Check Please – Director’s Notes
When discussing the 2013 – 2014 season, we talked about building a strong main stage tradition: fall play, musical, one-act and showcase. I always knew that I wanted the One-Act show to be a double feature, or possibly even a triple feature. The question was: what other group could share the main stage with the competition group?
Tonight, our One-Act show represents our present in The Importance of Being Earnest, and our future in Check Please. Students who comprise the Junior Varsity Theatre class (which really needs a name) are everything you’d hope for in a group of young thespians. Many of the students featured in tonight’s show will continue on with theatre and will join the varsity theatre class next year. They are fun and funny, they have strong hearts and clear minds and they are a dream to work with – 99% drama free. These are students who live for the work and are willing to work for the applause.
The Importance of Being Earnest – Director’s Notes
UIL One Act Play is a Texas institution, popular inside and outside the state. I competed as a student in high school and was pleasantly surprised to discover that several of my colleagues at Vandegrift did so as well. So, to the UIL newcomers, I say … “Welcome to the club.”
Algernon Moncrieff says, “The truth is never pure and rarely simple.”
The truth is Oscar Wilde is fun. I had a blast watching these students transform themselves into distinctly truthful characters. My favorite part of this experience has actually been offstage, watching the upperclassmen mentor the younger students. Surprisingly, we have a mixed company of Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores and … even Freshmen! The older students are so detailed and clear about the rules and traditions – and the underclassmen, actually listen to their more experienced peers.
It’s magnificent, and exactly as it must be if we are to see growth in the program.
This is my first UIL competition at Vandegrift High School and I have been thrilled to get to collaborage with my colleague Mr. Aaron Stahlecker. We are so lucky to be where we are because we have such strong support. We have an amazing administration that supports us as educators, the students, and the theatre arts in general. We also have parents who volunteer in a variety of helpful ways, often without ever being asked. And of course we have such gifted students who are fiercely committed.
Thank you, parents, for loaning your students to us for all those rehearsals, for all the sacrifices, and for all the loving support. Thank you, Theatre Booster Board for the tireless effort you have put into helping us throughout the year and especially with this show. And last, I’d like to say thank YOU for coming to see us do what we love to do.
Please, enjoy the show!
Luc Howland,
Director
