Senior Zachery Freir-Harrison, who plays Jack in “English Made Simple,” participates in Paly in a Day in December of 2011. 

– Courtesy of Anne Barry

The Thespian Troupe No. 909 can look forward to performing its award-winning rendition of David Ive’s “English Made Simple” at the California State Thespian Conference in March, according to Palo Alto High School theater teacher Kathleen Woods.

The Paly Thespian’s Troupe performance of Ives’s One Act, a short play, won first place at the Northern California Thespian One Act Competition on Saturday, Jan. 28, according to Audrey Sechrest, the Director of Communications of 2011-2012 California State Student Thespian Board.

President of The Thespian Troupe senior Grace Barry said that, because of of their win, the One Act will be showcased at the state conference, March 23-25.

“English Made Simple” is a part of a set of One Acts called “All in the Timing,” which features two people and a narrator-like “Loudspeaker Voice” in several, humorous situations, according to director of the play, senior Zarek Seigel.

Barry and senior Zachary Freier-Harrison were featured as Jill and Jack, respectively. Sophomore Carly King took the part of the “Loudspeaker Voice.”

“There are different sections, like when we meet at the party for the first time, or when we’re an ex-couple reconnecting, or when we keep switching our information,” Barry said. “It’s kind of confusing to explain, but it’s very quick humor; it’s a little bit absurdist and makes you think.”

Both Barry and Siegel were delighted with the victory at the competition.

“I was absolutely thrilled with the results,” Barry said. “We were all a little shocked, I think, but I know we’re all so excited to take this piece to State Conference.”

Siegel echoed Barry’s sentiments.

“I was totally surprised and overjoyed that we won,” Siegel said. “This is actually the first thing I’ve ever directed — I usually act — but it went so well.” 

In spite of the rewarding outcome of the play, the entire production did not go without setbacks. Sigel noted that the original actress for Jill, junior Leah Bleich, had to drop out six days before the competition performance. In less than a week, Barry learned and memorized Bleich’s role.

“Despite the fact that we essentially had to start over from scratch a week before the performance, [Barry] she had her lines in less than three days and performed phenomenally,” Siegel said, calling Barry his “personal hero.”

“Zach and Carly, the other two actors, adapted really well, also,” he added. 

Besides finding both the results and the actual performance enjoyable and rewarding, Barry said that the other One Acts were also entertaining.

“Some were funny, some were sad, some were a little mind-twisting, but they each brought something really wonderful to the competition,” Barry said.

Overall, Woods said she is proud of the troupe’s win. However, the play will not be included in Paly’s annual One Act showcase, May 18-19.