The Gretna One Act program is known for its long history of consistently being one of the top dogs in the state, and this year is no different. The group won its district competition this past Saturday, December 6, hosted at GHS. Only the top two schools at each of the three district competitions qualify for the State One Act competition, and the Dragons will be one of six schools traveling to Norfolk to compete in Class A on Friday.
Directed by Brooke Meador and written by Jenny Long, this year’s one act is “The Hangings at Mercy Hollow,” and it follows the story of a small town during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. Throughout the play, innocent citizens are accused of witchcraft and sentenced to hanging by the Reverend as different characters are introduced. Ultimately, it is a story of tragedy and, towards the end, chaos.
Junior Peyton Hammond, who plays the role of Reverend Reuben Edwards, has learned to embrace the somewhat dire nature of this year’s one act.
“This year we’ve had judges talk about how much they love the play and how it scared the crap out of them,” Hammond said. “And that’s truly what we’re aiming for with this play, to put a new perspective on things. And we want it to be something that’s saddening and frightening because that was the reality back in those times.”
Looking ahead to the state competition, Gretna will have some tough but familiar competition, as they will face Gretna East for the second time. Earlier this season, Gretna East won the EMC Competition, and Gretna took second place.
“In all reality, I think it’ll probably come down to us and East us,” Hammond said. “Obviously, I do hope the judges like us the best and that we win, but I won’t be mad if we lose to them.”
Within the program, this type of positive and humble mindset is something that has been cultivated and emphasized by the directors.
Gretna will perform on Friday, 11:30 a.m. at Norfolk High School’s Johnny Carson Theater.
