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Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009

WRHS hopes to repeat play’s success at One Act contest

Warner Robins High School will try to recapture some of its recent success with its production of “Anatomy of Gray” at the region One Act Play competition this week.

Warner Robins performed the play at the Georgia Theatre Conference in Columbus last month, and three of the stars of the show — Bobbie Stringer, Brittany Foskey and Ben Smith — were named to an all-star cast.

The group will compete in the Region AAAAA competition in Colquitt County. Warner Robins also will perform its production of “Anatomy of Gray” at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Warner Robins High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5.

Tamara Fisher, Warner Robins High’s drama director, saw the play and immediately knew she wanted her students to perform it for the One Act Play competition, even though the school has performed musicals at the competition since she arrived at Warner Robins nine years ago.

“It has been an absolutely incredible experience,” Fisher said. “Doing a play instead of a musical has given us the opportunity to really do character development. The students have been able to concentrate on the historical aspects, really research the characters, the props, the costumes, and make sure that everything fits to the time period.”

With a musical, more time has to be dedicated to the choreography and music, she said.

One factor in the decision to perform a play versus a musical was the theatrical talent of the drama department.

“Our students can sing, but they are much better actors than singers,” Fisher said.

“Anatomy of Gray” is set in the town of Gray, Ind., in the late 1800s. The story follows a teenager named June, who asks God for a doctor for the small town after her father dies without medical care. A tornado occurs and sweeps in a doctor named Gray, who brings medical knowledge to the townspeople. The themes of love and healing co-mingle with death and despair in the play.

Warner Robins will perform a shorter version of the entire play for the competition and for the public performance. Fisher condensed the play herself.

Period costumes were made by June Riggins, a teacher at Warner Robins High; Glenda Edes, a volunteer and family friend of Fisher; and Trieste Stringer, a parent of one of the students.

The play has a small number of actors. Lauren Cusker stars as June, Sam Haines as Gray, Bobbie Stringer as Rebekkah and Brittni Foskey as Tiny. Other cast members include Matt Tatman, Hilary Wilson, Blake Copeland, Ben Smith, Alexis Navarro, Austin Allen, Lucky Ashley and Kevin Oatis.

Senior Caroline Green serves as assistant to the director and has duties that run from leading practices to running the light board.

“It has been a learning experience for me,” Green said. “When you are in charge of something, you can’t just bark orders. You have to listen to them and perform as a team. I can’t do anything without them.”

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