Hosting the IHSA state tournament for Drama is a big accomplishment for Sterling High School. A bigger accomplishment is both contest play and group interpretation going to state finals after contest play not making it for more than five years.
With hosting the state tournament and approximately 2,000 people attending the event, the staff wanted everyone to feel comfortable while they were here.
Group Interpretation director Weston Henry shared, “We had many volunteers to help and we made sure that everyone got answers if they were questioning anything.”
In order for everything to run smoothly, technical director Kyle Morgan ensured that all performances ran well and stayed on time. For reference, contes play has a 15-minute truck unload, 15 minutes to set lighting and sound cues, and a combined 20 minutes to assemble and set up the show, and to take down, with five minutes to get their show back into the truck.
Despite the stress of hosting the state tournaments, S.H.S. received much positive feedback about the campus and facilities. People seemed to be very surprised at what Sterling had to offer.
With hosting the state tournament, it was very different for people who have made state before.
Junior Rileigh Wren said, “I really liked being at home for state considering that we didn’t have to miss school and it made transportation easier.” having the experience of hosting state gave all the cast members a chance to really show school spirit for SHS.
With all these factors going into both performances, Junior Ashton Stange liked about their performance was “when I jumped off the blocks and into the cast’s arms like a big trust jump. The gasp from the audience and the adrenaline leading up to it made it so enjoyable.” This was a big trust aspect for the group to ensure no one got hurt.
With everything that it takes to host the state tournament, all the cast and facility were really proud of how things flowed and ran, keeping everything smooth and efficient.
