My students are the South Dakota Region 6 One Act Play Champions.

It happened with:

• A desk and chair borrowed from my teacher friend down the hall.
• A set of stairs borrowed from the school we performed at.
• A freshman lighting technician who had never seen a lighting board before the day of competition.
• A play chosen from a random stack purchased at Half Priced Books over Christmas break.

Despite having a minimal set, minimal experience and minimal resources, the judges commented that my students have the most natural acting talent they had ever seen. One judge, a university theater director, commented that he’d cast any one of my kids in any production he’s ever done. In addition to winning the entire competition, out of eight superior individual acting awards, our cast took four.

My students can’t remember the last time Todd County High School has placed at the regional competition, defeating the reigning champs and moving forward to the State One Act Play Festival this coming Friday.

They care so much for the characters they have developed. I am fortunate to be associated with such a talented group of kids.