road”, which look at the story of the hook man at Make Out Point, and the dangerous act of picking up a missing person in the middle of the woods. Stories interconnect with people located in St. Clare, Minnesota.

Horror Movies 101: Isolation by Steven Stack; Marshfield HS. Horror Movies 101 is a dark comedy that looks at the predictable nature of Horror Movies through a series of vignettes. In this selection, we see the vignette of “Isolation” about friends at a cabin in the woods of St. Clare, Minnesota.

A mysterious virus, spread from the bites of infected people has reached their friend group, and, predictably, they don’t know who to trust.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

Shady Meadows by Lisa Dillman; Marshfield HS. Shady Meadows is the perfect suburban housing development that everyone yearns for in a starter home. But Melanie and Neil quickly learn that nature has other plans. As nature tries to creep into their home, built on reclaimed wetlands, the chemicals and products aimed at keeping the landscape free of critters actually teach them a cautionary tale about the environment and the cost of human control.

Alone, Together by Various; Madison East HS. March 2020. As California entered a “stay at home” order due to the coronavirus pandemic, UC Santa Barbara’s LAUNCH PAD commissioned 24 distinguished playwrights to pen monologues and short plays inspired by the prompt “Alone, Together” and was written to be performed live on Zoom.

All in the Timing by David Ives; Menomonie HS. All in the Timing is usually performed as a group of 6 10-minute plays. The three we have chosen to put together for this festival are Sure Thing (A play about second chances), The Philadelphia (A play about being stuck in a frame of mind) and lastly, Phillip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread (A play about what would happen if the famous composer’s daily life became like one of his contemporary music compositions).

War of the Worlds Adaptation by Howard E. Koch; Middleton HS. An adaptation of the War of the Worlds radio event presented by Orson Wells’ Mercury Theatre in 1938.

Jack in the Box by Scott Mullen; Mukwonago HS. Four teenage girls at a slumber party are tempted by a voice from a box, which claims to be able to direct them to the future they want, if only they’ll do what it says and give it what it needs. A suspenseful one-act that delves into the power of choices and reveals our inner demons, Jack in the Box leaves audiences wondering what they might trade to know their own futures.

The Eyes of the Panther by Ambrose Bierce adapted by Merchelle Kolasa; Northland Pines HS. A young woman refuses the proposal made by a gentleman because she considers herself to be insane.

She believes this because her mother was found in a manic state in her cabin in the woods with her son crushed to death in her embrace. She tells the story of the panther that caused her mother to become insane and as coincidence would have it, there have been many panther sightings in their village lately.

The Happy Prince: A Radio Play by Andrew J Fenday and Duke Fenday; Northwestern HS. Harken back to the 1940s when families gather around the radio to let their imaginations create the scenes while voice actors tell the story. In this show, you also get to see what that looks like as actors read their script using a variety of voices, telling an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince.

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

The Internet is Distract--Oh Look a Kitten! by Ian McWethy; Oak Creek HS. The Internet is the place we go to fill those few minutes when we have to wait for something or to be completely distracted when what we really need to do is get some work done. Micah needs to finish the essay she procrastinated on before she heads off to school for the day. When she just needs to check a few facts, the Internet’s many characters work to distract her and worse. Whether Internet savvy or not, everyone will recognize the Internet come to life in this zany comedy.

Captain Theatre Nerd and the Magnificent Techies by Jon Jory; Oconto Falls HS. Let Captain Theatre Nerd take you on a whirlwind tour of the history of theater from ridiculous melodramas to sweeping musicals. Everything on stage happens just as it’s supposed to, except when it goes horribly and hilariously wrong. Actors on strike, indecisive directors, wrong cues and costumes... But the show must go on! Right? Leave it to the techies to save the day.

Family Tree Trunk by Brady Boebel; Platteville HS. Brooke inherits the family trunk on her 21st birthday. Inside are family heirlooms and memories. Some of her family members have humorous tales, and some are much darker. Regardless, Brooke learns the importance of family and passing down stories in this short show.

I Don’t Want to Talk About It by Bradley Hayward; Platteville HS. Being a teenager is hard, and nobody wants to talk about it. Confronting the daily challenges of growing up, this series of monologues and scenes offers a look at a multitude of issues - including dealing with parents who just don’t get it, rumors, bullying, and suicide.

By turns funny and tragic, the gritty details of adolescence surface - exposing the things teenagers can’t, won’t, and don’t want to talk about. This was written as a Reader’s Theatre-type show.

Me, My Selfie & I by Jonathan Dorf; Pulaski HS. Through a series of scenes and monologues, the show explores the nature of our selfie-obsessed world. Are people truly living their lives or simply documenting them?

The Insanity of Mary Girard by Lanie Robertson; Regis HS. In 1790, Mary Girard is committed to an asylum. After Mary became pregnant by another man, her husband had her declared legally insane. Now, Mary sits in a chair as the “furies” dance around and impersonate people from her past. By the end of this haunting and highly theatrical piece, she has grown rather convincingly into her diagnosis.

A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett, adapted by Judine Brey; Regis HS. When 7-year-old Sara Crewe first enrolls in Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary, she has all the advantages that cause some students to dub her “a little princess:” wealth, intelligence, and a sweet disposition.

However, the untimely death of her doting father - and his financial ruin - create a turn of events that tests Sara’s princess-like qualities.

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13 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview by Ian McWethy; Riverdale HS. The one act play is about two college applicants’ interviewers who must find one more student to admit to their college so they do not get fired. The interviewers meet several potential candidates that end up not working out.

Face Value by Erica Allemang-Reinke; Rufus King HS. Face Value is a storytelling formatted play based on true stories where people have been judged by what they look like when someone meets them or sees them for the first time. The term “Face Value” means to not look any deeper into what is being said/stated. The play deals with a series of stories of people of different races or faces, talking about their experiences. All scenes are based on true stories.

Fidget by Bradley Hayward; Tomahawk HS. Teenagers are constantly being told to hold still. However, that’s difficult when they are still trying to figure out who they are, where they belong, and how they fit in with their peer group and society. This selection explores multiple obstacles that today’s teens face.

Unmasked by WUHS Theatre Production Class; Waterford Union HS. The Unmasked podcast has decided to devote one night to a live broadcast where callers are admitted to a virtual recording of the show. Callers share their stories of life and death amidst the pandemic, as themes of loneliness and resilience are heard through cyberspace, we find that we are not alone in this.

Shakespeare’s Villains by William Shakespeare; Waukesha North HS. Shakespeare’s villains are never simple in their motivations. In this series of monologues, we watch as King and Lady Macbeth, Iago, and Shylock explain their motivations to the audience-- every villain thinks they’re the hero.

Selfie by Bradley Hayward; Waukesha South HS. Eight HS seniors take us through their year as they face their individual struggles. We see how their lives change in a year through short scenes, monologues, and projected selfie pictures.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the novel by Mark Haddon, adapted by Simon Stephens; Waukesha West HS. 15-year-old Christopher has an extraordinary brain: He is exceptional at mathematics but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life.

He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. When he is suspected of murdering the neighbor’s dog, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery and find the killer. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his world.

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Aunt Leaf by Barbara Wichmann; Waunakee HS. One hundred years ago, among the dark woods of the Hudson River Valley, a quiet eleven-year-old Annabelle develops a secret ritual of storytelling with her lonely great Aunt Leaf. Their hauntingly poetic tales intertwine as both women experience important life events.

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde adapted by Zach Grasee; Waunakee HS. The iconic British farce documenting the double life of Jack Worthing. Jack who lives in the country has invented a troublesome younger brother call Ernest, so that he may go up to town whenever he likes. What will ensue as Jack’s two different lives collide? Will he finally learn The Vital Importance of Being Earnest?

What Dreams May Come by Student Devised; Waunakee HS. HS Junior Alex has a Hamlet complex! He’s suffering through a two-dimensional life that wasn’t meant to be (or not to be for that matter). His Hamlet project is due in the morning, but all Alex wants to do is sleep. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune transport him through his subconscious to the Undiscovered Country and Alex gets quite an education on where dreams are made. But when morning comes, will Alex decide to wake up or keep sleepwalking through his life?

Antigone (Eteocles & Polynices casts) by Sophocles (Adapted by Bonnie Roberts); Wauwatosa East HS. What if your life was in danger because of a decision you made, an action you decided to take?

Would you be willing to die for taking that action? What if everyone you cared about begged you to change your mind? In this modern retelling of Antigone, each Chorus member argues the side of one of the characters, hoping, this time, to bring understanding and peace to the war-torn land. There are no heroes, no villains here. Only individuals who face the choice: should I do what I feel is right?

All the King’s Women - Casts A & B by Luigi Jannuzzi; Wauwatosa West HS. The story of Elvis Presley told through a series of monologues and short plays. This show captures the heart and life of the King of Rock and Roll.

Hamlette by Allison Williams; Whitefish Bay HS. Imagine if you will that “Hamlet” was not “Hamlet” at all, but “Hamlette” – a woman!

This year’s one-act, Hamlette by Allison Williams, is a twisty-turny interpretation of the classic Danish tale. This hilarious farce pays homage to Shakespeare’s Hamlet while leaving you laughing in the aisles along the way. Come see this classic tragedy’s ridiculous twin… Hamlette! Why spend four hours telling the story when just a few actors can get the job done in thirty minutes?

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ONE-ACT SYNOPSES cont.

Because I Said So by Elizabeth Graber and Rebecca Ludtke; Wrightstown HS. Because I Said So focuses on relationships that people encounter throughout life. From a wife/mother struggling to “love” her new cat, to a college-bound young woman forced to examine her connection with her father, this one-act displays both humorous and poignant moments everyone experiences when forming connections with one another.

Subject to Change by Elizabeth Graber and Rebecca Ludtke; Wrightstown HS. Subject to Change is a series of monologues that looks at various changes people experience throughout life.

Change can oftentimes be seen as daunting and enveloping, as is the case for many of these individuals in the play.

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What are you willing to fight for?

We Fight For What’s Right

Proud supporter of our local high school drama programs 2020 WISCONSIN HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE FESTIVAL 37