The Forsyth Central High drama department placed second in state Class AAAAA for its production of “Rashomon” during the recent one-act play competition in Perry.“We represented our school well at regionals and then got to go to the state competition, which was just an incredible opportunity for us,” said Adam Pingel, school drama director. “I was really happy with what they were able to do.“I’ve not seen these kids do anything quite like this before … it was heartfelt, they were believable, they were disciplined. It really was a college-level show.”The one-act play follows death of a samurai officer and includes tricky swordplay, for which Pingel said the school had to get special permission.“There’s a lot of action,” he said. “We actually received the approval to do some sword fights. It’s also an intellectually stimulating show and emotionally it’s a stimulating show.”Central was not the only school from Forsyth County to compete at the state competition.Lambert High also attended, having won first in its Class AAAAAA region for the production of “Little Women,” a full-length play the students cut down to one act.While Lambert did not place in its state classification, drama coach Charles Hyatt said it “was an honor and a privilege” to have taken part.The show had a cast and crew of 34 students, including a string quartet and piano player, which Hyatt said helped add a unique quality to the production.“It was unusual to do a full-length show and cut it down to a one act but they’re amazingly talented kids and we’re fortunate to have them here,” he said. “It’s really the kids who deserve the credit. They found the play, acted it and worked really hard during the fall to get it ready.”In Central’s production, Connor Wood, who won best actor at the regional level, earned all-star cast member at state.Pingel said he was proud of Wood, as well as all of the 10 cast and 17 crew members.He added that it also was exciting that two schools from Forsyth were selected to compete at the state competition.“In Forsyth, we’ve got a lot of very talented directors and a lot of very talented kids,” he said.
The Forsyth Central High drama department placed second in state Class AAAAA for its production of “Rashomon” during the recent one-act play competition in Perry.“We represented our school well at regionals and then got to go to the state competition, which was just an incredible opportunity for us,” said Adam Pingel, school drama director. “I was really happy with what they were able to do.“I’ve not seen these kids do anything quite like this before … it was heartfelt, they were believable, they were disciplined. It really was a college-level show.”The one-act play follows death of a samurai officer and includes tricky swordplay, for which Pingel said the school had to get special permission.“There’s a lot of action,” he said. “We actually received the approval to do some sword fights. It’s also an intellectually stimulating show and emotionally it’s a stimulating show.”Central was not the only school from Forsyth County to compete at the state competition.Lambert High also attended, having won first in its Class AAAAAA region for the production of “Little Women,” a full-length play the students cut down to one act.While Lambert did not place in its state classification, drama coach Charles Hyatt said it “was an honor and a privilege” to have taken part.The show had a cast and crew of 34 students, including a string quartet and piano player, which Hyatt said helped add a unique quality to the production.“It was unusual to do a full-length show and cut it down to a one act but they’re amazingly talented kids and we’re fortunate to have them here,” he said. “It’s really the kids who deserve the credit. They found the play, acted it and worked really hard during the fall to get it ready.”In Central’s production, Connor Wood, who won best actor at the regional level, earned all-star cast member at state.Pingel said he was proud of Wood, as well as all of the 10 cast and 17 crew members.He added that it also was exciting that two schools from Forsyth were selected to compete at the state competition.“In Forsyth, we’ve got a lot of very talented directors and a lot of very talented kids,” he said.