Audience members muffle whispers and silence their cellphones as the lights go dark. The sound of a single pair of shoes entering the stage echos through the theater. As the lights come up, the audience’s eyes are drawn to senior Kamryn Hannigan.
Theater’s One Act actors have started to put the finishing touches on their 2020 One Act Show, “Kodachrome.” The public performance is at 7 p.m. Feb. 27, tickets are free for adults and students. Their competition is scheduled during school March 3 from 7 a.m. to about 9 p.m.
“Typically we would have two months to rehearse and connect with one another, but we lost a whole month because of Seussical,” Hannigan said. “We went into it thinking it would be very stressful since we only had four weeks to get it all together.”
Kodachrome follows the Photographer, a fourth-wall-breaking storyteller who shares stories of love and loss. She reflects on the interconnected memories and stories of herself and residents of the town Colchester. Directors Jeremy Ferman and Sarah Fortune worked with their actors since January to bring this show together for the annual UIL competition.
“Kodachrome is a complete 180 in the opposite direction than last year,” Fortune said. “Men On Boats was very physical and hands-on, while Kodachrome is more realistic and emotional.”
For senior actors in the one-act cast, this will be their final show. Senior Hannah Reetz focuses on the bonds with her cast members and bringing out what the show really means.
“It feels kind of nervewracking that district is so close but I’m starting to feel the excitement I get before we compete each year,” Reetz said. “I’m sad that it’s my last show but it makes me that much more determined to make the very most out of it.”
Legacy is hosting the first round of district competition, and seven other schools will come the morning of competition with the hopes of advancing to Bi-district. However, only three schools can advance to the next round of competition, making each performance count.
“Learning to channel our nerves to connect them with each other and the audience will be the last bit of focus we will need for our competition,” Hannigan said.
During the competition, the fine arts hallway will not be available to students all day so that the visiting schools and guests can execute their roles for the day.
“The show is beautiful, with a tough script with a lot of technical aspects,” Ferman said. “It may not be as adventurous as Men On Boats, but it has it’s impactful and powerful moments.”
