Welcome!
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the work of our dedicated student artists.
This festival is unique in our season of shows (and not just because it's on zoom). What makes One Acts a speical annual tradition at SMA is that it is almost entriely student run. Students are the ones who select the shows, they run the auditions, they direct the rehearsals, they run the tech, and they do the performing. As their faculty advisor I get the privallige of walking with them through their process, their preperation, their artistry, their successes, and their struggles.
This year there were a lot of stuggles: rights got pulled for shows, actors had to get vaccinated, the rehearsal schedule was necassirly truncated, and on top of that creating theatre on zoom is a beast that performers, techies, and directors alike were forced to learn.
Despite all this context, the performances you'll see tonight are playful, interesting, funny, and moving. They are a labor of love from an incredible group of students who elected to spend more time on zoom during a year where they've already spent plenty. Their dedication, kindness, and passion, shines through in the work you're about to see.
I want to give a speical shout out to the directors of the festival; an amazing cohort of senoir thespians, some of whom have been waiting to step into this leadership role for two years (since the festival was canceled last year due to COVD). They are a compassionate and caring group of people who've shown flexability, professionalism, dedication, and resillience through setbacks that would have many mature adults weeping and gnashing their teeth. I couldn't be more proud of their leadership and artistry. This place won't be the same next year without them.
Enjoy the show.
Jordan Beck
Faculty Advisor and One Acts Producer
Speical Thanks to
- The parents and families of our ensemble for supporting their students in the wonderful, weird, digital moment.
- The St. Mary's Administrative Team.
- Peyton Scott.
- Demetri Pavlotos for his tireless support, and his desire to empower our students to be artists.
- Shannon More for her tireless support of students and colleagues alike.
