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One Act Play troupe takes GISA 1-AAAA Championship

Tallulah Falls School's thespian troupe took first place at the GISA Region 1-AAAA One-Act Play competition on Tuesday, October 30. The group presented “Left Unsaid,” - an original play written by TFS seniors Katie Anderson and Lizzy Wanner. The seasoned cast’s powerful performance meshed with a poetically powerful storyline led to the unexpected win. 

“When they said “Tallulah Falls,” we were completely shocked,” said co-playwright and cast member Wanner. “At first, there was no jumping up and celebrating – we were frozen in shock. The only thought going through my mind was that I needed to find Katie - we wrote it together. It was crazy to think that we wrote a play and won.” 

The competition also recognized five outstanding actors. Wanner and junior Jo Newell were both recognized. Two students from each school were selected for an all-star cast. Junior Charlie Harris and Anderson were selected. 

Following the win, the group gave three outstanding performances in the Gertrude Long Harris Theatre at TFS on Oct. 31, Nov. 1, and 2.

Performing Arts Director Jonathan Roberts suggested to Anderson and Wanner that they write a one-act play. The two spent the summer generating ideas and writing the script. The story came to life when they pulled out Anderson’s middle school journal, where she had created a basic plot line.

“I have always advocated for artists to create original work and encouraged students to find their voice,” said Roberts. “I recognized Lizzy and Katie's experience and skill set that might lend itself to them creating something from scratch - and they nailed it – they wrote it, and it is for their peers. That’s what makes it unique.”

Anderson said that the play is about finding friendship, finding your voice, and finding your place in the world and that it doesn't have to be a solo journey – you can do it with the help of others. “We also wanted to convey that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose; it matters who you affect,” she said.

Roberts said the TFS fine arts department is fortunate to have a solid core of veteran actors who could take on such a mature project and embrace the story. The Region 1-AAAA champions will take their performance to the state competition in Vidalia on Wednesday, November 13th.