GHS

Editor Andrew Casteneda

At Regionals on January 26, the cast of Gloucester High School’s one-act play, The End of Civilization as We Know It, reigned superior over three other schools with a first place victory and two recognized outstanding actors (Senior John Walsh in first place and Junior Gracie Smith in second). This victory qualified the Gloucester High School cast for advance to the Super Regionals Competition on February 16, to which they took home third place and another recognized outstanding actor (Junior Gracie Smith, second place overall). Unfortunately, only the first place winner of Super Regionals may advance, signifying the end of The End of Civilization As We Know It’s run of victory.

Both performances were absolutely glowing with energy and catalyzed booming laughter from all audiences. Senior and Director Sara Whiteman, as well as many other cast members, praised the two shows as “their best performances yet”. This claim of such high approval is especially impressive upon hearing that the cast had been rehearsing since late October 2018.

The plot of Gloucester’s one-act production this year unravels in history teacher Mrs. Mangles’ (Gracie Smith) classroom, specifically the morning of the highly anticipated final exam. It does not take long for the cast of students to discover that this is no ordinary exam and that this morally challenging test has the power to change their lives forever. Despite the initially sinister tone, the play is comical and very sidesplitting at that, evident by many cheering audiences.

Gloucester High School has consistently participated in the VHSL One-Act Competition in recent years, an annual conflict between schools, battling it out on-stage to determine the most prestigious production. One-act plays in competition are judged upon particular criteria such as attention, pacing, choreography, line delivery, and impressive acting, as well as particular bounds and regulations like set up, strike, and performance time limits.

Historically, Gloucester High School has had a very good track record in the VHSL One-Act Competition under the direction of theater teacher Clint E. Alexander. Last year’s production, a dramatic piece called Tracks, took home second place at Regionals and third at Super Regionals. One Lane Bridge, another dramatic production of the year prior, claimed first place in District, first place at Regionals, and fourth at the State level.

This year’s production was directed by not only Clint E. Alexander, but Senior Sara Whiteman as well, as the main focus of her SIRS project. “Sara was a great director,” says Sophomore Andrew Castaneda, understudy of John Walsh. “I was nervous in anticipation for replacing John’s role at Super Regionals but she was very helpful in helping me get up to par with his first place level performance. I think it’s partially due to her experience as an actor in such recent productions that gives her a kind of empathy and understanding - a great trait to have as a director.”

Though The End of Civilization As We Know It has come to an end in its production, further prestige can be expected in the future from the cast. Many cast members are now acting in this year’s musical, The Sound of Music. Many cast members have also stated that they plan to participate in the One-Act next year. As Andrew Castaneda put it, “Comedy, drama, I don’t think it matters what we do next year. We’ve got a good cast and a great director. Whatever production or competition we decide to take on, we can do it. We got it in the bag.”