Lennox One Act heads to State after Region 2A win

The Lennox High School One Act cast and crew earned top honors at the Region 2A competition last Tuesday, Jan. 27, capturing first place with their production of Miss Matched by Sean Cercone. With the regional win, Lennox has qualified for the State One Act Play Festival, which will be held Feb. 5–7 at Brandon Valley High School.

Directed by Christi Sayler, the Lennox group competed against three other schools and impressed judges with what Sayler described as their strongest performance of the season.

“We have a lot of new-to-the-stage students as well as some solid veterans, so I wasn’t really sure how we would do this year,” Sayler said. “I knew the kids could give a solid performance and that we had a good script, but you just never know how you are going to do on that day or what the other schools will bring to the table or how the judges will like your interpretation.”

Sayler noted that the subjective nature of theater adds to the uncertainty of competition. 

“Art is subjective, so one judge might love your interpretation of the script and another might not like it at all. At the end of the day, the kids just have to give the best they have and hope it’s enough. Our kids definitely gave their best performance so far.”

All four schools delivered strong performances, making the regional win especially meaningful. 

“To be chosen as the region winner was really exciting,” Sayler said.

In preparation for state, the cast will continue rehearsing and refining their performance. 

“We are going to spend the next few rehearsals before state changing and tweaking a few things based on the judges’ comments, as well as polishing up a few areas we could improve,” Sayler said. “Hopefully we will give a superior-worthy performance next Thursday.”

Lennox will perform at the State One Act Festival on Thursday, Feb. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Brandon Valley High School. Admission is free, and community members are encouraged to attend and support the students.

Receiving individual acting awards at Regions were earned by Karsen Iken, Isaak Booker, Maddigan Van Sickle, Ariana Poppens, Miriam Welch, Isaiah Sayler, and Duncan Johnson.

This year’s production marks a shift in tone for Lennox One Act. Miss Matched, published by Dramallama, is a comedy—quite different from the dramas the group has performed the past three years.

The play is set in an abandoned greenhouse behind Everwood Academy, where Piper launches her matchmaking service, “Miss Matched,” in an attempt to “solve love at Everwood.” Using an algorithm she created, Piper and her partner Calvin promise to find perfect matches for classmates before the school dance. As expected, things do not go as planned, leading to comedic chaos and a surprise ending even Piper didn’t see coming.

Cast and Crew for Miss Matched

• Leo Aesoph — Toby

• Evan Atkins — Felix

• Isaak Booker — Derek

• Liz Hanisch — Natalie

• James Hermanson — Tyler

• Emersen Lee — Sophia

• Karissa Iken — Mia

• Karson Iken — Lyle

• Duncan Johnson — Gavin

• Olivia Johnson — Kendra

• Noah Oien — Aaron

• Madix Oltmanns — DJ Spinsanity

• Ariana Poppens — Cassie

• Isaiah Sayler — Calvin

• Isabelle Smith — Becca

• Maddigan Van Sickle — Daisy Lou

• Miriam Welch — Piper

Stage Manager: Andie Brende

Crew: Lucy Carlson, Lincoln Allie, Kaydence Gerry, Natalie Aesoph

Lights: Jacob Carlson

Spotlights: Sophia Wood, Harper Lee

Sound: Chase Hazuka