McLean High student Nikki Becher wrote and directed "Chickens Don't Gobble," starring (left to right) Max Sparta, Nadeem Bohsali, Eamon Voth and Maddie Ryu. (Photo: Sarah Chaikind)

 

Student thespians at McLean High got a chance to sit in the director's chair during the McLean One Act festival staged at the high school last week.

Nineteen students directed 16 one act plays over three nights, March 14 - 16, after a month of delays in staging the productions due to snow.

A number of students wrote their own scripts, or used original material - Nikki Becher, Josh Boehm, Mackenzie Cadden, Elliot Duffy, Rakesh Guha, Thomas Haufe, Sara Lavenhar, Terry Mittelman, Rachel O'Connell, Matt Parent, Grace Reddish, Drew Sanders and Nick Stone.

They joined fellow directors Vanessa Bretas, Leila Goldstein, Elaina Kaiser, Kate Marlette, Jamie Richardson and Trina Ross.

Eight one act plays took the limelight on Sunday, March 14, and another eight on Monday night. The Theatre Department judged which were the best four from each night. The final eight were presented again Tuesday night.

 

Ethan Stackpole (left) and Megan Jones star in "Remember for Me," written and directed by Sara Lavenhar. (Photo: Sarah Chaikind)

 

Following the performances, the department recognized the festival's highlights:

Cameo Actor - Nick Stone

Supporting Actor - Ethan Stackpole

Supporting Actress - Monica Manoatl

Lead Actor - Elliot Duffy

Lead Actress - Nikki Becher

Best Ensemble - The Vegetables from "The Secret Life of Vegetables," written and directed by Grace Reddish

Best Costumes - Sara Lavenhar for "Remember for Me," written and directed by Lavenhar

Creativity - Matt Parent, Rakesh Guha and Nikki Becher for the creation of "Meanwhile, A Heroic Musical"

Best Direction - Kate Marlette and Elaina Kaiser for "9 Ways to Screw Up Your College Interview"

Best Original Script - "Sure Thing," directed by Jamie Richardson and Trina Ross.