School: Greenwood H.S. – One Act Play Goes to State (2022)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Elmer, Durrstein, Thomas, Travis, Loftin

----Source: TRG (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 26 Oct 2022

GHS taking Dust Bowl period play to sectional level

Greenwood High School drama department is preparing for the Wisconsin High school theater 1-act competition season with a play called “Dirt” by Mandy Conner.

Auditions began the third day of school in late August and since then, 6:30 a.m. practices have been underway to bring the production to life.

Jo Elmer is once again directing with hopes of taking this production to the state competition for the third year in a row. This is the first time Elmer has attempted a period piece. The drama takes place in 1935 Dust Bowl Texas. It follows the extended Loftin family through the trials and tribulations of surviving the harsh conditions, while dealing with family dynamics.

Matriarch Edith, played by Destiny Durrstein, already works a night job at the Post Office to help feed the household of 10, while her husband, Lloyd, played by senior Christian Thomas, struggles to run their farm with an injured leg and as the behavior of the oldest son, played by Rogan Travis, grows increasingly erratic. Once the dust storms hit, not only do the Loftins suffer a devastating loss among their own, they also face the loss of their farm.

Though Edith is sent reeling, she must find a way to move forward somehow. But where is hope to be found? A moment in American history sets the stage for this personal drama about finding purpose amid overwhelming disaster.

Elmer is excited to navigate the competitions without COVID precautions, as has been the last two years. The challenge this year is attempting to keep true to the time period of the 1930s Depression era.

“I’m also hoping that the kids are learning a little history along the way,” Elmer said. “These were tough times, but I think the people were tougher also.”

Death was more common place, and hope, love, and family were the only things to hang your hat on at the end of the day.

Greenwood advanced though the District competition held at Eau Claire Regis High School on Oct. 17. Sectional competition will be held Nov. 1-2 at the Pablo Confluence Center, with UW-Whitewater hosting the state competition Nov. 18-19.

The public is invited to the community performance at the Greenwood High School Cafetorium on Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.