The One-Act Play qualified for bi-district after placing in the top three at the UIL OAP district contest, March 24. They competed against eight other schools at Hendrickson High School, and were the last to compete at the competition.

“It was awesome to get to advance two years in a row in a district that is considered the fifth hardest district in the state,” theatre director Stephanie Smith said. “I think that our show still has a lot of potential because the entire cast is strong and our technicians are on point.”

The OAP came in second overall, one point behind Hendrickson. They will advance to Bi-District alongside Hendrickson and Cedar Ridge. They performed The Mariner in which the cast and crew experienced the tale of what happened to Christopher Columbus following his death, as he struggles to gain passage into heaven.

“It was cool for me because at this point the show is completely in the hands of the students, while I step back to watch them carry the show themselves,” Smith said. “And overcoming a cast shift and illnesses and still overcoming were great to see with this strong cast.”

In addition to advancing, three students also received single awards. Senior Chet Hamilton, who played the lead Columbus, made the All-Star Cast, senior Angela Schiff received the Honorable Mention All-Star Cast award, and senior Cole Shuffield was named to the Honorable Mention All-Star Crew.

“It was great getting to receive a tangible item for all of my efforts,” Schiff said. “It made me really happy, because I always forget what happens after I act, so getting an award and being told that I did a good job from strangers felt very fulfilling after everything that we’ve worked towards.”