CHS News
Entire CHS Cast Receives All Star Cast Honors
By Lisa Magers
Apr 2, 2009 - 3:52:25 PM

Cleburne High School has set a new standard in UIL One Act Play competition with its entire cast receiving All-Star Cast honors for their winning performance at Tuesday’s Zone contest.

All 14 members of the high school’s 2009 One Act Play entry, “The Insanity of Mary Girard,” received All Star awards from the judges with Julie Morrison, in the lead role, named Best Actress. Cleburne also received recognition for its work behind the scenes with Kristin Ray named Outstanding Technician.

Cleburne’s actors and actresses will return to the stage this evening at 6:15 as a qualifier in the UIL One Act Play District contest, which will be held at Ennis High School.

“I’ve never seen the entire cast receive All Cast honors in my 18 years teaching theatre,” said CHS theatre arts teacher Sally Maxey. “It’s unbelievable.”

Receiving All-Star Cast honors were Garrett Whitehead, Nicole McDonald, Seth Cunningham, Karissa Sloan, Kailee Lingo, Maressa Quinn, Callie Hardee, D.J. Patterson, Marshall Smith, Dash Maddox, Michael Oliver, Kellen Ray, Kaitlin McDonald and JoJo Starks.

“This play requires an ensemble cast,” Maxey said. “All 14 characters never leave the stage.”

Morrison, in the lead role of Mary Girard, describes the play as one that is very hard to do. The senior, who has been involved in UIL One Act Play competition since middle school, will be studying theatre arts in college and also has a semester of instruction on her resume from the New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts.

“We have a great cast and it’s a good play,” she said. “It’s very challenging. It’s the hardest part I’ve had. I still don’t think I’m fully into my character yet.”

Maxey said she chose “The Insanity of Mary Girard” in anticipation of this year’s cast.

“The reason I selected this play was because I felt it would be a challenge for Julie, who I knew would be studying theatre following graduation,” Maxey said. “I also knew I would have so many strong actors this year and wanted something in which they would all shine.”

Lanie Roberts’ “The Insanity of Mary Girard” is set in an insane asylum in the 1790s and is centered on Mary Girard, who is placed in the facility by her vengeful husband.

“It’s based on a true story,” Maxey said. “From what we have learned in our research, a doctor wrote the story on which the play is based. Mary had no mental illness at the time she was put in the asylum, but the experience drives her to insanity.”

A community performance of the play is being planned for later in April.