CHS's Next Play Will Be a World Premiere! Preparing for One Act Competition!

Dear Theater Friends,

Hello! I am so excited to announce the play we will be preparing and performing for ONE ACT COMPETITION this year!

Red Dress Diaries is a newly published play by Coralie Cederna Johnson (yes, she's my mother! yes, she's a playwright!). Red Dress Diaries (RDD) is a collection of monologues and ensemble scenes. The play deals with a variety of social issues, handled with authenticity, integrity and sensitivity. The playwright has given voice to an array of characters, addressing such matters as bullying, peer pressure, racism, eating disorders, broken dreams...and many more.

This year the theme is "Drama" for One Act (last year it was "Comedy." It alternates year by year.) This will be an outstanding presentation for the competition.

Here are the top ten reasons I am so excited for us to work on and proudly present Red Dress Diaries for ONE ACT.

1) It is original work. No judges or audiences members will have seen it.

2) As a new play, this CHS production will be the World Premiere of RDD. There is prestige for this in the theater world, to have participated in a World Premiere.

3) Characters speak out and give voice to issues that are often not openly discussed. Great for raising social awareness.

4) There are opportunities for both solo and ensemble work in the play.

5) Actors will finish the process and have at least one monologue in their back pocket for future auditions.

6) The play is very flexible for interpretation for design, staging and character interpretation.

7) The material can be adapted for the players who are cast. For example, if we need an additional guy's monologue, it can be added.

8) Production costs will be extremely low. No need to pay royalties (thanks, MOM!). Costumes will be simple (red shirts, red dresses) with the addition of simple costume pieces added for effect in each scene. The set will not need to be ornate.

9) RDD has the opportunity to deeply affect the audience and judges. It is profound, courageous, and moving.

10) There are lots of opportunities for many students to be involved both onstage and behind the scenes.

I could go on, but let me get out the rest of the news!

Auditions were held last Friday, December 6, at CHS.

Here is the cast list!

• Mariel Arbogast-Wilson
• Brigitte Demelo
• Alex Duncan
• Noah Lee
• Katherine Moise
• Michelle Nimitz
• Meghan O’Neill
• Zia Pentescu
• Tom Ridley
• Lindsay Smith
• Audrey Timberlake