When the weather cools, football is not the only thing on the minds of local high school students. This is high school play season, and the local high schools are all geared up for public performances of their one-act competition plays.

‘Jekyll & Hyde’

Northside High School, which last year won the state championship in Class AAAA One Act for its performance of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” will present “Jekyll & Hyde” at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Oct. 31 in the Ray Horne Theatre. Tickets are $5.

According to Brian Barnett, drama director at Northside High, “Jekyll & Hyde” is a musical based on the novella “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

While the school will have a Halloween performance, Barnett said the play was selected because of his own experiences with it.

Barnett, who has performed as the lead, knew the material would be both a challenge for his students and an opportunity to showcase their talent.

“We are just at such a great place at Northside with such great depth in talent,” Barnett said. “This is a really great piece of theater, and I knew that it would give an opportunity not only for the leads but for the fantastic ensemble members.”

‘Bobby T & the Boo Hag’

The Perry High School Theatre for the Performing Arts will present “Bobby T & the Boo Hag” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $5 at the door. Perry finished fourth in the state last year in Class AAA competition.

Drama teacher Joe Sendek wrote “Bobby T & the Boo Hag,” which is based on a Southern folktale about a woman who appears beautiful during the day but at night turns into a monster that feeds on the flesh of men.

“We are calling it a Southern-fried folktale because it is actually humorous,” said Sendek. “It is all done in a light-hearted manner.”

Sendek said that there is no devouring on stage.

With the addition of Noel Jordan to Perry High’s drama staff this year, Sendek said responsibilities he used to have to take care of alone are now split between the two.

“It has certainly pushed us to do things bigger and bigger,” said Sendek, who mentioned several animations on the stage during the production as well as puppets.

‘Elephant’s Graveyard’

The Veterans High School theater department will present “Elephant’s Graveyard” at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday in the school’s theater. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door.

“Elephant’s Graveyard” is based on the true story of Mary the Elephant, who was publicly hanged in 1916 in Erwin, Tenn., after killing her handler. After it was decided to hang her, Mary was attached to a crane by a chain around her neck. The crane then hoisted her up in the air. About 2,500 witnessed the execution.

‘Avenue Q: School Edition’

The Warner Robins High School theater department will present “Avenue Q: School Edition,” at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 and 3 p.m. Nov. 4. Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door.

“Avenue Q” is a Tony-winning musical about a young man, recently graduated from college, who moves to New York City. The play is famous for its use of puppet characters that interact with the human characters on stage.

‘Dog Day Afternoon’

Peach County High School will perform its play “Dog Day Afternoon,” at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday.

“The whole play is based on the premise of what occurs when house pets are left home alone and also explores that no matter how new an environment is, there are still some scars and some stories that are told through our pets,” said Jennifer Purvis, Peach County High drama director.

Tickets to Peach County High’s “Dog Day Afternoon” are $5 each. The show will be performed in the historic Austin Theatre in Fort Valley.

‘Looking Glass Land’

The Westfield School will present its public performance of “Looking Glass Land” by James DeVita, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 for adults and non-Westfield students. Kathy Stubbs, Upper School drama teacher, is directing the play, which is based on Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” and includes familiar characters like Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.

For information about any of the plays, contact the individual school directly.

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