Go See a Show -- It's One-Act Play Season!

It's 20-below, kids are dragging themselves to school at 6:30 a.m. to put on make-up -- it must be One-Act Play contest time! In the coming couple weeks, you'll have opportunities galore to see your kids overcoming stage fright, balky sound systems, and who knows what other challenges to put on some quality theater. On the calendar:

--This Sunday, expect a drama-rama around the area. Madison High School presents a public performance of its one-act drama, "Crying Out" by Mathew L. Hunt, at 2 p.m. at the MHS auditorium.

--Tuesday, Jan. 22, Beresford, Bon Homme, Dakota Valley, Elk Point-Jefferson, and Vermillion present their one-act dramas in the Region I-A contest at the Marion Auditorium on the Mount Marty Campus in Yankton.

--Wednesday, Jan. 23, Baltic, Dell Rapids Public, Garretson, Sioux Falls Christian, and Tri-Valley present their one-act dramas in the Region III-A contest at the Jeschke Fine Arts Center on the University of Sioux Falls campus.

--Also on Wednesday, Jan. 23, Madison hosts the Region IV-A One-Act Contest. Competing here that day with Madison will be Deubrook Area, Flandreau, Howard, McCook Central, and Milbank.

--The Brandon Valley Performing Arts Center (best house and staff in eastern South Dakota!) hosts two one-act contests next week as well: Wednesday, Jan. 23, Region II-A schools Canton, Harrisburg, Lennox, Parker, and Tea Area go head to head with their dramas.

--The next day brings Region I-B to Brandon, as Chester Area, Colman-Egan, Freeman Academy, Irene-Wakonda, Montrose, and Rutland stage the one-act comedies.

That's hardly the half of it: there are 12 Region One-Act contests going on around the state next week (B Regions III and VII have already done theirs this week!) All these schools are competing for the chance to perform at the State One-Act Festival at NSU in Aberdeen the following weekend, January 31-February 2.

I got to watch Colman-Egan's rehearsal this morning, and Mrs. Madville Times and I (and even Madville Times Jr.!) will get out to see Doc Miller's show in Madison this weekend. Then I'll be judging two of those contests, Region I-A in Yankton and Region III-A in Sioux Falls. It promises to be a really good week of theater. Plus, these shows are all free to the public! So sneak out of work for a bit, go get some culture, and cheer for those kids bustin' their chops on stage. Break a leg, kids!