One-act at state NPHS makes first appearance since 1984
New Prague High School will be in Section 2AA State competition today (Thursday) with its one-act play. Student actors will perform at 4 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium on the campus of St. Catherine University in St. Paul.
It’s the first time since 1984 New Prague has been at State. The group advanced when it won the championship at the Section 2AA Finals with the comedic play "Sneak Thief" on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Chanhassen.
"The students turned in an outstanding performance, and ended up with a perfect score," said New Prague director Ben Thietje. "All three judges ranked them first."
He said it was especially impressive due to the fact that they were put up against the top productions in Section 2AA.
"The Grand Canyon could not contain the amount of pride I have for these kids. They were fantastic," said Thietje.
At the festival each production will be judged and publicly critiqued immediately following each performance. Each cast will attempt to achieve an exceptional rating known as a "starred performance."
The Spotlight on the Arts Award of Excellence will also be presented at the 2013 festival, a unique form of recognition for fine arts participants created by Wells Fargo, the League's premier corporate sponsor, in cooperation with the League. Each cast and crewmember of schools earning a "starred performance" rating will receive a handsome acrylic trophy incorporating the Spotlight on the Arts logo.
New Prague and other Section AA schools perform today at the State Festival. Others from Section AA are Eastview High School from Apple Valley, Little Falls, Park High School from Cottage Grove, Minnetonka, Cambridge-Isanti, Coon Rapids and Fridley. Section A schools perform on Friday, Feb. 8, at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium. There are tickets for a single session, which are two shows, or a daily pass.
