The night of May 13th marked the return of Community Christian School’s award-winning one-act play program. Having been forced to sit out last year due to covid concerns the students were excited to get back to this creative outlet that they love so much. The fact that there isn’t a competition being held this year, but they chose to work this hard anyway shows how passionate they are about this craft. The work they put in was evident. You could see the polish, and I wasn’t the only one that was impressed by the performances.
The first play of the evening, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, was put on by the junior high students. The play was based on a novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. It’s about an eccentric candy maker that invites children into his factory to see the odd ways that his candy is made. The children are selected through a contest where they have to find golden tickets in the candy that he produces. Once they are all assembled at the factory hijinks ensue. It was great fun to watch. It starred Nicholas Harrison as Willy Wonka, Colby Johnson as Charlie Bucket, Landen Richards as Grandpa Joe, Faith Hughes as Narrator, Booker Mullins as Mike Tevee, Brylee Montgomery as Veruca Salt, Kirsten Parker as Violet Bearegard, Dax Seahorn as Augustus Gloop, Kelton James as Mr. Tevee, Sofia Moon as Grandma Georgina and Mrs. Salt, Rhyann Woodarski as Mrs. Beauregard and Ms. Bigelow, Lily Moon as Grandma Josephine and Mrs. Gloop, Noah Moon as Grandpa George and Oompa Loompa Chief, Hannah Lammers as Mrs. Bucket, and Kasen Wheaton as Mr. Bucket. Also, Kennedy Bailey, Sloan Ballenger, and Maeli Rainkin as the Oompa Loompa Troupe, and Major Ballenger and Elli Lemons as the Little Loompas. It was directed by Beckii Cooper & Lyric Calhoun.
The second play, Over the River and Through the Woods by Joe Dipietro, was put on by the high school students. It was about a young man dealing with his overbearing grandparents and life’s decisions. Full disclosure, I didn’t get to see this play due to a scheduling conflict, but everyone I talked to about it was in love with the humor and heart. It starred Price Horton as Nick Cristano, Kennady Richards as Frank Gianelli(this is the senior’s 10th play at CCS), Jaylee Maness as Aida Gianelli, Adam Moon as Nunzio Cristano, Kathryn Murman as Emma Cristano, and Lauren Brown as Caitlin O’Hare. The play was directed by Doug Jefferson with the assistance of Beckii Cooper.
Price Horton, Lauren Brown, Jaylee Maness, Adam Moon, Kennady Richards, and Kathryn Murman
The workmanship, creativity, and love of the art that went into these plays was evident throughout. Congratulations to all of these young actors. I look forward to seeing what you bring to us next time.
Contributor | I was born in Mineral Wells and have lived here all my life so far. I graduated from Community Christian School. I am amazed at the progress this city has made in the last few years, and I want to contribute to that in a positive way. I love writing, photography, music, and listening to way too many podcasts.
