Triton one act play stars at state

Members of the cast and crew of Triton’s One Act Play took top honors last week in the Class A One Act Play Festival as they were one of five troupes to earn a “starred performance” rating.
They also received the Spotlight on the Arts Award of Excellence. This is a fine arts recognition award created by Wells Fargo, the League’s premier sponsor in cooperation with the MSHSL.
They performed “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare  (Abridged)” at the Minnesota State High School League sponsored event at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium on the St. Catherine University campus in St. Paul.
The school was making its third appearance at the state event but had never before “starred.” The last appearance by Triton at state was 10 years ago.
Triton made it to the state festival by going through sub sectional and sectional competitions.
The state festival does not involve direct competition between the entries. Judges rate the plays according to a specific list of criteria, including pace, blocking, costuming and projection of the play’s meaning.
Each production is limited to 10 minutes for stage preparation and 35 minutes of actual performance. Any deviation from these or other specific rules and the play is disqualified.
The plays were critiqued after the performance by three judges, said Triton teacher John Schreiber, who directed the play along with Vicki Reiser.
After each performance the judges consult and then openly critique each in front of the cast, crew and audience.
“Starred performance” ratings are determined by private balloting of the judges.
“Congratulations on a great showing at state,” said one of the judges during the critique. “Excellent vocal work, clear and precise, not easy to do given the style. Great control of the frantic quality of the script.”
A second judge was equally enthusiastic telling the students “Cast, great articulation and projection. Your audience was really with you today. They loved your energy and show, as did I.”
“Congratulations on a terrific performance,” the judge continued. “John, you and your ensemble deserve to be here. You are having so much fun! I didn’t want to miss anything.”
“Ensemble, you are equally balanced and all play off each other so well,” the judge continued. “Crew, bravo, flawless, that’s tough to do in a new theater.”
“Oh, man, you folks are funny,” the third judge said. “You chose a direction and you dedicate yourself to it completely. Perfect! Fantastic new ideas for this script!
“Fabulous physical work, so much fun. Amazing balance between polish and fun/freshness.”
Triton represented Class A Section 1 in the festival.
The play was written by Adam Long, Daniela Singer and Jess Winfield and has been one of the world’s most popular shows since its debut in 1987.
It parodies and pays homage to the plays of William Shakespeare by blending actual Shakespearean text with contemporary references performed by a group of absurdly incompetent actors.
Cast members of the Triton production were Preston Pflaum, Charles Groll, Jacob Knutson, Kiana Komatsu, Emmily Wilson, Rhylan Peterson, Noah Woxland, Jacelyn Schley, Larissa Lumsden, Connor Kelley and Desirae Tangen.
Support was provided by Taylor Schandorff, Leah Pflaum, Grace Lumsden, Kasey Redman and Matt Hoberg.
Three hundred groups participated in One Act Play this season, according to the MSHSL.
There were 208 competing in Class A and 92 in Class AA.