The DHS Theater Department fine-tunes their production of Front by Robert Caisley for the UIL One Act Play District Competition this Saturday, March 7. Senior Kaitlyn Lane plays the role of stage manager for the production.

“Auditions went on pretty early in the year, right after the musical,” Lane said. “From there, we analyzed the characters and tech work we could do. Then, we got the actors on stage with their blocking.”

Lane remains excited for presenting the production at competition, yet still feels weary when thinking about the teams the production faces.

“It is scary, because last year I was pretty confident we could advance,” Lane said. “The competition this year is more advanced, and so it’s more stressful because we don’t know what we’re up against.”

For the theater director, Laura Gafford, the play acts as a medium to show the true hard work that the theater students have put into Front.

“I’m looking forward for the students to get to show their hard work off,” Gafford said. “I know they’ll put on the best show possible, and, as a teacher, that’s all I can ask for. All I can ask is that they put on the best show possible that they can, and I’ll be proud no matter what the outcome is, if that’s the case.”

This anticipation that Lane, Gafford and many of the thespians share remains persistent throughout the troupe. As stage manager and director, they both hold a part in the backbone of the production, deciding the interpretive parts of the play. In juxtaposition, junior Jackson Wann takes on the role of Tom in Front.

“Personally, I have put a lot of effort into the way I deliver my lines, get into character, and work on my accent,” Wann said. “I find it very rewarding to put a lot of effort in, even if we don’t advance, it’s a great learning experience and a great way to get out of your comfort zone, but also have fun.”

As competition approaches, Wann anticipates a good outcome; however, he believes that, regardless of the show’s standing in the UIL One Act Play competition, the work put in remains well worth it. 

“I hope that we will be advancing,” Wann said. “I believe in this cast, our show, and the hard work we have put in. No matter how we do, I will be proud of how far we have come and the amount of passion and determination each member has put into this show. I’m super excited to start competing and cannot wait to see the outcome.”

The passion that Wann references holds the same recognition by Gafford. Gafford cherishes the sense of community that the organization creates and states that it makes it rewarding for herself.

“As a teacher, it’s rewarding to watch the collaborative process as the students bring their unique ideas and viewpoints to the show,” Gafford said. “They form a special bond with each other since they all spend countless hours working to achieve the same goal of putting on the best show possible. It’s rewarding for me to see the bonds they form and the fun they have during that process.”