On Your Marks, Get Set, Act!

Quinn Collins

     After waiting nearly an entire year, theater nerds everywhere are excited to jump back into the Fall Play season. This yearly one act play has been to state two of the last three years and actors are hoping they can make it once more. Student Director Molly Otto (‘19) has been an integral part of the play for four years, and wanted to share some words of wisdom with The Voice.
     As student director, Otto’s main responsibilities are to make sure actors know their lines, and to make scenes look good from the audience’s perspective. This hasn’t always been the case, as she says, “I’ve seen it become a lot more of a student-led project over the years.” She also shared some of the reasons fall play is unique. This play may only last one act, but at competition, it represents Platteville to all of Wisconsin. The play is judged in a very similar way to many Forensics events. Otto says some of the most important criteria are memorization, set design, and character portrayal.      With so much pressure to do well, the task of performing a show every year can be quite daunting. Why do actors come flooding back every year? Otto believes, “If you feel like you haven’t gotten a good chance to make a bunch of friends yet, this is a small community that kind of becomes your family at school.” The fall play family is always looking to grow: “If you really like theater, join fall play. If you don’t like theater, join fall play. Fall play is so much fun, and we’ll teach you how to act.” While casting is done for the 2018 season, Fall 2019 will feature a new student director and a newly renewed dream for state. Fall play has seen many changes throughout the years, but the drive and passion of the actors will never truly change.