People are running all around, moving props, and setting up the set. Some people are smiling, obviously excited and ready to get the show started. Other people look as if they are about to get sick, they are so nervous. Behind the noise of feet shuffling along and setting everything up, a dull roar can be heard on the other side of the curtain. If you stop to think about it, you remember that there is an entire audience behind that curtain, waiting to see and judge your play. Perhaps this excites you more; perhaps it simply makes you want to regurgitate that sandwich you just ate for lunch. All of a sudden everything is ready and a voice is heard announcing your play and the curtain goes up. The show has finally begun!

These are the feelings that we of M.A.D, or Monmouth Academy Drama, were feeling on March 7. That was the day that we participated in the One Acts Festival, held this year at Leavitt High School. At 8:30 in the morning we all met up and headed off to the festival, excited and ready to perform. However, once we got to the high school, we still had a while to wait before we were able to perform our play. First we had the opportunity to go to a stage combat workshop, and had the chance to see a bit of the behind-the-scenes work that is often done on movie sets, work that is usually done by stunt doubles. The workshop was long enough that by the time it ended, everyone was hungry, and ready for some energy food.

Then finally we got to the afternoon shows! Monmouth was able to watch two of them, and then it was time to get ready for our show! Finally, after a morning of nerves and excitement, we got to perform the play we ourselves wrote called “40:01.” The lights went down, and when they came on again, we were out there showing everyone our performance. The beginning was a bit rough, but soon we all calmed down and put on the best performance of “40:01” that we have ever had. By the end of it we were all thrilled with ourselves and each other, and as soon as we were done everyone was hugging and jumping up and down or just smiling very hard. We were all very proud.

However, when the judging and awards ceremony came around, we were all a bit nervous again. We all knew we did fine, but there was still the wonder of just how well did we do exactly? Well, it must have been pretty darn good, because next thing any of us knew we were walking-up on stage to accept the second place trophy for the Class B schools! In first place was Winthrop with their play called, “String Theory,’ and for the Class A schools, Leavitt came in second with their play, “The Cop and the Anthem,” and Fryeburg came in first with their show, “Icarus.” There’s no doubt that this year’s One Act Festival was the best that M.A.D. has ever had, and we’re all looking forward to next year’s! Thank you Leavitt, for hosting a wonderful time, and thanks to everyone that helped make the festival possible, including all of the students in the many different plays!