By Micaiah Price
High school one act. For some it may be a place to find family; a place to run to. To others, this extracurricular activity may seem like some big joke. What these students fail to realize, however, is just how important these theatre bonds are.
Senior Beatrice Quam loves one act because of the way, “It brings everybody together.”
For Quam, one act has given her the opportunity to grow closer with her father, coach Erik Quam, and sisters, Matilda and Eva Quam, as well as helping her meet her current friend group.
“I feel like I wouldn’t be talking to a lot of the people that I talk to today if it wasn’t for one act,” said Quam.
This year, the one act team is performing the production The Music Man. Over 90 kids are helping in the making of this production, the most in school history. These are record numbers considering this is only the program’s second year in executing a musical in just 30 minutes.
Senior Jesse Reed, who plays Marcellus Washburn, feels that one act brings not only the actors together, but also the jocks, preps, nerds, and everyone in between. It is a common ground for all.
Reed said, “In real theatre, it’s less of everyone and more of just theatre kids. In one act, I think it’s really cool because half the high schoolers participate. Here there’s just a place for everyone.”
For freshman Vivian Putnam, one act is a place for her to grow her acting and make new friends. This safe space means there are people to look up to. One act means all contributors have their role models.
Putnum said, “Dayton, Jesse, and Coltyn, they’re all like really good actors. They’ve done it for multiple years longer than I have, and I just look up to them as actors.”
During these four and a half month seasons, students learn and grow in many different ways. Betty Colbert, Jamion Biesterfeld, Erik Quam, and Madison Bastian help to teach every kid how to act, sing, and dance as well as become good people. All participants, whether off or on the stage, learn how to communicate, work with the people around them, and how to connect with their characters. These coaches work incredibly hard, and for these students, it pays off.
“I really love our coaches,” exclaimed Reed.
Quam said, “I get to spend time with my dad all the time, and he’s a great coach. He’s the coach that shapes you into a better person.”
While outsiders may look in on Louisville High School’s one act program and not think anything of it, these opportunities mean the world for the 90 students involved. One act has a meaning. No matter how big or small. Whether to the freshman or the seniors.
Reed said, “Personally, I think it’s just a family. I don’t think any other activity is as close and supportive as one act is.”