MHS Theatre Society Dedicates Eleven Years of One Acts

This school year the Medfield High School Theatre Society celebrates the eleventh anniversary of the annual One Act Festival. This festival raises money for the David E. Medeiros Scholarship in honor of the Medfield High School 1999 graduate.

Madeiros passed away in 2002 from pancreatic cancer in his junior year at Tufts University. He was a four-year MHS Drama member and demonstrated genuine and hard-working qualities, and excellent character and respect. The scholarship is given to a student who exemplifies the same characteristics as Medeiros.

Each year, one acts are chosen, directed, and produced by seniors in the Theatre Society. All ages are welcome to audition. This particular event is known for introducing students to the acting world in an enjoyable, yet professional manner.

MHS junior Kara O’Connell, actor in “Playception,” says, “[The directors] really understand the position you’re in and want to help you do your best.” Some directors, having acted on stage in previous years, can relate to their own cast.

Usually co-directing, the seniors get an opportunity to take advantage of. “Acting has always been fun, but tangibly changing a show and presenting what you see in your mind is an entirely different, rewarding experience,” says MHS senior Olivia Foster, co-director of “Food for Thought.”

Directing is an entirely different world than acting on a lit stage, and these seniors have learned hands-on just how challenging it can be. Even though directing is a new experience for many, the club continues to support its members. “The one acts are really a student-run show,” says Foster. “There’s so much to be said for the collaboration within drama…the One Acts are an example of this at its best.”

Mary Ann Hatem, club director, is the producer and supervisor of the One Act Festival. When asked about turning over the leadership to the seniors, Hatem replied, “I get to sit back and watch with pride. After four years of watching them progress, it's very rewarding.”

 “A great deal of heart and soul has been put into them by everyone connected to the festival, but especially the senior directors,” says Hatem. The seven one acts have been in preparation since November, each reflecting the directors’ style and personalities.

As for attendance, the Theatre Society promotes a night of entertainment and guarantees a laughing audience. This year’s overall theme is titled “Child’s Play,” referring to the shows’ younger and not-so-innocent qualities. The One Act Festival is “different than anything else we do in Drama…” and can appeal to many audiences, says O’Connell.

This article was written by Bethany Komine, a Medfield High School student and member of the student newspaper, The Kingsbury Chronicle. The piece is part of Medfield Patch's weekly series, "Warrior Weekly," helping provide information about MHS to the local community.