Year after year, Wakeland has teams competing in a variety of sports in districts against other Frisco schools. While most people are anticipating the outcome of the next soccer game or track meet, Wakeland’s Theatre department is preparing for its own competition. 

Every year, the Theatre Department performs a One Act Play to compete with other schools. The One Act Play is one scene, one set, all performed in under 40 minutes. 

“If it goes over, we get disqualified,” Theatre Director, Mrs. Dalfonzo, said. 

Performing an entire play already is an incredibly difficult task on its own, adding a time limit is no small task. The cast and crew have to have their costume changes, set design, lighting, and countless other elements near perfection in order to stay within the time limit and avoid disqualification. 

Choosing the best play to perform to fit within the time limit is an important element too.

“Our One Act this year is called ‘39 Steps, Even More Abridged.’ To choose we look at the students we have and pick material that matches their talents,” Dalfonzo said. 

The One Act Play this year is based on the movie ‘The 39 Steps’ directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The original story is about a man bored with everyday society, and how his life is forever changed by a stranger that triggers a sequence of unbelievable events. 

But how does the play compete with other schools?

The OneAct Play is performed along with a few others depending on the schedule, and then a panel of judges will rank their performances and give scores to each performance. The judges will also present selected awards to the cast and crew and choose three plays to continue through districts. 

The One Act Play begins its district competition on March 7, at Carrollton Creekview. Let’s support our fellow Wolverines and give them a grand applause for this truly impressive performance!