The Minnesota State High School League's one-act play festival returns to St. Catherine University in St. Paul this week to showcase some of this year's best student theatrical performances.
The annual event has been using the arts to encourage student engagement with their schools and their peers from across the state since 1949.
"[The one-act festival] gets to different kids and gets them involved," said Chris Franson, assistant director of the State High School League. The fine arts offer students not interested in sports an alternative outlet to be involved in bonding experiences, he said.
Finalists from 16 schools — including Robbinsdale Cooper in the north metro — will perform, with hopes of being awarded one of the festival's star ratings and Wells Fargo's Spotlight on the Arts award. Making it to the state level is already an accomplishment, however.
"Some teams have to beat 10 to 15 to 25 schools to get here," Franson said.
The Robbinsdale Cooper team, directed by alumna Rachel Brady, takes the state stage on Thursday for the first time in 29 years. Its production of "La Dispute," a "battle of the sexes" comedy, secured the team's spot.
"My goal as director was to create the best production we possibly could and not worry about the competition aspect," Brady said. It's a validation of the work to have the students recognized, she said.
A year ago, Fridley High School's team was in a similar position, capturing its first star at state since 1979. "The key to getting to state is starting with a script that's really powerful and a cast that can handle it," director Kevin Dutcher said. "Last year we had that."
