Edmunds County Tribune -

Six schools performed in the 2024 Region 7B One-Act Play Contest in the Ipswich High School Theatre on January 17.

Schools participating were Faulkton, Selby, Timber Lake, Edmunds Central, Lemmon and Warner.

Three judges watched the performances. Judge critiques followed each play.

At the end of the day the superior performances were announced for each school. It was then announced that the top two performances were given by Edmunds Central and Timber Lake. They will advance to the SDHSAA State One-Act Festival in the Brandon Valley School in Brandon.

The Edmunds Central cast will perform at 12 noon on Thursday, Feb. 1. Each play has 45 minutes for the one-act performance. The awards will be performed as soon as possible after the final play and critiques at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3.

Tena Gibson

The cast and crew of "Nellie" after they were chosen a Regional winner, with their director Sandra Beyers, left.

Edmunds Central performed "Nellie" by Robby Steltz. The play is based on "Ten Days in a Madhouse" by Nellie Bly, a 19th century journalist. During her 10-day stay in an asylum, Bly witnessed horrifying conditions of neglect and abuse of the patients, some of whom were mentally ill and needed professional care, and others who were sent there by family members or were suffering from physical ailments. The Edmunds Central actors performed several of the patients, as well as staff members.

Edmunds Central actors recognized for their Regional performance were Grace Roth (Nellie Bly), Kelsey Lehr (asylum administer Miss Grupe), and Kearstin Pietz and Sophia Kroll, inmates.

The play director is Sandra Beyers.

Cast members are Grace Roth as Nellie Bly; Kelsey Lehr, Eden Weiland and Theodore Haerter were Blackwell Island Asylum staff members. Playing inmates were Sophia Kroll, Iana Weiland, Lily Roth, Alanna Wiedrich, Kearstin Pietz, and Kelsey Sowards. Crew members are Joclyn Vargason, Kenzie Aman, Rylee Orr and Chase Bukaske.