Coming back to high school after graduating is not something that happens to everyone. But for SFHS Alumni Chloe Betterman, it’s happened twice.
Since last year, the St. Francis Theater department has hired a new One Act director to come in and help out for the winter competition season. Fresh out of high school, Betterman was contacted by the SFHS Drama Director, Glenn Morehouse Olson, and asked to come back to the theater and be a guest director.
“She had an amazing opportunity to direct at Bethel University,” said Betterman, ”and unfortunately would not be able to direct one act for the high school.”
This year’s winter competition one act is a play called “The Price” by Don Zolidis. Based on the Hans Christian Anderson story “A Tale Of A Mother”, the story follows the sacrifices a mother makes for her daughter, who was taken by death. Knowing this, the competition cast and crew were ecstatic to hear that Betterman was going to be their director again for another season.
I love one act,” said junior Elena Larsen, featured as The Mother, “The community is just awesome and people are so nice in it. I just have a great time every day at rehearsal.”
Being a young adult herself, Betterman brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to the team and cast, making sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to, while also having fun.
“It’s actually been really really fun,” said sophomore Jessami Clarke, who plays Fir Tree #2, “probably like my favorite cast I’ve been with ever.”
Betterman really loved one act in high school and was in it for four years, becoming a leader who performed on stage, as well as with the technical aspects like building the set. She also directed scenes in the fall play her senior year which made Morehouse Olson believe Betterman had the skills she needed to be successful.
“I had really loved it in high school and she thought I was the best person to ask,” said Betterman. “I said yes, and now I am here.”
The SFHS One Act received fourth place in final section competition, and also received Mississippi 8 All Conference Awards including: Silver Academic, starred performance, Honorable Mention Tech Broc Vierzba, Quinn Lemke, Gavin Dommer and All Conference Technical Award Hailey Gilles. All Conference Honorable Mention Acting was awarded to Ameliya Yang and Mark Petcoff. All Conference Acting was awarded to Elena Larsen, Zoey Karaschin and Jessami Clarke.
