Adrian High School launching student-led One Act Festival later this month

Brad Heineman, The Daily Telegram
·4 min read

ADRIAN — There are several fine arts events upcoming across the Adrian Public Schools district including a new One Act Festival starting in February and helmed by Adrian High School theater students.

As the name suggests, the One Act Festival will be a collection of one-act plays, which are described by Adrian Public Schools as dramatic works of art that tell a story in one act, within a 20–30-minute span of time.

The one act shows will hit the stage at 2 p.m. Feb. 17, in Adrian High School’s Julianne and George Argyros Performing Arts Center. The performances will be open to the public. Admission is free and donations for the drama program will be accepted at the door.

"Our first student directed One Act Festival is a long-time idea, finally brought to life,” said Emily Gifford, APS theater manager, who also serves as an adviser for the One Act Festival. “Many of the directors have acted as assistants with our middle school and elementary productions, and they are more than ready for this opportunity.”

Any Adrian junior or senior student was able to apply for the program and seven directors were chosen, a news release from Adrian Public Schools said. The One Act Festival provides students with the full directorial experience including running auditions, making casting choices, creating a rehearsal schedule and ultimately bringing their chosen show to life.

“It is rare for students to have this level of in-depth experience before college,” Gifford said. “This group of students has a remarkable amount of talent and passion to share. Like all the challenging things we do in our theater program, I am confident this will bolster their unique and extensive skill sets.”

More: Highlights heard during report about fine arts programming at Adrian Public Schools

Aiden Ketola, AHS junior is the director of the one act play titled “Speed Date.” He said he is “very excited” about the One Act Festival.

“I feel like it gives students an opportunity to grow with their peers being directed by their peers,” he said in the news release. “With this being my first time directing, I am facing multiple challenges. When it comes to my cast, however, I know they have my back, and I have theirs, and together we will grow not only as actors and directors but as people.”

“To Burn a Witch” is directed by another Adrian junior, Lila Brighton, who said the new One Act Festival “really exemplifies how celebrated theater is here at AHS.”

“Having transferred here this year, for theater itself, all my hopes for an amazing program with amazing opportunities were exceeded,” she said. “I am an actress first, with a wild imagination and many ideas. Taking a one act that on paper may not read easily, and translating it into a staged, and easily understood work is a challenge, but it lends itself to so much creativity.

“... Theater has taught me so much about expressing myself freely, and I hope to help others express themselves too,” she said.

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Before the One Act Festival even hits the stage in almost two weeks, Adrian Public Schools will host plenty of fine arts programs and shows, all of which are open to the public. Here is a list of some of those fine arts events happening through mid-April:

  • Now through Saturday, Feb. 3: “Seussical, Jr.,” presented by Springbrook Middle School.

  • Wednesday, Feb. 7: Adrian High School choir pre-festival concert.

  • Feb. 13: Seventh through 12th grade pre-festival orchestra concert.

  • Feb. 15: Seventh through 12th grade pre-festival band concert.

  • Feb. 17: Adrian High School One Act Festival.

  • Feb. 27: Springbrook Middle School pre-festival choir concert.

  • March 8-9: Adrian High School Balladiers Showcase.

  • March 12: Adrian High School jazz festival.

  • March 15: “Junie B. Jones, the Musical” presented by the Alexander Elementary School Drama Club.

  • March 19: Arts and Athletics kindergarten expo.

  • April 18-21: “The Addams Family” presented by Adrian High School.

To learn more about these upcoming fine arts programs or for additional information, visit the Adrian Maples Fine Arts Facebook page or the Adrian Public Schools district website at adrianmaples.org.

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Adrian High School launching inaugural student-led One Act Festival