Three Class A productions receive ‘starred performance’ ratings

After watching and then individually critiquing eight Class A dramatic productions, a panel of judges rated three of them “starred performances” on Friday, February 11. The 74th One Act Play State Festival was held at the O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul.

The three Class A productions that earned “starred” ratings were: Belle Plaine for Mill Girls, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton for Almost, Maine and Sauk Centre for Dark Road. Other schools participating in the Class A festival were Plainview-Elgin-Millville, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, St. Paul Academy and Summit School, Esko and Bagley.

Representing Section 2, Belle Plaine’s “starred performance” of Mill Girls by Eliza Anderson was directed by Tony Hartmann and Dylan O’Brien. This was the 17th “starred” rating for the Tigers, who were making their 18th appearance. Belle Plaine’s previous “stars” came in 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Representing Section 5, Sauk Centre’s “starred performance” of Dark Road was directed by Margaret Shelby. The play was written by Laura Lungren Smith. The Mainstreeters were making their 11th festival appearance and earned previous “stars” in 1975, 1976, 2007, 2013 and 2015.

Representing Section 6, Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton’s “starred performance” of Almost, Maine by John Cariani was directed by Andrew Malvin and David Eilertson. Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton was making its first festival appearance.

The Minnesota State High School League State One Act Play Festival does not involve direct competition. Judges rate the plays according to specific criteria, including pace, blocking, costuming, and projection of the play’s meaning. Each production is limited to 10 minutes of stage preparation and 35 minutes of actual performance.

“Starred performance” ratings are determined by private balloting of the judges. One school from each of eight sections in each class gets to perform at the state level.