CCS cast preparing for one-act play competitions

    Tryouts have been held and the cast is being finalized for Chase County Schools’ one-act play.
    Director Jill Bauerle said “The Greek(ish) Myth of Marcyonome” by author Alan Haehnel is a large-cast comedy full of interesting characters and ensembles.
    The cast will give its first performance at the SPVA Conference contest in North Platte Nov. 22 at the downtown Fox Theatre.
    Bauerle said there are two local performances planned on Nov. 23 and 30, both at 7:30 p.m. in the CCS auditorium.
    CCS will compete in District C1-6 with that competition set for Dec. 1 at North Platte High School. Other schools in C1-6 are Sutherland, Bayard, Mitchell, Gordon-Rushville, Gibbon and Hershey.
    Here’s a synopsis of the play provided by Bauerle:
    An intoning Greek chorus begins the story but is interrupted by a bored and exasperated audience member who begs the chorus to be nap time quiet or to make the play more entertaining. (Basically, he is sick and tired of Greek mythology.)
    The chorus fails at whispering the play but is saved by another audience member who emerges from the house and volunteers to tell a story.
    Her story is then brought to life by her “Greek stand-in” Marcyonome, who is aided by the Greek chorus, nymphs, Treachery, Disaster, demons, the sun, inhabitants of the land and her nemesis Terrefeces.
    Of course, no myth would be complete without the appearance of a few gods, goddesses and the nine muses.
Cast a large one
    Bauerle said between 30-40 students will be in the cast with another 15-20 working behind the scenes with makeup and as part of the stage and tech crews.
    The chorus members who will tell the story throughout the play include Brayan Cazares, Delaney Krutsinger, Kobe Norman, Nick Rau, Navy Smith, Katelyn Stamm, Josh Starnes and Mason Tyerman.
    Other main characters include Madelynn Hanes as Norma, Jordan Jablonski as Marcy, Lucy Spady and Marcyonome and Annika McDaniel as Terrefeces.
    The play has several small ensembles which add an additional sense of teamwork, Bauerle added.
    “All of us are enjoying the script already,” she said.
    Bauerle said one-act competition is an awesome experience for students.
    “One-act is a way for students to work with one another for a common goal that can only be reached if every single person does his or her job,” she said.
    Bauerle said former CCS teacher/director Cathy Howard and fellow staff members Kaylee Gill, Mary Fortkamp, Emily Jones and Jodie Liess are helping with practices and behind-the-scenes work when needed.
    At the local performances Nov. 23 and 30, donations will be taken at the door to help with the cost of scripts and costumes.
    Bauerle also issued a plea for help with costumes.
    Anyone with Greek costumes the school could borrow or be given are asked to contact her at the school by email: jbauerle@chasecoun tyschools.org.