Rockmart to perform ‘The Little Prince’ for One Act play in 2017
The Little Prince and the Aviator made it out of the desert and are on the way to Rockmart High School's theatre for the upcoming One Act Play competition.
Each year, Rockmart High competes against other schools in the region by performing a play l asting only one act. Rockmart's tried and true choice is to perform dramas with some of their past performances winning both Regional and State in the competition. In 2012, RHS won the state competition with “When You Comin' Back Red Ryder” directed by Margaret Jacobs, RHS won first in region in 2013 with “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown” directed by Jacobs, RHS won first in region in 2014 with a performance of “Suddenly Last Summer” directed by Jacobs, RHS took second at r egion i n 2015 with “Proof” directed by James Schroeder, and the school took second at regions with their performance of “The Christians” directed by James Schroeder.
Despite their track record, Rockmart's decision to perform "The Little Prince" means they will be skipping the dark- er, more intense performance and trying their hand at a more upbeat, positive play.
The Little Prince is based on the novel by Antoine de Saint-Exupery that tells the tale of the galaxy traveling Little Prince who travels to earth only to find the Aviator stranded in the Sahara Desert. While there, the duo bond over the prince's stories of traveling the galaxy and the different characters he met along the way.
"I was all for the more lighthearted stuff. I think we have the cast and the talent to pull off something with a more positive message," said Ethan Gober. "The Little Prince is cool because it has lots of characters and they all represent something else. One character may have a sad message attached but the next might have something really uplifting. I think the play is giving us a bit of an edge this time around."
Director Stevi Reeves wasted no time casting the one act and the talented cast and crew were slated to begin rehearsing on Monday, Aug.t 21.
Here's a rundown of the main cast:
Ethan Gober will be performing as the artistic Aviator.
Rob Laltrello was cast as the titular The Little Prince.
Alli Streetman will be portraying the shy/friendly Rose/Fox.
Isaac Gober will be acting as the overconfident King.
Branson Lewis is the narcissistic Conceited Man.
Anna Snider seized the role of the very busy Business Man.
Sierra Post is the wellread Geographer.
Andrew Lumpkin will be portraying the enigmatic Snake.
Rayanna Shaw was cast as the selfless Lamplighter.
Mary Laltrello will be
portraying the talented Sketch Artist.
Rockmart's ensemble is not to be overlooked and features actors such as Jackson Norris, Adrian Locklear, Katelyn Borders, Kole Kimbro, Kady St o necypher, Chloe Green, Abby Fennell, Hanna Aiken, Sadie Jacobs, Makayla Smith, Payton Goodson, Isaac Gober, Branson Lewis, Anna Snider, Sierra Post, Rayanna Shaw, Mary Lalt r el l o, and Andrew Lumpkin.
Mattie Taylor and Hailee Brand are returning crew members and will be serving as the play's stage managers.
"I think the casting makes a lot of sense," said Snider. "Ethan and Alli probably have the most experience in the theatre, and Rob looks like he was born to be 'The Little Prince.'"
The One Act region winners will be decided by Oct. 20.
Should Rockmart take victory at the region level, the school's performance of The Little Prince will f ace off against other regions winners at the state level.
Rockmart traditionally performs the One Act play back home after the competition.