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Wausmond One Act troupe claims L&C Conference title

WAUSA — A new co-op between Wausa and Osmond has created an interesting One Act group that goes by ‘Wausmond.’

“When Osmond came to us and didn’t have a director and asked to co-op one of the things we thought of was to go back to a comedy because it is a good way to bring kids in,” said director Brad Hoesing.

Wausmond is performing ‘Mrs. Bob Cratchet’s Wild Christmas Binge’ this year, It is the first time in a while that Hoesing’s wife Sheila has not written the script for the school’s One Act performance.

The play seemed to go off without a hitch as the local One Act troupe won last week’s Lewis and Clark Conference One Act title, edging out Hartington-Newcastle for the title.

With the co-op comes a class jump. Last year, Wausa was in Class D1, and this year things change with Wausmond jumping to Class C1. Overall though, Hoesing does not seem worried, saying regardless of the class the process of putting together a performance is still the same.

“I think that preparation is key,” said Hoesing. “Just continue to prep and get better. That is kind of where we are at, just don’t leave much to chance, put the best product up on the stage, and that is really all that you can do.”

The co-op also brings additional students into the production. Wausmond has 82 total students either on stage or as part of the crew this year.

As for this year’s production, with extra students comes extra roles and more that can be done to bring the play to life. It also means some students may have to take smaller parts, but Osmond senior Nick Reikofski says this has been his favorite year of One Act.

“I really enjoy it,” said Reikofski. “I enjoy the commitment of it more. There are a lot more people that are into it, it is a bigger group which is a lot more enjoyable to be with, and everyone works hard to be the best we can be.”

The Osmond senior also did not shy away when asked about expectations that are had for this year’s One Act group.

“Obviously the first goal is to win State,” said Reikofski. “Wausa has this awesome streak going and I would hate to be the group to end it since we came over. So obviously win State, but mainly to put on a good performance that the public will like.”

Wausa had won 11 of the past 12 One Act State Championships. Wausa won in Class D2 from 2007-2010, then the school finished in third in its first year in Class D1 before winning six straight, including last year. Comparatively, Osmond has only qualified for State once, back in 2010 in Class C2.

Wausa senior Paige Nissen plays Mrs. Bob Cratchet and she says adding Osmond has brought a great rejuvenation to the preparation process.

“It’s pretty refreshing,” said Nissen. “It is nice to get some new talents in here and see what else we can make happen with our plays.”

Nissen knows that with the bump up to Class C1 the pressure is on, but she echoed sentiments from Hoesing about how preparation is key to success.

“We definitely know we have to step it up going into a bigger class. We know the competition we are going to be seeing is not easy and it is going to be a struggle but we are in it for the long haul.”

Wausmond won the Lewis & Clark Conference competition, topping runner-up Hartington-Newcastle on November 13th. The co-op now prepares for the District C1-3 competition on November 27 at Stanton High School. Wausmond will compete with Wakefield, Winnebago, Stanton, Norfolk Catholic, Ponca, Battle Creek, Homer, and Crofton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WAUSA — Wausa took its first step toward more state championship hardware last week.

The local One Act Play troupe won last week’s Lewis and Clark Conference One Act title, edging out Hartington-Newcastle for the title.

This is the first year that Wausa and Osmond have combined for One Act competition, with the group known as “Wausmond.”

District competition will be held in Stanton on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Co-oping the two schools together has pushed Wausmond into Class C this year. The District champion will advance to State competition.

Directors Brad and Sheila Hoesing believe joining with Osmond has been beneficial for all students and both communities.

“We’re going to show everyone what can happen when kids work really hard and commit to something,” they said.

Wausmond performed at the Lewis & Clark Conference in Wausa Nov. 13, and placed first out of eight schools.

One of the two best actor awards went to Tyler Baue. Paige Nissan and Kaitlyn Kumm were awarded the two best actress awards. Tyler Baue, Brandi Gansebom, Kaitlyn Kumm, Taylor Kumm, Ainsley Nelson, Esther Nelson, Paige Nissan, Diandra Polt, Jailynn Story and Melanie Vanness received outstanding actor and actress awards.

After months of hard work and long practices, Wausmond debuted their first performance at the Swedish One-Act Festival in Wausa on Nov. 9.

The group then hosted Pop, Popcorn and a Play on Saturday, Nov. 10, also in Wausa, performing “Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge.”

A benefit performance was held Sunday night, Nov. 18, for the Nissan family in Wausa.

 

 

 

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