“HURRY UP AND JUST SAY THE NAME!” That was what was going through LHS senior Michael Keating’s mind as he waited for the announcement of the winner at this year’s District One Act competition. For Keating, who plays one of the lead characters in the show, waiting seemed like an eternity. Then it came. “And the winner is, [large pause] Lincoln High One Act!” The crowd went wild.
Sophomore Landon Beard, who plays a runaway slave named Jessie, was among those screaming and cheering. “It was one of those things where you’re like in the moment you’re really happy, but then later it just keeps pouring in and it’s like an outstanding everlasting feeling,” Beard said.
The Lincoln High One Act cast and crew took first place at Districts on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011, and secured themselves a spot at the State Competition in Kearney later this week The show, Home on the Mornin’ Train, wowed the judges and even brought one to tears, according to director Patsy Koch-Johns.
Set partially in 1938 Germany during the Holocaust, the story follows a group of Jewish teenagers hiding from the Nazis. They take shelter in a barn, and to pass the time they read from a book about runaway slaves in the United States during 1838 fleeing to freedom via the underground railroad. The stories have many parallels, and the journey of the African American characters plays out alternately as well on the stage.
Senior Marina Blum, who plays a Jewish girl named Rifka said it was, “the most wonderful exhilarating feeling to win districts. I was so happy. Everybody was so happy,” Blum said. “Things have gotten in our way for a few years running, and I am super excited to go to state. We’re going to work really hard, because we’ve got a lot of competition,” Blum added.
Director Patsy Koch-Johns said, “I feel absolutely excited for all the kids. They were very poised and they represented very well.”
“They had a fabulous performance and scored well,” Koch-Johns said. “I am very proud of them, and I’m very excited that they get the opportunity to go to state.”
On Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, students and staff gathered in the Ted Sorensen Theatre to send the group off to the state competition at the Merriam Theatre in Kearney, Nebraska. The cast and crew ended the send-off with the traditional cheer, “We will protect this house!”
Class A competition begins at 3:30 p.m., and LHS performs at 5:45 p.m. The cost is $5, and the public is invited.
“If you want to come support, we’ll be there representing Lincoln High. Everybody should know that Lincoln High Theatre Kids are the best, the best,” Koch-Johns said.
Class A competition begins at 3:30 p.m.,
