Fall Play 2020
ONE by ONE by Roger McCafferty
The circumstances surrounding the death of old lady Cross are mysterious. Nothing and nobody are what they seem to be, but there's one thing for sure -- everyone in the wildly dysfunctional Cross family circle is a suspect.
In this murder mystery, following the death of Mrs. Cross, ten people -- family, friends, and former employees of Mrs. Cross -- are invited to her secluded house on Cross Island (accessible only by boat). A poem written by our newly departed host tells what lies in store for each. Once all have arrived, each guest is accused of having gotten away with murder and then one drops dead---poisoned! The excitement never lets up until One by One the guests meet their demise. Who is our killer, but more importantly, who will survive?
Photo credit: ibrphotos
Photo credit: PBS mini-series of Then There Were None.
Play NewsThe play was written specifically for CHS the summer of 2010 with many prominenent roles for female actors. The play debuted in the Thomas F. Kelly Theatre that fall. Our current assistant play director, Jessica Appl, played the role of Laura Tyler in this production when she was in high school. The show was a success and seemed like a perfect fit for CHS this year with the Covid-19 issues. Owning the rights to this show means if we have to go to livestreamed performances it can be done easily with no addition cost or license required. Permission to livestream a show can be very costly.
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Audition ProcessAuditions will be held from 3:30 - 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 24th in TFK
1. Get an information packet from C122 that contains the following:
2. Read through the audition sides. They do not need to be memorized but the better you know them, the better your audition will go. We are looking for characters of varying ages. Practice. Practice. Practice. 3. Bring your completed form to the theatre with you at the scheduled audition time. Remember, auditions are your chance to impress the directors so be on your best behavior. Turn form in and find a seat near the stagefront and wait for further instructions. 4. Plan to stay for the entire audition. Depending on how many are auditioning, we may very well be finished early. We use the audition process to have actors read with many different actors to check for characterization and chemistry. If you have to leave early, you might miss out on being called up to read additional characters or lines. 5. Once the director's feel we have enough information and observations to cast the show, you will be dismissed from the audition. If you must leave before the end of the process, please let the directors know when you are leaving. 6. By auditioning for the show, you are agreeing to accept any role that you might be cast as. If there is any role in the show you do not want, you must cross it out on the audition form and you will not be considered for that role. |
As the show opens, Mrs. Cross has already been murdered. Knowing she might wind up dead, Mrs. Cross made arrangements for her attorney to invite the usual suspects to the island. Just who killed the old lady? If they killed once, will they kill again to keep the secret?
The Usual Suspects (and cast list)
Meet the Relatives
Jacob Usselman as Hayden Cross (the nephew) -- He is mid 20s, young, handsome, spoiled, rich, and not so bright. As a playboy, he has many secrets he wants to keep hidden.
Eric Jacobsen as Bennett Cross (the oldest brother) -- 60 years-old, a retired judge whose law partner died under questionable circumstances.
Hannah Gasperich as Miss Millie Cross (the spinster sister) -- 70 years-old, never married and very much a judgemental prude.
Kyanne Galbraith as Elsa Huffington-Cross (the ex-daughter-in-law) -- 45 years-old, was married to Mrs. Cross's son William, who drowned in the waters just outside of the island.
Alex Snell as Westin Cross (the other brother) -- 55 years-old, a retired detective who solved the kidnapping and murder of his own son many years ago.
Sylvia Cross (the sister-in-law) -- 55 years-old, married to Westin. A lost soul reeling from the loss of her only child long ago.
Meet the Outsiders
Helen Murray as Laura Tyler (the former caretaker) -- 40-50 years-old. She and her husband were caretakers for Mrs. Cross until they were abruptly fired 15 years ago.
Lincoln End of Horn as David Tyler (the former caretaker) -- 40-50 years-old. He has never gotten over the fact that Mrs. Cross fired them without warning.
Christine Crouch as Claire Cunningham (the ingenue) - 25 years-old. She is the secretary to Barkley Cross and was present when Barkley's partner mysteriously died.
Sadie Raap as Charlotte Allen (traveling companion) -- 21 years-old. She was hired by Emily cross to be a personal attendant and traveling companion. A hired servant.
Sam Pharris as Thomas (the new caretaker) -- He was hired to replace Laura and David to check on Mrs. Cross and deliver mail/supplies to the island from the mainland.
Kaleb Ringgenberg as Harry - a hired hand
Shawn Hepola as Pete - a hired hand
Kayleen Hermans as the voice of Mrs. Harlon Cross - the victim
The Usual Suspects (and cast list)
Meet the Relatives
Jacob Usselman as Hayden Cross (the nephew) -- He is mid 20s, young, handsome, spoiled, rich, and not so bright. As a playboy, he has many secrets he wants to keep hidden.
Eric Jacobsen as Bennett Cross (the oldest brother) -- 60 years-old, a retired judge whose law partner died under questionable circumstances.
Hannah Gasperich as Miss Millie Cross (the spinster sister) -- 70 years-old, never married and very much a judgemental prude.
Kyanne Galbraith as Elsa Huffington-Cross (the ex-daughter-in-law) -- 45 years-old, was married to Mrs. Cross's son William, who drowned in the waters just outside of the island.
Alex Snell as Westin Cross (the other brother) -- 55 years-old, a retired detective who solved the kidnapping and murder of his own son many years ago.
Sylvia Cross (the sister-in-law) -- 55 years-old, married to Westin. A lost soul reeling from the loss of her only child long ago.
Meet the Outsiders
Helen Murray as Laura Tyler (the former caretaker) -- 40-50 years-old. She and her husband were caretakers for Mrs. Cross until they were abruptly fired 15 years ago.
Lincoln End of Horn as David Tyler (the former caretaker) -- 40-50 years-old. He has never gotten over the fact that Mrs. Cross fired them without warning.
Christine Crouch as Claire Cunningham (the ingenue) - 25 years-old. She is the secretary to Barkley Cross and was present when Barkley's partner mysteriously died.
Sadie Raap as Charlotte Allen (traveling companion) -- 21 years-old. She was hired by Emily cross to be a personal attendant and traveling companion. A hired servant.
Sam Pharris as Thomas (the new caretaker) -- He was hired to replace Laura and David to check on Mrs. Cross and deliver mail/supplies to the island from the mainland.
Kaleb Ringgenberg as Harry - a hired hand
Shawn Hepola as Pete - a hired hand
Kayleen Hermans as the voice of Mrs. Harlon Cross - the victim
We will follow the Covid-19 Guidelines as best we can with this production.
Tryouts:
Tryouts:
- Temperatures will be taken and protocol questions will be asked of all students auditioning before they are allowed to enter the theatre.
- Students will social distance in the house of the theatre for the audition process.
- We will have specific areas marked onstage for actors to stand that will take into account social distancing.
- All actors auditioning for the show will be encouranged to wear masks if they so desire.
- Actors will NOT share scripts during the audition practice. Each student will receive a copy of the audition sides to use so they do not have to share.
- Temperatures will be taken and protocol questions will be asked of all students each rehearsal before they are allowed to enter the theatre.
- Social Distancing practices will be implemented for all rehearsals for the show.
- We will make every attempt to block the show with as little close contact as possible.
- Masks are not manditory but are encouraged as much as possible. (It is up to each actor to decide on this issue).
- Temperatures will be taken and protocol questions will be asked of all students each performance before they are allowed to enter the theatre.
- Social Distancing practices will be implemented for all performances backstage.
- Masks will not be worn during the performances on stage but are encouraged backstage as much as possible.
- The props and set pieces will be sanitized before and after each performance as much as possible.