The cast and crew of Murder on the Orient Express earned First Alternate at the District 22 One Act Play contest in Teague on March 5.
“I’m proud of the work put in by the cast and crew, especially with so many who were new to OAP this year.” One Act Play director Hannah Koneig said. “We had so much positive feedback from the community and we had fun!”
Individual awards went to Raeleigh Kendziora, All Star Crew; Newton Hartley, All Star Cast; and Emma Jo Smith, All Star Cast.
“I very much enjoyed this year’s One Act Play! I had fun embodying the role of Countess Elena Andrenyi and utilizing all of the skills Mrs. Koenig has taught me,” Smith said. “I had fun trying out a Hungarian accent, learning how to pronounce words and working on dictation.”
The play is fast moving with many lines, scene changes, and light/sound directions. The play had to be performed in 40 minutes and, to avoid disqualification, was cut off early by the crew when they saw it was running over time.
“I wish we had time to perform the ending of the play, because if we had, I’m sure we would’ve absolutely crushed it in every aspect,” Hartley said. “However, I find comfort and pride in that belief alone.”
The One Act cast and crew practiced twice a week since January 18 in preparation for the contest and attended a practice clinic for feedback in February.
“I deeply regret not joining one-act play sooner,” senior Deyla Morgan said. “Being able to work alongside so many other talented and dedicated students who truly enjoy what they are doing work towards the production has made my experience all that much more enjoyable!”
The cast and crew performed their play for the student body and for the community before going to contest.
“I am going to miss these people like crazy when it’s over and done with,” freshman Anna Moyer said. “We trusted one another to walk onstage and do our part to the best of our ability, and I think that was the hardest part of OAP, learning to have faith in each other and not worrying that something will go wrong.
OAP Director Hannah Koenig selected scenes from the two-act play Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by playwright Ken Ludwig and based on the novel of the same title.
“Even though we didn’t advance,” junior Kiera Walker said, “I had a fun time and experience!”
The cast included junior Newton Hartley as the lead detective Hercule Poirot, senior Aidan Cobb as Monsieur Bouc owner of the Wagon-Lit, sophomore Mason Edwards doubling as villainous Samuel Ratchett and temperamental Colonel Arbuthnot, junior Kynzee Payne as the boisterous Mrs. Hubbard, senior Emma Smith as the stunning Countess Andrenyi, junior Skylar Bonner as the intimidating Princess Dragomiroff, freshman Anna Moyer as her fearful assistant, senior Jude Rounds as the nervous secretary, senior Deyla Morgan as the cool and collected Mary Debenham, and junior Ben Kilkenny as the conductor Michel. The crew includes sophomore Bailey Holland on sound, junior Kiera Walker and freshman Raeleigh Kendziora on lights, senior Mariana Aguilera, senior Eashan Kalyanji, sophomore Madison Russell, and freshman Adalyn Peterson.
“We all had a great time being involved and still put on a great show for the community and UIL judges alike,” senior Aidan Cobb said. “ I’m lucky to have gotten the role I did, and loved bringing that character to life. Those memories of all the practices and rehearsals, our performances, and even the goofs we had in the process, will always be held dear to me and are irreplaceable.”
