MHS Speech Team competes with one-act play
The Marietta High School Speech Team competed in the 4A One Act Play Regional
competition in Tonkawa recently, earning several medals for their efforts.
The team’s play, “Gossip”, written by Brian Hampton, centers around a group of high
school students and a new student, Gossip, who makes herself at home as she secretly
manipulates and twists the truth to serve her purposes. As Gossip’s new friends
become enlightened, they turn on her, leading to a surprise twist in the end.
The team performed the play to three different audiences: once competitively, and back
home for the high school students and the public.
“By and large, our production was student led,” said instructor Alicia Harris. “They
designed t-shirts, made tickets and programs, took charge of social media, made the
set, led some rehearsals, and even had input in the blocking choices and lighting
design.”
The cast and crew included students Kara Miller, Dallas Lowery, Dovan Bucher,
Delaney Aust, Xiomari Rosado-Rodriguez, Kamarah Bertrand, Ace Austin, Andrew
Perkins, Estefany Sanchez, Slade Campbell, Kelsi Lawson, Haylen Lowery, Aubry Chill,
Jansen Renick, Shawn Vasquez, Aaron Austin, Kyle Austin, Brice Carlile, Talon Gomez,
Emma Chaney, Xander Stark, Desmin Bertrand, Audriana Rodriguez, Bethany Gerlach,
Benito Maldonado, and Cristal Diaz.
Dovan Bucher, Delaney Aust, and Kara Miller won All Star Cast medals for superior
acting. Only 12 medals were awarded at the contest. Kamarah Betrand and Dallas
Lowery were also nominated by the judges for outstanding acting achievements.
“I'm so incredibly proud of these young adults!” Harris remarked. “They're talented
actors, powerful leaders, and kind-hearted humans. I'm privileged to be a small part of
their lives.”
With their play concluded, the students are now preparing for speech season. Each
member of the team has chosen one to four events to compete in this year.
“I expect they will put the same admirable work-ethic into the regular speech season as
they have One Act Play,” stated Harris, “and I'm excited to see what the future holds for
this special group of students.”