Instead they mention their school time as “Tartuffe,” “Suessical” or “Ruthless.”
It makes sense once you realize that even with all their academics and other activities combined, theater is what they live for.
“I’m so impressed with their determination to further their theater experience,” said Natasha Tolleson, head of the school’s theater department. “A lot of them have gone all across the United States auditioning. They are very serious about finding a really good school to continue their education.”
But first they have to make their way through the annual 5A UIL One-Act Play competition. The cast and crew will take “Anna Karenina” to the stage 3 p.m. Tuesday at Copperas Cove High School for the Zone Competition. The top two teams from zone will then compete at the district level on Friday at the Cultural Activities Center.
Temple High was second runner-up last year at the state contest in 2008 with “Valhalla.” In 2007, the troupe were state champions with “Ruthless.” The team has also won 16 straight district co-championships.
Even with a long line of success backing them up, the students of the theater department are not resting on the previous accomplishments.
The story of “Anna Karenina” by Russian writer Leo Tolstoy is a tragic one filled with affairs, suicide and hypocrisy. Not exactly teenage stuff, but it’s something the cast and crew have been working for.
“I think we’ve been preparing for it this whole year,” said Shalyssa Wright, a senior who performs as Princess Betsy.
This year the department has performed in the classic tale “Pride and Prejudice” and the Broadway musical “Into the Woods.” Both plays take a certain amount of maturity to stage and “Anna Karenina” seems to be the next step up.
“It’s the most different one act production that I’ve done in the four years I’ve been doing theater,” said Alex Tolleson, a senior who performs as Dolly.
“I feel honored that (Ms. Tolleson) picked this show for us,” Miss Wright said. “Because she believes we’re capable of it.”
Capable may be an understatement after talking to the seniors of the one-act play. Each one of them plans to continue their theater education after high school.
Sarah Jo White is the costume mistress for “Anna Karenina.” She has been in the department since her sophomore year and worked on costumes in nearly every production since then.
“It’s what I want to do in college,” said Miss White. “Study costume design.”
Joe Jaworski acts as Levin on the stage and is also interested in the technical aspects of theater. Jaworski manages to balance his time between the swim team and the stage. After college, he to support himself with acting.
“I want to be able to keep acting and auditioning and being in the business,” Jaworski said.
All of that is in the future for now, because these students are focused on the task at hand, getting “Anna Karenina” on the stage.
“It’s cool to start with a blank stage at the beginning of the production and then work on it and come up with a masterpiece,” said Nathan Graham.
Ms. Tolleson has done her part by giving them the instruction she hopes will allow them to perform at their highest level.
“When I’m as picky as I am and get onto them for things, a lot of that is just so I feel like I haven’t left anything unsaid,” Ms. Tolleson said. “Once the show starts my job is sort of over. They’ve got to breathe life into the show and take that responsibility.”
Her students are more than ready for the challenge.
“It’s what we’re all here for. It’s what we do,” Miss White said. “Other things are extra.”
