Tears, laughter, celebration, and a lot of hard work! That is what Frenship One Act Play students experienced at the State UIL Championship.
The One Act Play students not only have been rehearsing lines, but also learning a new language.
The award-winning play, Sweet Nothing In My Ear is a play that uses a blend of spoken English and American Sign Language.
Jake Lierman, Frenship High School Theater Department Head and Lead Director of One Act Play, says that he is beyond proud of the students’ tenacity and dedication to this play.
“This process has been incredibly rewarding. A process that started back in October with auditions, three months of learning Sign Language, and then rehearsals beginning in January. These kids have engulfed themselves into a culture and a world that the majority of them had never encountered, before this process, in their lives. They approached it with respect, with love, and with a passion that took our audiences on a journey that captured their hearts and hopefully made them think,” said Lierman.
Individual awards were presented to:
- Honorable Mention: Bree Burchett
- All Star Cast: Taylor Stephens
Lierman describes both students as very dedicated and deserving of these awards.
“Bree Burchett received an honorable mention All-star cast award for her role as Laura Miller. Her performance was breathtaking, I am biased, but I believe it was worthy of the Samuel French Award. Her ability to capture not only the signing world and make it look authentic, but her ability to live and breathe the deaf experience required a depth that you very rarely find in an actor so young,” said Lierman.
“Taylor Stephens was honored with an All-Star cast award. Taylor's genuine and dynamic performance, also worthy of the top awards, captured the sympathy and compassion of the audience. Bringing a heartbroken father to life on stage and taking us on a journey of conflict, love and brokenness that left audiences in tears. This dynamic duo will be hard to ever match, and it was an honor to watch their journey,” said Lierman.
Lierman shares that the One Act Cast has overcome many obstacles, making him even more proud of the students.
“I have never, in my 13 years of directing high school one act plays, had a cast that had more adversity and challenges along the way. The grace and passion they took on this journey is something I will never forget,” said Lierman.
Congratulations One Act Play, we are proud of your many months of hard work and commitment!