EHS Theater Production brought to life “One Stoplight Town” by Tracy Wells for EHS students and Eaton community members. The Theater class showcased their talent with 3 nights of shows with great success and attendance. The students did a fantastic job bringing the story to life, making it a memorable experience for everyone who attended.
Every semester, the EHS theater production class works tirelessly to put together a unique and interesting play. Before “One Stoplight Town” took the limelight, there was “The Con”, a story set at Comic-Con about a series of vigilantes. Before that was “Game of Tiaras”, about princesses fighting for the throne.
Mrs Hixon, the theater teacher, explains her process in picking the production. ¨As soon as I read One Stoplight Town it was like Oh my gosh this is so Eaton. I kept picturing kids in each part and I knew we had to do this¨
“One Stoplight Town” starts with the installation of the very first traffic signal in a tiny town that in several ways resembles Eaton. That literal sign of progress sparks a variety of reactions among the people who live in the area.
The story follows the citizens of the unnamed town, which at first glance seems so sleepy and quiet that it is almost instantly forgettable. However, if someone were to stop at the only stoplight in the town and look around, they would notice that there is much more to it than just a grocery store and a diner.
From high school sweethearts to life-long friendships to age-old disagreements, the cast does a beautiful job of capturing the emotions that can be found in small towns all across the country and emphasizing the highs and lows of living in such isolated places.
Behind the scenes, Mrs. Hixon, the dedicated cast, and the hardworking crew poured their hearts and souls into making this play a success. Late nights were the norm leading up to the big performance as the team worked tirelessly to perfect every detail. Charlotte Spaid (24), a member of the cast, sheds light on the process, saying, “Rehearsals were five nights a week from 5:30 to 9:30. We ran lines, and went over scenes. Every time we stepped onto the stage, we were committed to embodying our character.”
Every late-night session was more than just practice, it was a chance to breathe life into their characters, to walk in their shoes, and to tell their story with authenticity. The result was a play that didn’t just unfold on the stage; it enveloped the audience in the heart and soul of a “One Stoplight Town”