‘The Middle of Yesterday’ continues on to ‘tomorrow’
The Sub-Section 2A One-Act Play Contest was hosted by Mountain Lake Public School on Saturday, January 30, in the school’s auditorium.
The Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) one-act thespians, with the play, “The Middle of Yesterday,” by Ken Jones, produced by special arrangements with Heuer Publishing – will continue on to “tomorrow” following its first-place finish.
The trio of judges (Kris Besel, Sally Burdick and Jennifer Gall) each gave the play a first-place ranking out of the six one-act plays presented. That 1-1-1 finish was the perfect birthday present for the director of the MLHS production, Julie Brugman.
Some of the judges’ comments included: “Outstanding opening stage pictures.” “You all tell the story of this script well.” “Very effective ending.” “Your final message comes across loud and clear.” “Well done!” “Wonderful stage pictures.” “Good use of the stage. The stage was all used. Good blocking.” “I like the play. It is a good study and reflection of old age.” “Great ending.” “Good job of tugging at our heart strings.” “Especially poignant for those of us in this very same situation.” “Thank you!”
The first- and second-place plays from Sub-Section will advance to the Section 2A contest next Saturday, February 6, at Jordan Public High School.
Finishing second (and so also advancing to the Section 2A contest) was Springfield Public High School’s one-act, “Aesop’s (Oh So Slightly) Updated Fables,” by Kim Esop Wylie, produced by special arrangements with Samuel French.
The Minnesota State High School League’s State One-Act Play Festival is being held in St. Paul in the O’Shaunessey Auditorium on the campus of the College of St. Catherine. The “A” schools perform on Thursday, February 11, and the “AA” plays on Friday, February 12.
Other plays on the day included:
+ St. James Public High School – “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” by Celeste Raspanti, produced with special arrangements with Dramatic Publishing.
+ Martin County West Public High School – “Taboo,” by Kimberly Burke, produced by special arrangements with Playscripts, Inc.
+ Jackson County Central Public High School – “The Secret of Madame Defarge,” by Robert Johanson, produced by special arrangements with Dramatic Publishing.
+ Sleepy Eye Public High School – “Birdseed Waltz,” an original production.
This year’s Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS) one-act play, “The Middle of Yesterday,” looks inside the affect Alzheimer’s Disease has on the mind – and tries to give an answer.
Kilby Fleming, an aging ex-World War II hero, struggles between reality and the hauntings of his memories as he declines into the dark world of Alzheimer’s. Locked in time, Kilby is forced to view his past as the people in the present fight to bring him back.
Directing the MLHS one-act play are Julie Brugman and Crystal Fast.
Cast
+ Kilby Fleming – Sam Grev.
+ Stephen Fleming – Ethan Karschnik.
+ Nurse – Liana Blomgren.
+ Leanna Fleming – Carmen Syverson.
+ Young Stephen Fleming – Regan Syverson.
+ Lacy Fleming – Jae Faber.
+ Officer in the United States Navy – Ruben Fentanez.
Crew
+ Light Technician – Jareya Harder.
+ Sound Technician – Kalley Rempel.
+ Follow Spot – Amy Bartsch.
+ Stage Crew – Eli Karschnik, Isaac Grev and Dawn Geertsema.
