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Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Perry seeks to entertain, engage at play competition

When picking a play to perform at the One Act Play competition every year, Perry High School looks for one that will both entertain and engage the judges and audience.

This year, the school’s drama department will perform “Wiley and the Hairy Man,” a folk tale based in the swamps of the Tombigbee River. Wiley has to confront his fears by facing the Hairy Man, a mythical creature, and learn how to overcome fear and rely on himself.

“It’s all about how important it is to believe in yourself,” said Joseph Sendek, drama teacher at Perry High School.

Perry will travel to Albany on Tuesday to perform “Wiley and the Hairy Man” at the Region AAA One Act Play competition. Public performances will be held at 7 p.m. Nov. 5 and Nov. 7 at the school’s theater. Tickets are $5.

Perry always chooses a show with a lesson, so the audience — and the students who perform the play — take home something more than entertainment value, Sendek said.

“We want (students) to be aware of others and to realize that whatever they choose to do after Perry High School, they should choose to give back to the community,” he said.

About 100 students from Perry are involved in the One Act Play competition, from the actors on stage to the costume designers.

The play has four central characters. Carson Albritton is Wiley and Halston Kirkpatrick is the Hairy Man. Hannah Price portrays Wiley’s mother, Mammy, and Avery Jones plays Wiley’s best friend, the dog.

For Jones’ costume, students spent three weeks threading 8-inch pieces of yarn onto a basic leotard, transforming it into a fluffy dog costume.

As the dog, Jones doesn’t actually have any lines. Sendek said Jones relies on facial expressions and body language to express his character.

“It can be tough to convey a character without saying anything,” Sendek said. “It takes a lot from a performer.”

Sendek said many people think of school drama programs as “little skits,” but along with instruction in drama, students learn about the real world as well.

“They are given deadlines, just like they will get in college or at a job, and are expected to fulfill that deadline without me going behind them,” Sendek said. “They know that they can’t come back and say, ‘I was busy. I didn’t have time,’ because their responsibility affects other students as well.

“We want them to learn that the theater is fun, but that it is work as well.”

Contact Alline Kent at allinekent@cox.net or 396-2467.