Mineral Wells High School Theatre put on a wonderful performance of ‘And A Child Shall Lead’, by Michael Slade. The members of the theatre really found themselves while performing this piece and showed their talents during their UIL competition.
The play is based on the true story that took place during the Holocaust. The drama is told primarily from the voices of children who experienced the carnage during their time in the death camps. The narrative is based on poems and short stories which set a fast-paced and enticing scene for the audience to be mesmerized. This one-act play sets a life-like reality of the full trails for children in a time of bloodshed.
Their theatre teacher, Tamara Harris notes that she picked this piece for several reasons. “It is a great ensembled play about children surviving: through art, poetry, newspapers, playing, and music. It’s a reminder of how art feeds our spiritual, and mental health. And there’s more to life than survival.”
The cast is as follows, Evan Silva as Miroslav Weiss, Kohner Mahan as Pavel Hoffman,
Emilio Infante-Hernandez as Martin Lowy, Ollie Garcia as Erik Kosek, Mackenzie Lawhon as Eva Hellerova, Bethany Akins as Gabriela Winterova, Marlee Lawhon as Alena Lederova, Jasmine Rios as Jana Hellerova, and Alyssa Bragg as Ruth Synkova. The stage set is completely set and arranged by the students. Gracie Shewmake is the stage manager. Heidi Morgan is the sound designer and operator for the show. Sydney Lindley did a beautiful job as the lighting crew. Last but not least, Haily Allen is in charge of props and sound crew as well.
Gracie Shewmake actually completely designed the stage from scratch using images from the time period. She was inspired by drawings from the Terezin, a concentration camp during WWII that was considered a small deadly fortress.
This captivating one act play not only touches the audience, but has made a life changing impact for these students as well.
Tamara notes, “The students have found an emotional connection to the play. While COVID doesn’t shine a light to a genocide, they were able to pull from moments in their lives about the lack of human connection within the past year. The students did an amazing job finding ways to relate to their character, and to tell this beautiful story.”
Though the curtain has closed for this play in competition; the group did well this year. The class did advance to Bi-District which is an accomplishment for any play to receive.
However, the show must go on! This work of art will be set for all to see at the Mineral Wells High School on April 12th at 7 pm. The show will be open to the public in the auditorium. For the safety of all who attend the school asks everyone to wear a mask and be in awe of this wonderful composition.
Writer | I graduated from Weatherford College with an Associates in Art, focusing on history, creative writings, sociology, and humanities. Experience in child development, client care, and runs local Spoken Word Poetry group for young teens.
