Drama Club keeps theological locomotive on tracks with State looming ahead

Sock’N’Buskin rode the victory train to sectionals with this year’s One Act Play: ‘Tracks.’ Written and published by Peter Tarsi, the story revolves around 10 strangers trapped in a mysterious subway station. Through investigative efforts, they find out they’re all dead and must find out whether their train is destined for heaven… or hell. 

Each year the drama club performs a one act play to be judged against other schools in a race to state, where they then have the opportunity to earn awards. The cast and crew are granted 40 minutes to set their stage, perform, and then strike the set. With this comes challenges, specifically for the actors themselves.

“It’s hard because the show is only 40 minutes,” said junior Addison Peck. “So it’s difficult to get in touch with the character in such a short amount of time.”

Senior Julian Dedow also has to deal with some challenges.

“We’re on stage the whole time,” he said. “We don’t get a break, so we have to be acting at every moment. It’s challenging to keep the act up for that long.” 

Tracks, like any play, requires a serious commitment from the actors to be one with their parts. 

“There’s not a super dynamic plot for Tracks,” drama director and wiki-wiki-Wildcat extraordinaire Scotti Thurwatcher said. “So for this one especially, it’s important that everyone is in touch with their individual story.” 

Ten unique characters drive the plot of Tracks with their struggles, lives, and regrets forming their personalities. This leaves the show’s performance at district, sectionals, and state resting on the actor’s shoulders. They can’t rely on a detailed plot point or dramatic spectacle but instead have to captivate the audience for 40 minutes using their words and their actions. 

Despite this pressure, the entire cast is dedicated to putting on the best show possible, according to junior Angelina Vu.

“I hold myself to the same really high standard,” she said. “But I think it’s fun to create a backstory for your character. My character is a prosecutor, she’s 30 years old, and she’s single. I imagine her just hating everybody.” 

Peck has also undergone a transformation to become her character. 

“My character is a mother, but she hasn’t been there for her kids and has a lot of guilt about that,” she said. 

However, actors aren’t the only ones struggling to stay afloat in the drowning world of competitive drama. The stage crew is an essential part of the One-Act process as they keep the play on track and on time. With such a small cast, stage crew has to take the forefront of the setup and striking. Junior, first-year Sock’N’Buskin stage crew worker Cas Boerner has had to face some challenges.

“It’s hard to get in the groove of working with the rest of the stage crew,” he said.

With such a teamwork-oriented task, it’s essential to establish communication. The stage crew has to prepare the entire show and monitor it in the most time-efficient way possible. 

“The most challenging for a fresh stage crew is trying to get everything out and do our best in a short period of time,” Boerner said. 

In the meanwhile, Thurwatcher faces challenges unique to this year.

“This might be the first time ever, in any show I’ve ever directed, where our stage crew is larger than the cast,” he said. “It’s difficult getting people to commit to this show, the process, and rehearsals because of the size.”

For context, the stage crew for Tracks is twice the size of Little Women’s crew from last spring, which was significantly longer. Yet, the smaller size of the actual cast is proving to be an advantage for the group. 

“We have a small and talented cast that’s very dedicated,” Vu said. “So I’m really hoping for state.”

Assisting Thurwatcher this year is senior Abigail Wianecki serving as stage manager. Wianecki is responsible for managing the set while working under Thurwatcher’s command, a job that she finds to be worth the stress. 

“For all the work that we do, the payoff is really rewarding,” she said.

Most of the cast and crew are hopeful about the possibility of returning to state after two years. Peck has her doubts but is still looking forward to the chance.

“Last year, I had really high hopes,” she said. “So, I’m trying to lower my expectations. Regardless, I’m honestly very excited and hopeful for this year.”

For Thurwatcher, the extra time to grow is beneficial and a key to success. 

“I think with the amount of time we have yet to grow, I think our chances are pretty darn good.”

Tracks will be open on November 11 and 12 in Alberta Kimball auditorium for all to see. Students get in free and it will be partnered with the West variety show, a talent show featuring skits. 

The Sock’N’Buskin drama club has plenty of coal left to keep fueling their train to state, but the question remains if they can take back their award-winning prestige. For Wianecki and the rest of the crew, however, their faith holds firm.

“We have a really good cast this year,” she said. “We’re hopeful.”

By Marcus Miller

Oshkosh West index Volume 119 Issue II

October 31 2022