Submitted photo The 2018 Rugby High School One Act play team. BACK ROW (left to right): Lillian Schmidt, Lylla Grice, Zackary Grice, Kate Heidlebaugh, Zarah Mae Keenan FRONT ROW: Amber Selensky, Melody Johnson, Emilee Linstrom, Katelyn Duchscher, Amy Volk and Sasha Klein.

Performing the play “The Trojan Women,” Rugby High School’s Drama team took 1st place in the Region IV Class B One Act Play contest, held Nov. 1 in Rugby High’s auditorium.

Director Jill Roberts, who was named Coach of the Year at the event along with Angel Opdahl of Harvey-Wells County, smiled as members of the team described their mood as “excited” during an after-school practice last week.

Roberts said the team will move on to the State One Act Play competition in Jamestown, to be held November 19-20.

Snow Tuesday and other activities made their practices for State a bit difficult; Roberts spoke with two cast members dressed for cheerleading practice and indicated some were at basketball practice as the team gathered in the auditorium for a rehearsal. Nonetheless, the team exuded confidence.

“We’re ready (for the competition),” said member Kate Heidlebaugh “We’re just polishing up some things.”

“We’re just working on a lot of things we can improve upon,” fellow cast member Katelyn Duchscher chimed in.

As the small group organized themselves and discussed what to practice, Roberts suggested, “Why don’t you do Andromache?”

The team members took their places, the room grew quiet, and Melody Johnson entered the stage with Heidlebaugh. Johnson cradled a doll, weeping as her character agonized over turning her infant son over to Greek authorities.

The raw grief of the scene quieted the activity in the dark theater, and the players finished their short performance, as physically drained as anyone involved in athletic competition.

And as with any activity, the One Act Play competition will keep the team busy.

“It’s Monday and Tuesday of the week of Thanksgiving. They don’t have school Thursday or Friday, either. They’re going to come to school Wednesday, and that’s it,” Roberts said.