After seven weeks of preparing for the UIL One-Act Play competition, theater performed the “Royal Gambit” at the UIL 5A District 18 Zone A competition on March 17.
The play told the story of King Henry VIII and his six wives.
The UIL One-Act Play competition is different from the other plays and musicals the theater classes produce. The actors and crew must follow specific rules that include strict time and set requirements.
“It’s more rewarding than other shows may feel, but it’s also one of the most difficult and stressful times in theater,” said junior Emerson Harris, who played Anne Boleyn in the “Royal Gambit.”
This one proved especially difficult when the cast went over the maximum time allotment of 40 minutes by a mere 20 seconds. The mistake disqualified the group from advancing to the next level.
“We got off stage and it’s always quiet, but it was like dead quiet,” Harris said. “It was scary quiet. And I saw our directors come backstage, and I just knew in my heart we went over time.”
The actors were able to hold their emotions in until they were in their safe space – the dressing room.
“It was really hard to see my friends hurt like that because some of them are seniors and this was their last show here, so it was really sad,” Harris said.
Senior Olivia Brenner, who played Jane Seymour, was caught off guard when she realized they had gone over time.
“It was definitely disappointing for everybody,” Brenner said. “It was shocking because we had never gone over before, so no one was expecting it.”
Although going over their time limit cost them a spot advancing to the district round, the cast and crew still qualified to receive critiques and awards.
Harris was named Best Performer. The cast also had two All-Star cast members – seniors Mackenzie Wilkey (Katarina of Aragon) and Jaxon Garrett (King Henry VIII). They also had two Honorable Mention All-Stars sophomores Sammy Requena (Kathryn Howard) and Ada Stokes (Anne of Cleves). In addition to the acting awards, junior Maebeth Potter won Best Technician, while seniors Ashlynn Nash and Harper Toth along with Potter and junior Amara Amadi won Best Crew.
“Winning Best Crew was something really amazing,” Harris said. “Our crew is comprised of four people, and some of them do multiple jobs during the show. They’re all so talented and excellent, so I know that they’re so proud of themselves for their work there.”
Although “Royal Gambit” was their last big show of the year, the varsity theater department still has some fun events that will help end their year off on a positive note. Seniors have the opportunity to direct their own show with the underclassman and then they will do their annual lip sync battles.
After an emotional day of performing and results, Brenner still was able to look back with a positive attitude.
“Even though we did get disqualified, I’m really proud of the show that we put on,” Brenner said. “It was a really good show to go out on.”
