The Merriest
Written by Kellie Klocksien
Last year when I was selected to serve on the Playpen Playwriting Board I was so excited, but I was also extremely nervous because I was the youngest member. So I knew writing for Playgrounds I needed to create something that I was proud of alongside making the people who selected me for Playpen equally as proud. What inspired me to write The Merriest was the thought of wanting to incorporate a different theme for Playgrounds. While thinking of different themes my mind kept going back to iconic pieces of art that I loved growing up, one of them being the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore. I thought that if I was going to write a show about Christmas, then I might as well make the entire thing rhyme! I would also like you as an audience member to know that if I could write this entire show on an airplane, then who’s to say Santa’s not real because miracles can happen!
Directed by Lilly Bradford
We all know that delightful book “‘‘twas the night before Christmas.” Well, this surely is a night before Christmas to remember. The story follows a little boy on Christmas Eve where things don’t go exactly as planned. We are told the story through the boy as a full grown adult, adding humor and storytelling to the piece. Enjoy this hilarious, jolly show and all the holiday cheer it brings!
After Hours
Written by Kailey Archbold
Kailey is super crazy honored to have been given the opportunity to write in this year’s playgrounds event! In her free time, Kailey loves anything creative, whether it be reading, writing, singing, or acting. She has loved writing since she was little, and hopes you thoroughly enjoy the show she wrote: After Hours!
Directed by Max Richard
Max Richard is thrilled to be a director for playgrounds this year! Max has been a part of 12 full production shows at Wayzata High School. Max just recently performed in the production of The Skin of Our Teeth playing the role of Henry Antrobus. Some of Max’s favorite roles at WHS include Gomez Addams in The Addams Family, and Jean-Michel in Cinderella. Max has also done acting & musical theatre training at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, University of Michigan, and New York University (where he will be attending in the fall pursuing a career in Acting).
The King, the Soldier, the Crazy, and the Poet
Written by Hyde Lambert
The story of the king, the solider, the crazy, and the poet is a show that is funny and enjoyable, I started writing this play a over year ago, and it has become a lot better over the last year. I hope it is evident that I took a lot of inspiration from Wayzata high schools murder crime. The story follows 4 characters and how I think a king, solider, crazy, and a poet would interact with each other in the most ridiculous way possible, I hope you enjoy the show!
Directed by Anamika Nagargoje
Anamika welcomes you to Playgrounds 2024! She has been involved in Wayzata High School Theatre since sophomore year, with her most recent role being that of Alistair Fawkes (the Adventurer) in MurderCrime. Other notable theatrical credits include Carol Melkett in Eden Prairie Players's Black Comedy, Romeo and Juliet: An Audio Drama with Shakespearean Youth Theatre, and more. She serves as captain of the Wayzata Speech Team for the 2024 season, is currently a Bel Canto choir officer, and was one of the 2023 Wayzata Marching Band drum majors. Her gratitude goes out to everyone who has helped make Playgrounds possible, and she hopes you enjoy the shows!
